Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These salted caramel cookies combine rich buttery dough with gooey caramel and a hint of sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty treat. Soft and chewy with a caramel drizzle on top, they’re irresistible and easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (lightly softened)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup high-quality caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Sea salt flakes (optional, for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 390°F (unless you plan to chill the dough). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, dark brown sugar, and sugar for at least 4 minutes, scraping the sides often to ensure even mixing.
- Step 2: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix for an additional minute until well combined. Stir in the caramel sauce gently until evenly distributed.
- Step 3: Fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. If you plan to sprinkle sea salt flakes on top, reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. For less spread during baking, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours if time allows.
- Step 4: Use a light-colored baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll the dough into small balls and place them spaced apart on the sheet. Bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cookies set for a few minutes before handling.
- Step 5: Drizzle additional caramel sauce over each cookie. If desired, sprinkle with sea salt flakes before serving to enhance the flavor contrast.
Tips & Variations
- Chilling the dough for longer (up to 24 hours) helps control spreading and improves texture.
- Use a light-colored baking sheet to prevent cookies from browning too quickly on the bottom.
- Substitute the caramel drizzle with chocolate ganache for a chocolate-caramel twist.
- For extra chewiness, add a tablespoon of corn syrup or honey to the dough.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft, add a slice of bread inside the container. Reheat gently in a microwave for about 10 seconds if you want the caramel gooey again.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes, high-quality store-bought caramel sauce works well for both the dough and the drizzle. Choose a sauce that is smooth and flavorful for best results.
What if I don’t have sea salt flakes?
If sea salt flakes aren’t available, you can skip them or use a very light sprinkle of fine sea salt for a similar effect. The salt balances the sweetness nicely but isn’t essential.
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Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including 30 minutes chilling time)
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Description
Delight in these indulgent Salted Caramel Cookies featuring a perfect blend of buttery dough, rich dark brown sugar, and luscious caramel sauce. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a drizzle of caramel and optional sea salt flakes, these cookies offer a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter (lightly softened)
- 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 large Egg Yolk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 cup High-Quality Caramel Sauce (plus more for drizzling on cookies)
- 2 1/2 cups Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt (reduce to 1/2 teaspoon if using sea salt flakes)
Topping
- Sea Salt Flakes (optional, for sprinkling on top)
- Additional Caramel Sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. If chilling the dough, you can delay this step until ready to bake.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the lightly softened butter, dark brown sugar, and sugar for at least 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure even mixing and a fluffy texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Mix for an additional 1 minute until fully incorporated. Then stir in 1/4 cup caramel sauce evenly into the batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt gently until just combined. If using sea salt flakes on top, reduce salt in the dough to 1/2 teaspoon to balance the flavors.
- Chill Dough (Optional but Recommended): For best results, chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to reduce spreading during baking. For optimal texture, a 24-hour chill is encouraged if time permits.
- Shape Cookies: Using your hands or a scoop, roll the dough into light balls and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. For best baking results, use a light-colored baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain slightly soft.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to set on the baking sheet for several minutes. Once slightly cooled, drizzle additional caramel sauce over each cookie and sprinkle with sea salt flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chilling dough is recommended to control cookie spread and improve texture.
- Use high-quality caramel sauce for the best flavor.
- Light-colored baking sheets prevent overbrowning of cookie bottoms.
- Adjust salt in the dough if you use sea salt flakes on top for balanced saltiness.
- Cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Salted Caramel Cookies, Caramel Cookies, Homemade Cookies, Sweet and Salty Cookies, Dessert Recipes
