Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe
If you are craving the perfect dessert that balances sweet, salty, and buttery flavors with a delightful chewy texture, this Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Each bite bursts with luscious caramel pockets and a gentle crunch of sea salt, making these cookies irresistibly addictive and a must-try for anyone who loves a little gourmet twist on classic homemade cookies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first fun step to creating these incredible cookies. Each component plays a crucial role, from the rich butter that creates tenderness to the caramel chips that deliver gooey surprises in every bite.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy structure that holds the cookie together without being heavy.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise perfectly, giving them a soft interior with a slight lift.
- 1 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors beautifully.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture, ensuring each cookie is tender and buttery.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Contributes to a crisp texture and subtle sweetness.
- ¾ cup brown sugar: Brings moisture and deep caramel-like notes to the dough.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and create an amazing chewy texture when at room temperature.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses warm, aromatic flavors that tie the cookie elements together.
- 1 cup caramel chips: Create those luscious gooey caramel pockets we all dream about.
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional): Add extra richness and a melty chocolate surprise.
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt: The secret ingredient for a satisfying sweet-salty contrast on top.
How to Make Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe
Step 1: Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Dry Mix
Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Mixing these dry ingredients thoroughly at this stage ensures even baking and flavor distribution throughout your dough.
Step 3: Creaming
In a separate large bowl, cream your softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. The creaming process is crucial because it introduces air, helping your cookies become tender and have that perfect crumb.
Step 4: Wet Mix
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This step creates a smooth dough base full of rich flavor and moisture.
Step 5: Combine
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so keep it light and gentle for the best texture.
Step 6: Mix-ins
Fold in the caramel chips and, if you’re using them, the chocolate chips. This is the moment your cookies gain their signature gooey caramel moments, with optional chocolate adding an extra level of indulgence.
Step 7: Shaping
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, place dollops of dough about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Proper spacing helps cookies spread beautifully without merging together.
Step 8: Topping
Sprinkle each cookie generously with flaky sea salt. This topping not only makes your cookies look irresistible but also adds that crucial contrast to the sweetness, enhancing every bite.
Step 9: Baking
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn a lovely golden color while the centers remain soft. Timing is everything for that perfect balance between chewy and crisp.
Step 10: Cooling
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set perfectly while keeping the insides soft and delectably tender.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a touch more flaky sea salt on the cookies just before serving to enhance their flavor profile and provide a stunning finish. You can also drizzle a little extra caramel sauce if you want to amplify the indulgence further.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a robust cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creamy elements of these sides complement the cookie’s rich caramel and buttery flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few cookies with a scoop of ice cream sandwiched between them for a fun and festive dessert. For a party, serve mini versions garnished with caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt on elegant platters to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover salted caramel cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their chewy texture and keep the caramel chips soft and gooey for up to a week.
Freezing
You can freeze the raw cookie dough balls or fully baked cookies. Store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Thaw baked cookies at room temperature or warm gently in the oven to revive their fresh-baked goodness.
Reheating
Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies for a few seconds in the microwave or briefly in a preheated oven. This trick brings out the melty caramel and gives them that freshly baked warmth that’s so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I substitute salted butter for unsalted butter in this Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe?
Yes, but reduce the added salt by about half to prevent the cookies from becoming overly salty since salted butter already contains salt.
What’s the best way to prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and chill the dough briefly if it seems too soft before baking. This helps cookies hold their shape while still baking to tender perfection.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of caramel chips?
You can try adding dollops of caramel sauce, but it may cause the dough to spread more and the texture to be different. Caramel chips are designed to hold their shape and offer those gooey pockets just right.
How do I achieve the perfect chewy texture?
Using a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar ensures moisture and crispness balance out, and avoiding overbaking keeps them soft in the middle with slightly crisp edges.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?
Absolutely! Baked cookies freeze well and can be enjoyed after reheating with nearly the same fresh-baked taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe is an absolute joy to bake and even more incredible to eat. Whether for a cozy night in, a celebration, or just because you deserve a sweet treat, these cookies deliver that perfect mix of flavors and textures everyone will adore. Go ahead, give them a try—you might just find your new signature dessert.
Print
Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Salted Caramel Cookie recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with gooey caramel pockets and a hint of chocolate. Soft on the inside with crisp edges, these cookies are a delicious treat ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (Provides structure)
- 1 tsp baking soda (Helps cookies rise)
- 1 tsp salt (Balances sweetness)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (Softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (Adds crisp texture)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (Adds moisture and caramel flavor)
- 2 large eggs (Room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (Enhances flavor)
Add-ins
- 1 cup caramel chips (For gooey caramel pockets)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (Optional for richness)
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt (For sweet-salty contrast)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Dry Mix: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Creaming: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process helps create a tender texture.
- Wet Mix: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or fold gently until just combined to prevent overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Mix-ins: Fold in the caramel chips and chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough for pockets of gooey caramel and bursts of chocolate.
- Shaping: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Topping: Lightly sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt to enhance the sweet and salty contrast in each bite.
- Baking: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain soft.
- Cooling: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breakage.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature eggs and softened butter to ensure proper mixing.
- You can substitute caramel chips with chopped soft caramel candies if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of flaky sea salt according to your preference for saltiness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze portions of the dough for baking fresh cookies later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: salted caramel cookies, caramel chip cookies, homemade cookies, sweet and salty cookies, chocolate chip cookies, easy cookie recipe
