Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are a delightful fusion of two beloved desserts that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie that combines the rich, creamy texture of cheesecake with the indulgent sweetness of salted caramel. This recipe is not just a treat; it’s a celebration of flavors that has roots in both American and European dessert traditions. The combination of sweet and salty has captivated dessert lovers for generations, making these cookies a favorite at gatherings and special occasions.
People adore Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies for their unique taste and texture. The buttery cookie base provides a perfect canvas for the luscious cheesecake filling, while the drizzle of salted caramel adds an irresistible finishing touch. Plus, they are incredibly convenient to make, allowing you to whip up a batch in no time. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a sweet snack, these cookies are sure to impress and satisfy. Join me as we dive into this delicious recipe that brings together the best of both worlds!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Preparing the Dough
Let’s get started on these delicious Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies! First, we need to prepare the dough. Follow these steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Now, gently fold in the softened cream cheese until it’s evenly distributed throughout the dough. This will give our cookies that delightful cheesecake flavor.
- If you’re using chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage. They add a nice touch of sweetness and texture to the cookies.
Chilling the Dough
Chilling the dough is an important step that helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking. Here’s how to do it:
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the dough to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, chilling it for up to 2 hours will yield even better results.
Preparing for Baking
While the dough is chilling, let’s prepare for baking:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Baking the Cookies
Now it’s time to bake these beauties! Follow these steps:
- Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a small indentation in the center of each cookie ball. This is where we’ll add the salted caramel later.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will continue to cook as they cool.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Adding the Salted Caramel
Now comes the fun part—adding the salted caramel! Here’s how to do it:
- While the cookies are still warm, take your salted caramel sauce and drizzle a generous amount into the indentation you created earlier. If the caramel is too thick, you can warm it slightly in the microwave to make it easier to drizzle.
- After adding the caramel, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie. This will enhance the flavor and give that perfect sweet and salty balance.
Storing the Cookies
Once your cookies are completely cooled and the caramel has set, it’s time to store them:
- Place the cookies in an airtight container. They can be
Conclusion:
In summary, these Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are an absolute must-try for anyone who loves the delightful combination of sweet and salty flavors. The rich, creamy cheesecake filling paired with the luscious salted caramel creates a heavenly treat that is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re serving them at a party, enjoying them as a special dessert after dinner, or simply indulging in a sweet snack, these cookies are versatile enough to fit any occasion. For a fun twist, consider adding a sprinkle of crushed pretzels on top for an extra crunch, or swap out the caramel for chocolate ganache if you’re in the mood for something different. You can also experiment with different types of cookies as the base—chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies could add a unique flavor profile to this already delicious recipe. I encourage you to give these Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies a try! I promise you won’t be disappointed. Once you’ve baked a batch (or two), I would love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts, any variations you tried, or even a picture of your delicious creations. Let’s spread the joy of baking together! Happy baking! PrintSalted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies: The Ultimate Dessert Recipe You Need to Try
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Enjoy these Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies, featuring a creamy dough with a gooey salted caramel center and a touch of flaky sea salt. Perfect for a sweet treat any time!
Ingredients
Scale- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing!
- Gently fold in the softened cream cheese until evenly distributed.
- If using, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the dough to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours for better results).
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Once chilled, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.
- Create a small indentation in the center of each cookie ball using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked.
- Let cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While cookies are still warm, drizzle a generous amount of salted caramel sauce into the indentation. If too thick, warm slightly in the microwave.
- Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie.
- Once cooled and caramel has set, store cookies in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to a week, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or frozen for up to three months.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips or add nuts for extra texture.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes