Growing up, Twix bars were my absolute favorite candy, so when I discovered I could capture those beloved flavors in cookie form, I was thrilled beyond words. These Twix thumbprint cookies combine buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate into bite-sized pieces of heaven. The first time I made them for a family gathering, they disappeared faster than any dessert I’d ever brought, with everyone asking for the recipe before the afternoon ended.
What Makes Twix Thumbprint Cookies Special
Thumbprint cookies are classic for good reason—they’re visually appealing, texturally interesting, and endlessly customizable. This Twix-inspired version takes the traditional concept and elevates it with flavors reminiscent of the iconic candy bar. The combination of crisp shortbread edges, a tender center, smooth caramel filling, and chocolate topping creates a symphony of textures in every bite.
What I love most about these caramel chocolate cookies is how they look as impressive as they taste. The little indentation filled with glossy caramel and topped with chocolate makes them perfect for holiday cookie platters, bake sales, or any occasion where you want to wow people with your baking skills.
Understanding the Perfect Shortbread Cookie Base
The foundation of great Twix thumbprint cookies is a properly made shortbread dough. Unlike chewy cookies that rely on brown sugar and extra moisture, shortbread gets its distinctive texture from the high ratio of butter to flour and the use of granulated sugar.
The key to shortbread is minimal mixing. Over-working the dough develops gluten, which leads to tough cookies instead of the tender, crumbly texture we’re after. Mix just until the ingredients come together, and you’ll be rewarded with melt-in-your-mouth results.
Ingredients for Twix Thumbprint Cookies
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these delightful cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 35 soft chewy caramel candies
- 2 tbs heavy cream
- 4 oz melting wafers (chocolate)
Each ingredient serves a specific purpose in creating that perfect Twix cookie experience. The butter provides rich flavor, the egg yolks add tenderness, and the caramels melt into that signature gooey center.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Twix Cookies
Preparing the Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking across all your thumbprint cookies.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the dough and should take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. The mixture should be pale and noticeably increased in volume.
Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated. The egg yolks contribute richness and help bind the dough together without adding excess moisture that would change the texture.
Mixing the Shortbread Dough
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. This ensures even distribution of the salt throughout your cookie dough. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture gradually, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together.
The dough should be cohesive but not sticky. If it feels too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes to firm up. Working with properly chilled dough makes shaping the cookies much easier.
Shaping Your Thumbprint Cookies
Roll the dough into balls approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
Here’s where these cookies get their name: use your thumb or the back of a rounded teaspoon to create an indentation in the center of each ball. Press down about halfway through the cookie, creating a well that will hold the caramel filling.
If the dough cracks around the edges when you make the indentation, gently press the cracks together with your fingers. Some cracking is normal with shortbread dough.
Baking to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. The centers should still look pale. Watch them carefully, as shortbread can go from perfectly baked to over-baked quickly.
Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately re-press the indentations if they’ve puffed up during baking. This ensures you have plenty of room for the caramel filling.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Preparing the Caramel Filling
While your cookies cool, prepare the caramel. Unwrap all your caramel candies—this is a great task for kids to help with! Place the caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the caramels are completely melted and smooth. The heavy cream helps thin the caramel slightly, making it easier to work with and creating a smoother texture.
Filling the Thumbprint Cookies
Once your cookies are completely cool, carefully spoon the melted caramel into each indentation. Fill them generously but not so much that the caramel overflows. The caramel will firm up as it cools but will remain soft and chewy.
If your caramel starts to firm up before you’ve filled all the cookies, simply microwave it again for 10-15 seconds to restore the proper consistency.
Adding the Chocolate Topping
Melt your chocolate melting wafers according to package directions. I prefer using melting wafers because they set up firm and shiny without tempering, but you can use regular chocolate chips if needed.
You have several options for applying the chocolate. You can drizzle it over the caramel using a spoon or a piping bag, create a swirl pattern, or even dip the entire top of the cookie in chocolate. Any approach looks beautiful and tastes delicious.
Allow the chocolate to set completely before storing. This usually takes about 30 minutes at room temperature, or you can refrigerate them for faster setting.
Nutritional Information
Per cookie (makes approximately 35 cookies):
- Calories: 145
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 65mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 19g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 2g
Creative Variations for Thumbprint Cookies
Dark Chocolate Twix Cookies
Use dark chocolate melting wafers instead of milk chocolate for a more sophisticated flavor profile. The slight bitterness of dark chocolate balances the sweet caramel beautifully.
Salted Caramel Twix Cookies
Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel before adding the chocolate layer. The salt enhances all the flavors and adds a gourmet touch to these homemade cookies.
Peanut Butter Twix Thumbprint Cookies
Add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to your cookie dough for a subtle peanut butter flavor that complements the caramel. This creates a flavor reminiscent of Twix’s peanut butter variety.
Mini Twix Cookies
Make smaller dough balls for bite-sized cookies perfect for parties. You’ll get about 50-60 mini cookies from the same batch of dough. Adjust baking time to 8-10 minutes.
Tips for Perfect Thumbprint Cookies Every Time
Room temperature butter is crucial for proper creaming. Butter that’s too cold won’t incorporate air properly, while melted butter will change the texture entirely. The butter should be soft enough to leave an indent when pressed but still hold its shape.
Don’t skip the egg yolks—they’re essential for the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of these shortbread cookies. Whole eggs would add too much moisture and change the consistency.
Re-pressing the indentations right after baking ensures a good pocket for the caramel. The cookies are still warm and pliable enough to reshape without cracking.
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
Store Twix thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent the caramel from sticking to other cookies.
You can freeze the baked, unfilled cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw completely, then add the caramel and chocolate. This makes them perfect for holiday preparation when you want to spread out the work.
The dough itself can be frozen as well. Shape the dough balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Serving Suggestions for Cookie Platters
These caramel chocolate cookies are stunning on holiday cookie trays. Arrange them alongside sugar cookies, gingerbread, and other holiday favorites for a beautiful variety of colors and flavors.
For elegant entertaining, serve them on a tiered stand with coffee or tea. Their sophisticated appearance makes them suitable for even the fanciest occasions.
At casual gatherings, pile them in a decorative tin or basket. Their sturdy structure makes them perfect for cookie exchanges or bake sales.
Perfect Occasions for Twix Cookies
These thumbprint cookies are ideal for:
- Holiday cookie exchanges
- Valentine’s Day treats
- Mother’s Day celebrations
- Bake sales and fundraisers
- Wedding or shower dessert tables
- Hostess gifts
- Afternoon tea parties
Pairing Recommendations
Twix thumbprint cookies pair wonderfully with:
- Strong black coffee
- Hot chocolate with marshmallows
- Vanilla chai tea
- Cold milk
- Caramel-flavored coffee drinks
The buttery richness calls for beverages that can stand up to their intensity. The slight bitterness of coffee particularly complements the sweet caramel.
Making These Cookies with Children
This recipe is wonderful for baking with kids. They can help mix the dough, roll the balls, and make the thumbprints. The caramel and chocolate steps require adult supervision, but children love watching the transformation as these elements are added.
Making the thumbprints is especially fun for little ones—they’re amazed that their thumbs create the perfect indentation for the filling!
Troubleshooting Common Cookie Issues
If your cookies spread too much during baking, your butter was too warm or you didn’t chill the dough enough. Next time, refrigerate the shaped cookies for 15 minutes before baking.
If the edges brown too quickly while the centers remain pale, your oven temperature is too high. Use an oven thermometer to verify accuracy, and reduce the temperature by 25°F if needed.
If the caramel won’t stay in the indentations, you may not have made them deep enough or re-pressed them after initial baking. The wells need to be substantial enough to hold the filling.
Why This Recipe Works
The high butter content creates that classic shortbread texture we associate with cookies like Twix bars. The combination of granulated sugar with egg yolks produces cookies that are crisp around the edges yet tender in the middle.
Using melting wafers for the chocolate ensures a smooth, glossy finish that sets up properly without tempering. This professional touch makes these cookies look bakery-quality.
The soft caramel candies melt smoothly with just a touch of cream, creating the perfect consistency that’s not too runny but still has that signature caramel chewiness.
My Personal Cooking Tip
Here’s my secret for the most beautiful Twix thumbprint cookies: after shaping the dough balls, roll them gently between your palms one more time just before making the indentation. This quick extra roll ensures they’re perfectly round with no cracks or seams. When making the thumbprint, press straight down and then give a very gentle twist—this creates a smooth, deep well that holds caramel beautifully. If you’re making these for a special occasion, use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the caramel after filling each cookie. This creates an extra-polished look. Finally, for the most professional chocolate drizzle, transfer melted chocolate to a plastic sandwich bag, snip off a tiny corner, and pipe thin lines across the cookies. With these small extra steps, your homemade cookies will look like they came straight from a fancy bakery!
