Name: Baklava Thumbprint Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temp; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon; 2 Tbsp water; 1 large egg yolk; 1 tsp vanilla; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 cup honey

Description

Baklava thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holiday season. All the flavors of classic baklava – honey, walnuts, cinnamon – in a sweet little cookie package.

Ingredients

Scale

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temp
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp water
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

Filling

1 3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup honey

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Prepare the filling first so it has time to set up. In a small non-reactive sauce pan, combine the sugar, water, and honey and place over medium-high heat. Bring the syrup mixture to a boil (watch closely because it will boil over).
Reduce the heat and simmer the syrup for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the syrup form the heat and stir in the chopped walnuts. Let the syrup cool while you make the cookies.
In the bowl to a stand mixer, beat the butter and the sugars until combined. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat to combine. Add the cinnamon and water and beat to combine. Add the flour and salt and mix until a dough forms.
Using a 1 Tbsp cookie scoop, divide the dough into 28 to 30 portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place on the prepared cookie sheets.
Gently press the center of each cookie ball down using your thumb or a 1/2 tsp measuring spoon.
Bake the cookies 8-10 minutes until light brown on the bottom. If the indention rises gently press it back down while the cookies are still warm.
Let the cookies cool five minutes and then transfer to a cookie rack to cool. While the cookies are still slightly warm scoop filling into the indentions.
Let the cookies cool completely and the filling firm up, about one hour.
Enjoy these spiced thumbprints with a little egg nog or coffee.

Notes

You can sub other nuts for the walnuts if you prefer.
You can add more flavoring to the syrup to mimic your favorite baklava – lemon peel, orange blossom or rose water.

Keywords: baklava, cookies, thumbprint cookies, baking