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Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

4.5 from 108 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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