Salted Caramel Cookies

If you adore the heavenly blend of sweet and salty flavors, then Salted Caramel Cookies will quickly become your new favorite treat. These cookies perfectly marry the rich, buttery caramel with a hint of sea salt, creating a dessert that’s chewy, gooey, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or impressing guests at a gathering, Salted Caramel Cookies bring a deliciously balanced flavor with every bite that’s sure to delight any dessert lover.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A perfect sweet and salty balance: The combination of salty sea salt and buttery caramel makes every bite uniquely satisfying.
• Chewy and soft texture: These cookies maintain the ideal softness with a just-right chew that keeps you coming back for more.
• Easy to bake at home: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it great even for beginner bakers.
• Versatile for any occasion: Salted Caramel Cookies are perfect as a casual snack, holiday treat, or party dessert.
• Customizable flavors: You can tweak caramel intensity, salt sprinkling, or even add mix-ins to suit your personal taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a key role in building the delicious taste and texture of Salted Caramel Cookies, from the golden caramel notes to the classic cookie softness. This lineup is simple but essential for achieving that perfect balance.

• Unsalted butter: Provides richness and a tender crumb to the cookie structure.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization during baking.
• Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor for chewiness.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough with a soft but sturdy texture.
• Baking soda: Ensures cookies rise perfectly and stay fluffy.
• Sea salt flakes: Sprinkled on top or mixed in, enhancing the caramel’s sweetness with a salty punch.
• Caramel bits or homemade caramel sauce: The star ingredient that gives bursts of luscious caramel flavor.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture for a soft crumb.
• Vanilla extract: Amplifies all the other flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.

Variations for Salted Caramel Cookies

Feel free to get creative and adjust Salted Caramel Cookies to match your tastes or dietary needs. This recipe lends itself beautifully to a world of fun customizations that are just as delicious.

• Chocolate chip caramel cookies: Add chocolate chips for a delightful chocolate and caramel combo.
• Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free flour blend without compromising chewy texture.
• Vegan salted caramel cookies: Swap butter for coconut oil and eggs for flax eggs to keep it plant-based.
• Nutty caramel cookies: Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy contrast.
• Spiced caramel cookies: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy, aromatic twist.

How to Make Salted Caramel Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the dough

Start by creaming softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and baking soda, then slowly mix into the wet ingredients to form the cookie dough.

Step 2: Incorporate the caramel

Fold in caramel bits or swirls of homemade caramel sauce gently into the dough. This ensures pockets of gooey caramel are spread throughout each cookie for that irresistible surprise.

Step 3: Portion and salt

Scoop tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving room for spreading. Lightly sprinkle each portion with a pinch of coarse sea salt before baking to bring out the savory-sweet flavor profile.

Step 4: Bake to perfection

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are golden but centers remain soft. Allow cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack, helping them set perfectly chewy.

Pro Tips for Making Salted Caramel Cookies

• Use room temperature ingredients: It makes mixing smoother and yields a better dough consistency.
• Don’t overbake: Remove cookies while the centers still look slightly underdone for a soft, chewy texture.
• Sprinkle salt after baking: For a crisp salty kick, add flaky sea salt immediately once cookies come out of the oven.
• Chill your dough: Refrigerating dough for 30 minutes before baking prevents cookies from spreading too much.
• Choose quality caramel: Using real caramel bits or freshly made sauce makes a huge flavor difference.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Cookies

Garnishes

Enhance presentation by dusting cookies with a light sprinkle of sea salt or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra glossy, flavorful finish that will catch every eye.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a rich hot chocolate. The creamy, cold elements perfectly complement the warm and gooey salted caramel goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the cookies into mini towers tied with rustic twine for gifts or party favors. Or serve on a wooden board alongside fresh berries and nuts for an elegant dessert platter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled Salted Caramel Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them soft and flavorful.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls or baked cookies. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for that freshly baked feel or pop one in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh their gooey texture.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of caramel bits?

Yes, you can swirl store-bought caramel sauce into the dough, but be careful not to add too much liquid, which may alter the dough consistency.

What is the best type of salt to use?

Coarse sea salt or flaky Maldon salt is recommended because the crystals add a pleasant crunch and enhance the caramel flavor perfectly.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough before baking and using proper flour measurements help cookies maintain their shape and avoid excessive spreading.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that’s suitable for baking, while keeping the rest of the ingredients the same.

How long do Salted Caramel Cookies last?

Stored properly in an airtight container, they stay fresh for up to five days at room temperature, or longer if frozen.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a cookie that hits all the right notes of sweetness, saltiness, and that comforting homemade texture, Salted Caramel Cookies are a must-try. Whether baked for yourself or to share with friends, their rich caramel goodness and delightful salt sprinkle will bring joy and smiles to every occasion. So grab your ingredients, get baking, and enjoy these truly irresistible treats!

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