Salted Caramel Cookies bring the ultimate balance of buttery sweetness and rich caramel flavor, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an irresistible taste. Every bite is soft, chewy, and filled with pockets of melted caramel that ooze deliciousness. These cookies are easy to make, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or just treating yourself to something sweet. Serve them fresh out of the oven for the best experience, and pair them with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee for the ultimate indulgence!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup caramel bits or soft caramels, chopped
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the caramel bits or chopped caramels.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough into balls (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
The Perfect Sweet & Salty Treat
Salted caramel cookies are a heavenly combination of buttery richness, chewy texture, and gooey caramel goodness, all finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to create the perfect balance between sweet and salty. These cookies are simple yet indulgent, making them a favorite for cookie lovers everywhere.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees soft, chewy cookies with pockets of melted caramel in every bite. The contrast between the deep caramel flavor and the light crunch of sea salt makes these cookies irresistible.
In this article, we’ll explore everything about salted caramel cookies what makes them special, how to achieve the perfect texture, variations to try, and expert baking tips to ensure success.
What Makes Salted Caramel Cookies So Special?
Salted caramel cookies stand out because they perfectly blend three essential elements:
- Sweetness from caramel and sugar – The caramel pieces melt into the cookie dough, creating a rich, golden sweetness. The brown sugar in the dough enhances the depth of flavor, while granulated sugar gives the cookies a light crispiness on the edges.
- Salt for contrast – A pinch of flaky sea salt enhances the caramel’s sweetness while adding a slight crunch to each bite. The salty touch brings out the richness of the butter and caramel, making these cookies even more delicious.
- A chewy, buttery texture – These cookies are soft and chewy, with slightly crisp edges. The butter keeps them rich, while the balance of flour and baking soda ensures the right amount of rise and density.
The magic of these cookies comes from the combination of textures and flavors—each bite melts in your mouth while leaving a subtle salty finish that keeps you coming back for more.
A Brief History of Salted Caramel
While caramel itself has been a popular sweet treat for centuries, salted caramel as we know it today became widely popular in the early 2000s. French pastry chef Pierre Hermé is often credited with making salted caramel a global sensation, incorporating it into desserts and chocolates.
Salted caramel quickly gained traction in the U.S. and other countries, making its way into ice creams, cakes, lattes, and cookies. Today, it’s one of the most beloved dessert flavors, and for a good reason it’s the perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and slightly salty.
By incorporating salted caramel into cookies, we get the best of both worlds: a classic cookie base with a sophisticated gourmet twist.
How to Achieve the Perfect Texture
One of the most important aspects of salted caramel cookies is achieving the right texture. Here’s how to ensure your cookies come out perfectly soft and chewy every time:
1. Use Softened Butter for a Tender Cookie
Room temperature butter is essential it allows for proper creaming with the sugars, incorporating air into the dough for a light, chewy texture. Avoid melted butter, as it can cause the cookies to spread too much.
2. Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, as it activates too much gluten in the flour.
3. Choose the Right Caramel
Using soft caramel bits or chopped caramels ensures a gooey center in the cookies. Hard caramels won’t melt properly, and caramel sauce may make the dough too runny.
4. Sprinkle Sea Salt After Baking
For the best contrast of flavors, sprinkle flaky sea salt on the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven. This way, the salt adheres to the warm cookies without dissolving too much.
5. Chill the Dough for Even Baking
If the dough feels too soft, chill it for 20–30 minutes before baking. This prevents excessive spreading and results in a thicker, chewier cookie.
Delicious Variations to Try
Want to take your salted caramel cookies to the next level? Here are a few fun ways to customize the recipe:
1. Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Cookies
Add ½ cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips to the dough for an extra indulgent twist. The rich chocolate and caramel combination is unbeatable!
2. Brown Butter Salted Caramel Cookies
Swap regular butter for browned butter to enhance the nutty, caramelized flavor of the cookies. This method deepens the flavor profile, making the cookies taste even more decadent.
3. Stuffed Caramel Cookies
Instead of mixing caramel bits into the dough, wrap cookie dough around a caramel candy to create a gooey caramel center that melts as the cookies bake.
4. Salted Caramel Pretzel Cookies
For a sweet and salty crunch, mix in ½ cup of crushed pretzels. The contrast in textures makes for an exciting bite!
5. Espresso Salted Caramel Cookies
Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dough to enhance the caramel’s depth and provide a subtle coffee kick.
Baking and Storage Tips
To keep your salted caramel cookies fresh and ensure the best results, follow these simple storage tips:
Storage at Room Temperature
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Place a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture and keep cookies soft.
Freezing Cookie Dough
- You can freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a ziplock bag.
- Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating for a Freshly Baked Taste
- If your cookies have hardened, microwave them for 10 seconds to restore their gooey texture.
Conclusion:
Salted caramel cookies are a must-try for any dessert lover. Their chewy texture, deep caramel flavor, and touch of sea salt create a bakery-quality treat that’s easy to make at home. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven, packed in a gift box, or with a warm cup of coffee, these cookies never fail to satisfy.
With a rich history in the world of desserts, salted caramel has earned its place as a staple flavor, and these cookies are the perfect way to showcase it. Try the classic version, or get creative with chocolate chips, pretzels, espresso, or stuffed caramel centers.