Coconut Caramel Shortbread Cookies- Bri

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups sweetened, flaked coconut
1/2 recipe of THIS caramel
a couple of pinches course sea salt

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat together your butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes); then beat in the vanilla and salt. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour and beat until just combined.

Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls.  Then, in one small bowl place your lightly beaten eggs. In another small bowl, place your coconut. Dip each ball first in the egg, then roll in the coconut.

Place balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press an indentation into each ball with your thumb, finger, or back of a wooden spoon. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and re-press the indentations. (Use caution since the cookies are hot.) Place the cookies back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until the cookies and coconut are golden.

Remove and let cool on a wire rack.  Spoon the caramel sauce into the cookie indentations. 

Once the cookies have completely cooled, sprinkle with sea salt and drizzle with melted chocolate.

Adapted from this recipe: http://inspiredbycharm.com/2014/09/salted-caramel-coconut-thumbprints-ibcfallcookieweek.html

Homemade Caramel- Bri

1 c. butter

2 c. packed brown sugar

2 cups half & half

1 c. corn syrup

1 t. vanilla

In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup; mix well. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium, continue stirring.

Keep a little cup with cold water to test the caramel. When the mixture has come together but is still soft when you drop a spoonful in the water, it is ready. Try testing it after it has boiled for about 10 minutes. Add the vanilla after removing from heat.

Source: http://www.hotoffthegarlicpress.com/2007/10/carmel-oaty-bars.html