Salted Caramel Cookies: Sweet & Salty

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Imagine filling your home with the warm scent of freshly baked cookies. Salted Caramel Cookies combine gooey caramel, soft texture, and a touch of salt for a delightful treat. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, this recipe is simple and approachable. With easy-to-follow steps, even beginners can create a batch of warm, comforting cookies that everyone will love.

Why Salted Caramel Cookies Are Perfect for Beginners

These cookies are not only delicious but also have a foolproof method. You mix the ingredients in just one bowl, which makes cleanup a breeze. The blend of dark brown sugar and high-quality caramel gives these cookies a rich, special flavor, yet they are easy enough for any beginner baker to master. The finished cookies are soft, chewy, and dressed with drizzled caramel—perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying on your own.

How to Make Salted Caramel Cookies

Making these Salted Caramel Cookies starts with preparing the ingredients. You’ll cream together the butter and sugars, mix in the eggs and vanilla, then fold in your dry ingredients. After a short chill in the refrigerator, you’ll roll the dough into balls and bake them until golden. Lastly, drizzle some extra caramel on top for that beautiful finishing touch.

Ingredients

1 cup Butter (lightly softened)
1 cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Sugar
1 large Egg
1 large Egg Yolk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 cup High-Quality Caramel Sauce (plus more for drizzling on cookies)
2 1/2 cups Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
Sea Salt Flakes (optional to sprinkle on the top)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 390°F. If you’re planning to chill your dough, skip this step for now.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, dark brown sugar, and sugar for about 4 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure everything is incorporated evenly.
Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix for an additional 1 minute until everything is well blended.
Stir in the caramel sauce until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. If you’re using sea salt flakes for topping, reduce the salt in this step to 1/2 teaspoon.
If you have the time, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking. Ideally, let it chill for 24 hours if you can wait!
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a light-colored baking sheet helps cookies bake evenly.
Roll the cookie dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.
Bake the cookies for 8 to 11 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. They should still look soft in the center.
Remove them from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set.
Drizzle additional caramel sauce over each cookie before serving. If desired, sprinkle with sea salt flakes for an extra burst of flavor.

Best Ways to Serve Your Cookies

Serve these salted caramel cookies warm, right out of the oven, for maximum gooeyness. They are perfect on their own and pair well with milk, coffee, or tea. These cookies make a great snack for after school, a sweet treat at a party, or a dessert for a casual family dinner. The caramel drizzle adds a gorgeous finish, making them look as good as they taste.

How to Store Salted Caramel Cookies

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you need to keep them for longer, consider freezing them. They can last in the freezer for about 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature or microwave them for a few seconds.

Helpful Tips for Baking Success

Make sure your butter is at room temperature, which means it should be soft but not melted. This will help create a light, fluffy texture when creaming the sugars.
Watch the baking time closely. You want your cookies to be slightly golden on the edges but still soft in the middle. They will continue to firm up after you remove them from the oven.
If your dough is too sticky to roll into balls, chilling it for a bit longer may help. The dough should be manageable and not overly sticky.

Variations

Add Nuts: Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for crunch and extra flavor.
Chocolate chips: For a chocolate twist, fold in some semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the flour for a delicious blend of flavors.
Spices: Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for additional warmth and flavor in the cookies.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator. It can be ready to bake whenever you want fresh cookies. Just roll them into balls and bake straight from the fridge.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Absolutely! After baking, you can freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. Make sure to let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

What do I do if I don’t have sea salt flakes?

If you don’t have sea salt flakes, you can use regular table salt instead. Please use it sparingly, as table salt is finer and can be saltier than sea salt.

Conclusion

Baking Salted Caramel Cookies is a delightful way to treat yourself or others while building your confidence in the kitchen. With their rich flavors and simple steps, these cookies make any day feel special. You can easily whip up a batch, enjoy them with family and friends, and create sweet memories.

Baking is all about exploring and enjoying the process. I hope you feel proud of your delicious Salted Caramel Cookies and can’t wait to share them or keep some for yourself! Consider trying a variation next time, or dive into other beginner-friendly recipes. Happy baking!

Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe