Salted Caramel Cookies

If you’re a fan of sweet and salty desserts, these salted caramel cookies are going to become a favorite in your cookie recipe book. With their buttery base, a rich center of gooey salted caramel, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, these cookies offer a perfect blend of flavors. They are easy to make, yet they look and taste as if they came straight from a bakery.

Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Cookies

These cookies are all about balance. The buttery and tender cookie base is sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. When paired with the rich, decadent caramel and finished with a touch of sea salt, each bite delivers a blend of sweetness and a salty kick that keeps you reaching for more. With a soft center and slightly crisp edges, these cookies have the perfect texture to complement their indulgent flavor.

Even though they sound fancy, these salted caramel cookies are surprisingly easy to make. You’ll just need a few simple ingredients and a bit of time to let the dough chill, which helps create that irresistible texture. So let’s jump into the recipe and discover how to create these delicious salted caramel cookies.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 ½ cups flour

For the Filling:

• ½ cup salted caramel sauce

For Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon flaky sea salt

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar. Using the whisk attachment, cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.

Step 2: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Continue to mix on medium speed until everything is well combined. The egg yolk adds extra richness to the dough, giving the cookies their tender texture.

Step 3: Mix in the Flour

Slowly add in about half of the flour and mix on low speed until combined. Once the flour is incorporated, add in the remaining flour and mix until a thick dough forms. If the dough is too thick for your whisk attachment, switch to a paddle attachment to finish mixing. The dough should be slightly dense but pliable enough to roll into balls.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Sheets

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking. Set the sheets aside while you portion out the dough.

Step 5: Shape the Dough

Scoop out portions of the dough and roll them into balls about the size of a ping pong ball (about 1½ inches in diameter). Place each ball onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 6: Create Indentations

Using the back of a rounded spoon or your pinky finger, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball. This will be where the salted caramel filling will go after baking.

Step 7: Chill the Dough

Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator or freezer for about 30 minutes. This chilling period is essential because it helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much during baking.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has chilled, place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes. The cookies should be lightly golden on the edges but still soft in the center.

Step 9: Allow to Cool

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to firm up slightly as they cool.

Step 10: Fill with Salted Caramel

After the cookies have cooled, it’s time to add the star of the show: the salted caramel. Using a small spoon, carefully fill each indentation with a generous amount of salted caramel sauce. If you’re making your own caramel, be sure it’s cooled to a thick yet pourable consistency before adding it to the cookies.

Step 11: Sprinkle with Flaky Sea Salt

To finish, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over each cookie. This final touch enhances the caramel flavor and adds a delightful texture.

Storage Tips

These salted caramel cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them for longer, consider freezing the baked cookies without the caramel filling, and adding the caramel just before serving.

For more caramel dessert ideas, check these out:

• Caramel Apple Bites
• Salted Caramel Espresso Brownie Jars

Pro Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Cookies

1. Use Good-Quality Caramel: For the best flavor, use high-quality caramel sauce or make your own at home. A rich, buttery caramel will complement the cookie’s sweetness perfectly.
2. Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking. Don’t skip this step if you want a thick, chewy texture.
3. Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. You want them to be slightly golden on the edges but still soft in the middle. Overbaking can result in a dry texture.

Why These Cookies Are a Must-Try

Salted caramel cookies are a perfect combination of flavors and textures, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re looking to bake something special for a gathering, give a homemade gift, or just indulge in a cozy snack at home, these cookies will not disappoint. The contrast between the buttery cookie, sweet caramel, and a sprinkle of sea salt creates a sophisticated yet comforting dessert.

Plus, with their easy preparation and straightforward ingredients, these cookies are accessible to bakers of all levels. You don’t need fancy tools or advanced techniques to create a batch of these crowd-pleasing treats.

Try this salted caramel cookie recipe, and watch them disappear from the cookie jar!

Sea Salt Caramel Filled Cookies

Difficulty: Easy

Storage: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Print Recipe

Salted Caramel Cookies

Tender shortbread filled with ooey gooey caramel and garnished with a few flakes of sea salt to send these cookies into orbit!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time11 minutes mins

Chill Time28 minutes mins

Total Time49 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: caramel, cookies, Salted caramel cookies, sea salt

Servings: 34

Ingredients

• ¾ c unsalted butter softened
• ¾ c sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 ½ c flour
• ½ c salted caramel sauce
• 1 Tablespoon flaky sea salt

Instructions

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar. Cream until smooth.
• Add in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla. Mix until combined.
• Add in about half of the flour and mix on low speed until combined. Add in the remaining flour and mix until combined. This is a thick dough – if needed, switch out the whisk attachment to the paddle for an easier mix without bending your whisk wires.
• Line your baking sheet(s) with parchment and set aside.
• Portion out the dough and roll in about ping pong ball size balls. Place on the parchment lined sheets with about two inches separation between each cookie.
• Using your pinky or the back of a rounded spoon, make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
• Place the cookies in the fridge/freezer for about 30 minutes prior to baking to decrease spread.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes.
• Remove the pan(s) from the oven. Allow to cool.
• Fill the indent of each cookie with salted caramel.
• Sprinkle with the flaky sea salt to garnish.