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Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

4.5 from 120 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt evenly, then set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender cookie texture.
  6. Fold in Chips: Gently fold in caramel chips and optional chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
  7. 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.
  8. Add Topping: Lightly sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt to create a sweet-salty contrast once baked.
  9. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a golden brown, indicating they are done.
  10. 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