Introduction

These salted caramel cookies offer the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with gooey caramel pockets and a hint of chocolate. Soft and chewy with a lightly crisp edge, they’re an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup caramel chips
½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
½ tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 4: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
Step 6: Fold in the caramel chips and chocolate chips gently.
Step 7: Using a scoop, place the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with flaky sea salt before baking.
Step 9: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden but the centers remain soft.
Step 10: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

For an extra gooey center, slightly underbake the cookies by a minute or two.
Substitute caramel chips with chopped soft caramel candies if you prefer chunky caramel.
Omit chocolate chips for a pure salted caramel flavor or increase them for a richer taste.
Use clarified butter for a nuttier flavor that enhances the caramel notes.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the cookies in a sealed container or bag for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in a warm oven or microwave to restore softness and melt the caramel slightly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the dry ingredients to avoid overly salty cookies.

What can I do if my cookies spread too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading. Also, make sure your butter isn’t too soft or melted when mixing.

Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 172 reviews

This Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, featuring gooey caramel chips and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt atop soft, chewy cookies. With a buttery base complemented by chocolate chips, these treats are ideal for any dessert craving and simple to prepare in your oven.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins & Toppings

1 cup caramel chips
½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
½ tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Dry Mix: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Creaming: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for tender cookies.
Wet Mix: Add eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugars, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor.
Combine: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping the cookies tender.
Mix-ins: Fold in caramel chips and optional chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough to create delicious gooey pockets and richness.
Shaping: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
Topping: Lightly sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt just before baking to add a delightful sweet-salty contrast.
Baking: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, signaling they are perfectly baked.
Cooling: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

For best texture, use room temperature eggs and softened butter to ensure smooth creaming.
Do not overmix the dough after combining ingredients; overworking can make cookies tough.
Chocolate chips are optional but add an extra layer of richness and flavor.
Adjust the amount of flaky sea salt to your taste preference for sweetness balance.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: salted caramel cookies, caramel chip cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sweet and salty cookies, easy dessert recipe, baking cookies