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Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche

December 18, 2020 By Patricia 96 Comments

You’ll find Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche combine chocolate with spices and a caramel filling for a cookie that will impress! These are easy to make, but they stand out in a sea of goodies.

Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche make an incredible treat, and are easy to make!

These Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche started out in my head with a nostalgic feel. My parents always made thumbprint cookies for special occasions when I was a kid – they’re so pretty and colorful depending on how you fill them. 

Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche make an amazing treat any time of year.

For some reason, when I was young, I didn’t really love those thumbprint cookies. I guess I was always on the lookout for the chocolate! If you love chocolate cookies like I do, check out my recipe for Dark Chocolate Brownie Drop Cookies for a chocolate fix times 10! As an adult, I love thumbprint cookies the way my parents made them: rolled in chopped almonds and filled with fruity jam (note to self: make these!). 

Grab a glass of milk for these spiced Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche!

I decided to create a version of thumbprint cookies that includes the chocolate I love so much, right in the cookie, with some cinnamon and spice added for fun. I used prepared dulce de leche to fill them and to take the flavor combo over the top. This version of thumbprint cookies? Definitely my kind of cookie! The slight zing from the chili powder combines perfectly with cinnamon, chocolate, and of course, the dulce de leche (you can find canned dulce de leche in the Hispanic aisle at many grocery stores).

A little spice is nice, like in these Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche

Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche are really easy to make, and this version, like my parents’, is perfect for special occasions, too. I like the spices, chocolate, and the caramel goodness, especially at this time of year. The holiday season is here, and these cookies would make a nice addition to any cookie tray you set out.

Do you love cookies, or are you looking for a new treat to make for the holidays? Try one of my favorites like Linzer Cookies with Homemade Orange Marmalade (perfect for the holidays), Lemon Iced Gingersnap Cookies (gluten free), or Cinnamon Pretzel Crunch Sugar Cookies.

Nutrition

Calories

1605 cal

Fat

70 g

Carbs

215 g

Protein

39 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Yields 3

Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche

These cookies are easy to make, and they will impress at any special occasion. Perfect for the holiday season!

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5 based on 6 review(s)

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Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose baking flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, plus extra to roll cookies in
  • 1/8 teaspoon chili powder, plus extra to roll cookies in
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground espresso
  • 1-1/8 cup sugar, plus extra to roll cookies in
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 (13.4-ounce can) dulce de leche caramel (typically in the Hispanic aisle in many grocery stores)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon chili powder, salt, and espresso. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  2. In a stand mixer (or use a hand held mixer), blend the 1-1/8 cup sugar, butter, melted chocolate, and the eggs, adding one at a time. Mix on medium speed until combined.
  3. Add the dry mixture, a little at a time, to the sugar mixture. Mix on low until combined.
  4. Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes.
  5. Combine about 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of the chili powder in a shallow bowl. Mix with a fork or small whisk until combined. Adjust seasoning to your liking.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Roll the chilled dough into 1-1/2-inch balls and roll in the sugar mixture. Place on unlined, ungreased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart. Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of the cookie.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are slightly firm.
  8. Remove from the oven. You’ll likely need to re-form the indentation. Use the back of a spoon to do this while they’re still hot.
  9. Allow the cookies to sit for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. When cool, fill the cookies with the dulce de leche, about 1/2 teaspoon worth for each.
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https://www.azgrabaplate.com/chocolate-chili-thumbprint-cookies-with-dulce-de-leche/

Filed Under: Dessert, Recipes Tagged With: chocolate, Cookies, dessert, dulce de leche

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Comments

  1. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    October 21, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Ooh yes, a big dollop of dulce de leche is amazing! Love the addition of chilli powder too, so yummy.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 21, 2015 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks so much, Becca :)
      Reply
  2. Angie Stone says

    October 21, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    These look awesome! I can't wait to try!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 21, 2015 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks, Angie!
      Reply
  3. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

    October 21, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    These cookies look like trouble! I would not be able to stop at one!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:37 pm

      Haha! Yes! Great way to describe them, Anna! Thanks for stopping by :)
      Reply
  4. Florian @ContentednessCooking says

    October 21, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    What a fabulous combination of chili and chocolate flavors. Those look amazing!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:37 pm

      Thanks very much, Florian!
      Reply
  5. Debi @ Life Currents says

    October 21, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    These look and sound so good! I can't wait to try them. I've always loved the idea of chili flavors in my sweets chocolate treats! And, you topped it all off with dulce de leche! Awesome!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks, Debi! I loooooove the chocolate-chili combo. And the dulce de leche? No question!
      Reply
  6. Emily says

