dulce de leche (caramel) filled shortbread cookies
These are the most delicious and easiest cookies I have ever made and tasted. Over the years, I have come to appreciate shorter versions of dishes that I use to spend loads of time preparing. The ideal result for me is a treat or dish that is delicious, one everyone enjoys, and one that I didn’t spend days or many hours preparing. These cookies are that special. I use to make the Dulce de Leche filling on top of the stove mixing whole milk, sugar, vanilla beans, etc,& watching and stirring occasionally for about 3 hours. Granted it was delicious. This too is delicious & easier -no stiring!
Blue Ribbon Recipe
We LOVE this homemade dulce de leche! It's so good I could just eat it by the spoonful. These delicious cookies are really easy to make, just be sure to keep an eye on them while they're in the oven so they don't burn.
Ingredients For dulce de leche (caramel) filled shortbread cookies
- COOKIES
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2 call-purpose flour
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1/4 tspsalt
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1 c(2 sticks) unsalted butter (not margarine) at room temperature
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1/2 cconfectioners sugar
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1 tsppure vanilla extract (not imitation)
- FILLING
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1 cansweetened condensed milk
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1 pinchkosher salt
How To Make dulce de leche (caramel) filled shortbread cookies
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1FOR THE COOKIES: In a medium size bowl whisk the flour with the salt. In a larger bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract. -
2Gently beat in the flour mixture just until incorporated. Flatten the dough into a disk shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill the dough for at least an hour, or until firm.
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3Preheat oven to 350 degrees F - with the rack in the middle of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Using a lightly floured 1-1/2 or 2 inch round cookie cutter, cut dough. Place on baking sheets and put in refrigerator for about 15 minutes - this firms the dough and helps cookies keep shape while baking. Bake in preheated oven for 7-10 minutes until edges of cookies are light brown. Cool on a cooling rack. Makes 24-36 unfilled cookies.
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4FOR THE FILLING: Empty the contents of a can of sweetened condensed milk into an oven-proof dish; sprinkle with some kosher salt and tightly cover it with foil.
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5Place the covered dish in a larger roasting or casserole pan and fill it up with water until it reaches three quarters of the way up the covered dish to create a water bath. Bake at 425 degrees F for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, checking every 30 minutes on the water level and adding more as needed. NOTE: Dulce de Leche is ready when it takes on a brown and caramel-like appearance. Remove from the oven and whisk to smoothness. Let cool before filling and/or storing. This filling will keep in the refrigerator at a least a week. Yummy!
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6To make sandwich cookies, spread the cooled Dulce de Leche filling on the flat side of a cookie. (Don't spread it thick or it will ooze out when you put on the top). Then top with another cookie - flat side on top of filling. Sprinkle cookies with confectioners' sugar. FOR ANOTHER TREAT: You can make a Butter Cream Frosting for a yellow or caramel cake using the Dulce de Leche filling, by adding powdered sugar, butter and cream.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
