Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
These Salted Caramel Cookies deliver a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with gooey caramel pockets and optional chocolate chips, creating a crispy outside and soft, chewy inside. Easy to prepare and ideal for any occasion, these cookies offer a delightful treat featuring a rich caramel flavor enhanced by a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins & Toppings
- 1 cup caramel chips
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt for topping
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt evenly, then set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in eggs one at a time ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then blend in vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Fold in Chips: Gently fold in caramel chips and optional chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Add Topping: Lightly sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt to create a sweet-salty contrast once baked.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a golden brown, indicating they are done.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up and maintain their chewy texture.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature eggs to ensure smooth blending.
- Hard caramel chips can be substituted with soft caramel chunks if desired.
- If you prefer less saltiness, reduce flaky sea salt topping to ¼ tsp.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To enhance chewiness, chill dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Keywords: Salted caramel cookies, caramel chip cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sweet and salty cookies, homemade cookies, easy dessert recipe