Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
This Salted Caramel Cookie recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet, buttery caramel and a delicate touch of flaky sea salt for an irresistibly chewy and golden-brown treat. With bakery-quality results easily achievable at home, these cookies feature crisp edges and soft, gooey centers packed with pockets of rich caramel and optional chocolate chips. Ideal for special occasions or a cozy night in, they’re foolproof, customizable, and perfect paired with milk or coffee.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes including prep and baking
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup caramel chips or caramel bits
- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips (optional)
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top
- Prep Work: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside. Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This creaming step is key for soft, chewy cookies. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract to combine.
- Combine & Add Mix-Ins: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing. Gently fold in the caramel chips and chocolate chips, reserving a few caramel chips to press on top of the cookie dough balls before baking for extra caramel flavor and an attractive finish.
- Bake to Perfection: Using a cookie scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt atop each cookie to enhance the sweet and salty contrast. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone for that perfect chewy texture.
- Cool & Enjoy: Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; they will continue to cook slightly as they cool. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy them warm for deliciously gooey caramel centers. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Use a light-colored baking sheet for even baking and to prevent excessive browning on the bottom.
- Press extra caramel chips on top of dough before baking for more caramel flavor and an Instagram-worthy look.
- Allow cookies to cool fully before removing from parchment paper to prevent caramel from sticking.
- Remove cookies from oven when centers look slightly underdone to maintain soft, chewy middles.
- Using room temperature butter is essential for proper creaming and soft texture.
- Measure flour accurately by spooning into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid dry, crumbly cookies.
- A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top is enough; too much can overpower the caramel.
Keywords: salted caramel cookies, caramel cookies, chewy cookies, sweet and salty dessert, baked cookies, caramel chip cookies, homemade cookies