    October 21, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    These remind of ben and jerry's core ice cream but in cookie form, want some of that mouthwatering dulce de leche filling now!!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      Oh!!! I need to look for that, Emily! My kind of dessert! Thanks for stopping by!
      Reply
  7. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says

    October 21, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    Love the unique take on a thumbprint cookie - these look delicious!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks, Kathryn!
      Reply
  8. Debra @ Bowl Me Over says

    October 22, 2015 at 1:05 am

    Can't imagine how yummy these cookies are - glass of milk? Perfect!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks, Debra! DEFINITELY a glass of milk with them :)
      Reply
  9. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says

    October 22, 2015 at 1:18 am

    Those look scrumptious!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you, Cynthia! :)
      Reply
  10. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says

    October 22, 2015 at 1:59 am

    These are amazing Patricia!!! I love the chocolate with dulce de leche. Fantastic recipe and photos.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks so very much, Allie!
      Reply
  11. Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says

    October 22, 2015 at 2:53 am

    Such a nice combo, the spiciness, the sweetness from the caramel and the chocolate flavor, these cookies are a keeper.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:34 pm

      Thank you, Katalina! I really like them, AND how easy they are to make!
      Reply
  12. Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:07 am

    Great idea to kick them up a notch with the chili powder!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks so much, Deb!
      Reply
  13. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:24 am

    Oh wow, what a fabulous combination of flavors! I would love to have several of these right now with a glass of milk!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Hi Kimberly! Thanks so much! Yes, you'll definitely need a glass of milk to go with these ;)
      Reply
  14. Kaitie says

    October 22, 2015 at 10:52 am

    I love these! They sound amazing and they're prefect for after dinner as a light dessert (if you don't want a lot of something).
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Hi Katie - thank you! They would make a nice dessert!
      Reply
  15. christine says

    October 22, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    Ooooh, this is a great cookie for the holidays. Finally something different than what I usually make. I've been on the hunt for something new and yum.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:32 pm

      Same here, Christine! AND they're easy to make! Thanks for stopping by!
      Reply
  16. peter @feedyoursoultoo says

    October 22, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    The dulce de leche just makes these cookies so good.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 2:32 pm

      Thanks so much, Peter! So rich!
      Reply
  17. Angie says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    YUM! I love Chili and Chocolate together. So yum.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 22, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Me too! Thanks so much, Angie! :)
      Reply
  18. Ludmilla @brazilianflairintheusablog says

    October 22, 2015 at 5:42 pm

    I am from Brazil and I LOVE dulce de leche!! I love the combination with chilli powder!! Looks delicious!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 12:37 am

      Hi Ludmilla! That's great to hear - thanks for the kind words!
      Reply
  19. Kimberly Bonham says

    October 22, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Yummy! Looks sooo good!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 12:37 am

      Thanks a bunch, Kimberly!
      Reply
  20. Kam Kay says

    October 22, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    These cookies look amazing. Perfect for holiday party potlucks or casual outings.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 12:36 am

      Thank you! I thought they'd make a nice addition to the holiday cookie platters!
      Reply
  21. Leah says

    October 22, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    What a great combo in these cookies! Yum!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 12:36 am

      Thanks so much, Leah!
      Reply
  22. Heather Blaise says

    October 22, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    HI! Great post and site! I found you on FB GYB page. Let me know if you'd like to collaborate, be a guest writer, or get together to do a giveaway with some other bloggers, just support each other in some way. My site is www.4hourbodygirl.com. All the best, Heather
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 23, 2016 at 4:18 am

      Hi Heather! Thanks so much! Glad to "meet" you! I'll stop by your site!
      Reply
  23. Amanda | The Chunky Chef says

    October 23, 2015 at 12:41 am

    These look like they'd be so perfect with a mug of coffee :)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Oh yeah! Quite a treat! Thanks, Amanda!
      Reply
  24. Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says

    October 23, 2015 at 4:03 am

    As a kid I loved thumbprint cookies (still do), but hated dulce de leche. I love it now...good thing our tastes change. I love these.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Isn't that how it works, Michelle! I still need to go back and make some "original" thumbprints! Thanks for coming by!
      Reply
  25. Dee says

    October 23, 2015 at 6:25 am

    These look amazing, and adding chili powder sounds good to me!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 4:11 pm

      Thanks, Dee! I really liked the added kick :)
      Reply
  26. Manal Obieda says

    October 23, 2015 at 6:34 am

    I love the addition o the chili to enhance the flavor...they pics are so tempting!!!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 4:11 pm

