DO I HAVE TO USE CARAMEL CANDY FOR THE THUMBPRINT WELLS?

No, you do not! You are welcome to use my recipe for salted caramel sauce and use that to fill the cookies instead. Just know that the filling will be a little looser than the one made from caramel candies, but the method of filling the cookies will be the same.

WHY DO MY THUMBPRINT COOKIES CRACK?

To avoid cracking, roll the balls of dough into very smooth balls, and gently press down with the measuring spoon to create each well. If the cookie dough cracks before baking, press the dough back together with your fingers before chilling.