If you adore the perfect balance of sweet and salty in your baked treats, this Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These cookies marry the buttery softness of classic cookies with luscious caramel swirls and just a pinch of sea salt that makes every bite a mouthwatering experience. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or impressing friends at your next gathering, this recipe delivers that irresistible gooey caramel hit wrapped in soft, chewy cookie goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe is a breeze, and each element plays a starring role. From the richness of unsalted butter to the delightful touch of sea salt flakes, everything combines to create cookies with depth, texture, and unbeatable flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides a creamy base that keeps the cookies tender and rich.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Adds sweetness and helps the cookies achieve a lightly crisp edge.
- Brown sugar (3/4 cup, packed): Brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that deepens the cookie’s character.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything together and adds structure for the perfect chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavors and adds warmth with its fragrant aroma.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Gives the cookies their body and chew, the foundation of that classic cookie feel.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft, airy bite.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and boosts the caramel’s rich flavor.
- Caramel sauce (1 cup, plus extra for drizzling): The star ingredient that folds into the dough, creating pockets of gooey caramel throughout.
- Sea salt flakes (1 teaspoon, for sprinkling): The final flourish that delivers that signature salted caramel punch in every bite.
How to Make Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make life easier by lining your baking sheet with parchment paper — this prevents sticking and helps your cookies bake evenly.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is key for giving your cookies that soft, tender bite.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined. These ingredients add moisture and enhance the overall flavor, making your cookies taste homemade and irresistible.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl. Slowly incorporate this dry mix into your wet mixture, being careful not to overmix — just enough to bring the dough together.
Step 5: Fold in the Caramel Sauce
Gently fold in one cup of caramel sauce, creating rich caramel ribbons throughout the dough. This ensures each bite offers that luscious, gooey caramel surprise.
Step 6: Portion the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the baking sheet, giving them about two inches of space to spread during baking.
Step 7: Sprinkle the Sea Salt
Before baking, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt flakes on each cookie dough ball. This simple touch heightens the salted caramel magic, balancing sweetness with a delicate crunch.
Step 8: Bake Until Perfect
Place your baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching carefully for golden edges and slightly soft centers that promise chewy perfection when cooled.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Remove your cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely — this step helps them set beautifully without losing any caramel gooeyness.
Step 10: Drizzle Extra Caramel
For the ultimate finish, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the cooled cookies. This elevates the treats, making them as visually stunning as they are delicious.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra-special presentation, sprinkle a few more sea salt flakes over the drizzled caramel or add a light dusting of powdered sugar. Both add charm and highlight the salted caramel flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm cup of coffee or tea. The creamy, bittersweet contrast makes every bite of the Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe feel like a decadent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Make a dessert platter by stacking these cookies with small bowls of caramel sauce for dipping. Another fun idea is to sandwich two cookies together with a caramel or cream filling for a delightful cookie sandwich twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Salted Caramel Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. The cookies stay soft and the caramel ribbons remain pleasantly gooey, perfect for snacking anytime.
Freezing
To freeze, place your cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. This prevents them from sticking together and keeps them fresh for up to three months.
Reheating
Warm frozen cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven softness and melt the caramel just right.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Absolutely! Using good-quality store-bought caramel sauce saves time and still delivers fantastic flavor in your Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe. Just make sure it’s smooth and pourable for easy mixing.
What if I don’t have sea salt flakes?
If you don’t have sea salt flakes, you can use a fine sea salt or even kosher salt. Just use a little less since the texture and saltiness are slightly stronger and coarser flakes make a nicer finish.
How do I prevent the caramel from sinking to the bottom?
Folding the caramel gently into the dough helps keep it evenly distributed. If it’s too runny, chilling the dough briefly before baking can reduce sinking as well.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Yes! Substitute the butter for a plant-based option, use a flax egg or another egg replacer, and pick a vegan caramel sauce. The texture might vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious!
Why are my cookies not soft?
Overbaking is usually the culprit when cookies come out hard. Make sure to take them out of the oven when edges are golden but centers still look a bit soft—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that combines simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat. Whether you’re baking for fun or impressing guests, these cookies deliver that perfect sweet-salty caramel bliss that everyone will rave about. Grab your ingredients and get ready to bake some of the most luscious, tender cookies you’ve ever tasted—you won’t regret it!
Print
Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 12m
- Total Time: 0h 27m
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these rich and chewy Salted Caramel Cookies, where buttery cookie dough is swirled with luscious caramel sauce and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes for a perfect sweet and salty treat. Baked to golden perfection, these cookies feature a soft center and crisp edges, finished with an irresistible caramel drizzle for an extra indulgent touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Topping
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes (for sprinkling on top)
- Extra caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and light in color, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. Continue beating until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Caramel Sauce: Gently fold in 1 cup of caramel sauce into the cookie dough, distributing it evenly throughout without breaking down the caramel texture.
- Form Cookie Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Sprinkle Salt: Before baking, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt flakes on top of each cookie dough ball to enhance the salted caramel flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should be golden around the edges with slightly soft centers for a chewy texture.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Drizzle Caramel: Once cooled, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the cookies for an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake by removing them from the oven at 10 minutes instead of 12.
- Ensure the caramel sauce used is thick enough to hold with the dough and for drizzling.
- Sea salt flakes add a delicate crunch and enhance flavor; if unavailable, substitute with coarse kosher salt sparingly.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- You can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