      Thanks, Manal!
      Reply
  27. Sarah says

    October 23, 2015 at 9:29 am

    I kept seeing these pop up all over my pinterest so it was time to stop by and say how AMAZING these look! That dulce de leche caramel looks insanely good!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 4:11 pm

      Thanks so much, Sarah! Hope you give them a try (they're super easy to make)!
      Reply
  28. Claire says

    October 23, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    This sound SO good! What a unique flavour combo!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 23, 2015 at 4:09 pm

      Thank you, Claire!
      Reply
  29. Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says

    October 23, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    The flavors in this cookie sound like so much fun. It sounds unusual in creative, and I'm really imagining something that tastes awesome!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 24, 2015 at 12:40 am

      Thank you, Rachel! Hope you give them a try and enjoy!
      Reply
  30. Katerina @ Diethood says

    October 23, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    I pinned these the other day to several of my boards so that I don't forget to make them around Christmas time! SO GORGEOUS!!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 24, 2015 at 12:40 am

      Great idea! Thanks so much, Katerina!
      Reply
  31. Kristyn says

    October 23, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    These sound delightfully unique! Thanks for sharing! :)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 24, 2015 at 12:40 am

      Thanks so much, Kristyn!
      Reply
  32. Noor says

    October 24, 2015 at 2:45 am

    Love the chili chocolate combination. And the caramel looks soo tempting!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 24, 2015 at 3:32 am

      Thanks so much, Noor!
      Reply
  33. GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says

    October 25, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    I'm going to try a dairy free version of this ASAP, because I NEED these in my life!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2015 at 1:50 am

      Hi Giselle! Glad you can adapt them! Let me know how you like them! Thanks!
      Reply
  34. Sabrina says

    November 5, 2015 at 2:28 am

    THis looks delicious! WIll definitely be making this!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 5, 2015 at 2:55 am

      Thank you, Sabrina! I hope you like them!
      Reply
  35. Les @ The Balanced Berry says

    November 5, 2015 at 4:48 am

    These look INCREDIBLE!!!! Definitely pinning these for my holiday baking list :)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 5, 2015 at 10:57 pm

      Thanks, Les! I hope you do - they're perfect for the holidays! :)
      Reply
  36. Isabel @ From Cats to Cooking says

    November 9, 2015 at 2:05 am

    I love cookies and these look absolutely delicious! Definitely going to put these on my holiday menu :)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 9, 2015 at 3:51 am

      Thanks so much, Isabel! I think that's a good idea ;) Always room for something new!
      Reply
  37. Melanie says

    December 18, 2020 at 11:14 am

    You had me at Dulce de Leche! These look delicious and really have me craving a cookie right now.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      :) Thanks, Melanie!
      Reply
  38. Tisha says

    December 18, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    These definitely will not last long with my family. They look incredible!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      That's awesome! Thanks, Tisha!
      Reply
  39. Amanda says

    December 18, 2020 at 6:09 pm

    These look so darn delicious, I can't wait to make them with my family!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      Thanks, Amanda! Hope you all love them!
      Reply
  40. Kimberly says

    December 18, 2020 at 6:31 pm

    These look and sound positively drool-worthy, making these this weekend!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      December 20, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      Thanks so much!
      Reply
  41. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

    December 18, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    These Chocolate-Chili Thumbprint Cookies would disappear in our house!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      They are popular in my house, too! :)
      Reply
  42. Deborah Brooks says

    December 18, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    Now those are my kind of chocolate cookies! can't wait to try these soon
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      A fun and tasty treat, for sure!
      Reply
  43. Michelle says

    December 18, 2020 at 9:30 pm

    These look absolutely scrumptious! I just might have to do some baking this weekend!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      Hope you try them and enjoy!
      Reply
  44. Helen Little says

    December 18, 2020 at 10:37 pm

    How delicious they look! I love dulce de leche and cookies so what a combo!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      Sweet treats, for sure! Thank you, Helen!
      Reply
  45. Marina says

    December 19, 2020 at 5:32 am

    Om these look so yummy. Will have to skip some ingredients but will definetely try them x
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      December 20, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      Thanks so much!
      Reply
  46. Catalina says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    I have some dulce de leche and these cookies would be the perfect afternoon snack for my family!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 5:58 pm

      Perfect! I hope you try them!
      Reply
  47. Sandra says

    December 21, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    These are so perfect!! A delicious treat or gift idea for the holidays!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 1, 2021 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks so much, Sandra!
      Reply
  48. Beth says

    December 21, 2020 at 2:13 pm

    These chocolate thumbprints are delicious. I just made a batch for my family and they just love them!!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      December 28, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks, Beth! I'm please everyone enjoyed them!
      Reply

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I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

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