Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe

Introduction

These salted caramel cookies are a perfect blend of sweet and salty with gooey caramel pockets and a hint of rich chocolate. They offer a delightful texture with crisp edges and a soft center, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup caramel chips
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
• ½ teaspoon 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 this mixture 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, then add the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
6. Step 6: Gently fold in the caramel chips and chocolate chips if using.
7. Step 7: Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each mound about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle each cookie lightly with flaky sea salt before placing them in the oven.
9. Step 9: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a golden brown.
10. Step 10: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra gooey caramel, try adding soft caramel bits or wrapping small caramel candies inside each cookie dough ball before baking.
• Substitute chocolate chips with white chocolate or peanut butter chips for a different flavor profile.
• Ensure your butter is softened but not melted to achieve the best cookie texture.
• Use room temperature eggs to help the dough mix evenly and produce tender cookies.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, add a slice of bread to the container. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven to restore softness and warmth.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

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

What if I don’t have caramel chips?

You can chop soft caramels into small pieces or use caramel sauce folded gently into the dough, but be careful as the sauce may affect the dough’s consistency.

Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 88 reviews

Delight in these homemade Salted Caramel Cookies that perfectly balance sweet and salty flavors. Soft, chewy, and loaded with gooey caramel chips and optional chocolate chips, they make an irresistible treat for any occasion.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 25-27 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

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

Add-ins

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

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning throughout the dough.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated and brown sugars using a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen cookies.
6. Fold in Chips: Gently fold in the caramel chips and chocolate chips if using, distributing them evenly through the dough for gooey pockets of flavor.
7. Form Cookies: Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each to allow for spreading during baking.
8. Add Sea Salt: Sprinkle the tops of each dough ball with flaky sea salt to create a delightful sweet-salty contrast when baked.
9. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown but the centers remain soft.
10. Cool: Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container.

Notes

• For softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow them to set on the baking sheet.
• Room temperature eggs help the dough mix more evenly and result in a better texture.
• Flaky sea salt sprinkled on top enhances the caramel flavor with a perfect salty crunch.
• Optional chocolate chips add richness but can be omitted if preferred.
• Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Salted caramel cookies, caramel chip cookies, homemade cookies, sweet and salty cookies, chewy cookies