Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies for Valentine’s Day | Made with Onda-Onda

Valentine’s Day calls for something thoughtful and homemade. These Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies deliver indulgence in every bite. They combine buttery biscuit with a glossy caramel centre. They look delicate, yet taste rich and comforting.

Dulce de leche sits at the heart of this recipe. This iconic caramel spread holds deep roots in Latin America, especially Argentina and Uruguay. Cooks slowly heat milk and sugar until the mixture thickens and darkens. The process creates a smooth caramel with deep, toasted flavour. Dulce de leche means “sweet milk,” but its taste feels far more luxurious.

Families spread dulce de leche on toast for breakfast. They sandwich it between alfajores and layer it into cakes. They also bake with it during holidays and celebrations. For baking, professionals choose dulce de leche repostero. This thicker style holds its shape in the oven and delivers a clean finish.

Onda-Onda dulce de leche provides the ideal texture for these cookies. It stays thick, smooth, and glossy while baking. It does not run or lose structure. That quality makes it perfect for thumbprint cookies, where presentation matters.

The dough uses simple pantry ingredients but produces impressive results. Butter and sugar create a tender crumb with rich flavour. Egg adds structure and softness. Vanilla enhances the caramel notes in the filling. The dough feels smooth and easy to shape.

Rolling the dough into small balls creates uniform cookies. Pressing a well into the centre forms the classic thumbprint shape. The first bake sets the biscuit structure without the filling. This step prevents the dulce de leche from bubbling or bursting. The second bake gently warms the Onda-Onda centre and finishes the cookies to a light golden colour.

Once cooled, the cookies offer the perfect contrast. The edges feel lightly crisp. The centre remains soft and creamy. Each bite delivers buttery biscuit and smooth caramel in balance.

Serve these cookies with coffee after dinner. Package them in a gift box for a romantic gesture. They feel elegant, nostalgic, and comforting at the same time. Most importantly, they showcase the rich texture of Onda-Onda dulce de leche.

Bake them once, and they may become your Valentine’s tradition.

Method

1. Cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
3. Add the flour and baking powder. Knead until you form a soft, even dough.
4. Roll the dough into small balls. Place them on a lined baking tray.
5. Press a small well into the centre of each ball using your thumb.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 5 minutes without the filling.
7. Remove from the oven and fill each well with Onda-Onda dulce de leche.
8. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes until lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.

Do not add the dulce de leche before the first bake. The filling may bubble or split.

These Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies offer flavour, tradition, and romance in one bite.

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Graphics by @ximezara

What is dulce de leche? Dulce de Leche – What’s it All About? or read more on Wikip