Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies

INGREDIENTS

For the dough:

1 cup

unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 oz

cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup

brown sugar

1/2 cup

granulated sugar

1 tbsp

vanilla extract

1/2 cup

pecans, finely chopped

1/4 tsp

salt

2 1/2 cups

all-purpose flour

For the filling:

1/4 cup

(2 oz.) unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup

granulated sugar

1/4 cup

light corn syrup

large egg yolk

2 tsp

vanilla extract (or bourbon)

coarse salt

1 cup

pecans, coarsely chopped

For the caramel drizzle:

4 oz

caramel candies, unwrapped

2 tbsp

heavy cream, plus more as needed