Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Salted Caramel Cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty with gooey caramel pockets and a touch of flaky sea salt on top. Soft, tender, and loaded with rich caramel and chocolate chips, they make an irresistible treat for any occasion.

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

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

Tips & Variations

• For extra gooey caramel pockets, slightly chill the dough before baking.
• Swap caramel chips with chopped soft caramels for a homemade touch.
• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor contrast.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the granulated sugar by ¼ cup.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave or a warm oven to restore softness and gooey caramel texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe slightly to avoid an overly salty cookie.

What if I don’t have caramel chips?

You can finely chop soft caramel candies as a substitute or omit them for a simpler chocolate chip cookie version.

Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 82 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x

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Description

Delight in these Salted Caramel Cookies featuring a perfect balance of sweet caramel chips and a touch of flaky sea salt. With a crisp edge and chewy center, these cookies offer a rich caramel flavor accented by optional chocolate chips for added depth. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection, they’re an irresistible treat for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 and Topping

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

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Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Dry Mix: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour for consistent rising and flavor.
3. Creaming: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which helps create a tender texture.
4. Wet Mix: Beat in the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor profile.
5. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can lead to tough cookies.
6. Mix-ins: Fold in the caramel chips and optional chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for gooey caramel pockets and optional chocolate richness.
7. Shaping: Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets using a cookie scoop or spoon, spacing each mound approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
8. Topping: Lightly sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of each cookie dough mound to create the signature sweet and salty contrast.
9. Baking: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown while the centers remain soft for a chewy texture.
10. Cooling: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set perfectly.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal creaming results.
• Room temperature eggs help the ingredients combine more smoothly.
• Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
• For extra gooey caramel in the center, consider pressing an additional caramel chip onto the top before baking.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Salted caramel cookies, caramel chip cookies, sweet and salty cookies, homemade cookies, chocolate chip cookies variation