If you have a sweet tooth and love a wonderful balance of buttery softness with a hint of sophistication, this Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are a delightful treat with a tender crumb, rich caramel drizzle, and just the right touch of flaky sea salt that elevates every bite. Whether it’s for a cozy afternoon snack or a festive gathering, these cookies bring the perfect mix of textures and flavors that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, everyday ingredients is the first step to creating these decadent cookies. Each component plays a crucial role, from the creamy butter that adds richness to the caramel that delivers a perfect sweet-salty finish.
- Unsalted butter, 1 cup, softened: This provides the rich, tender base of the cookie dough without adding extra salt.
- Granulated sugar, 1 cup: Essential for sweetness and the classic sugar cookie flavor.
- Light brown sugar, ½ cup packed: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel depth to the dough.
- Large egg, 1: Helps bind everything together while contributing to a soft texture.
- Pure vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons: Enhances and rounds out the sweetness with warm, floral notes.
- All-purpose flour, 2 ¼ cups: The foundation giving structure and chewiness to the cookies.
- Baking soda, 1 teaspoon: Used to help the cookies rise and create a tender crumb.
- Baking powder, ¼ teaspoon: Works alongside the soda for a gentle lift and fluffiness.
- Salt, ½ teaspoon: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor depth in the dough.
- Caramel candies, 10, melted or â…“ cup caramel sauce: The star ingredient, providing luscious, sticky sweetness to top the cookies.
- Flaky sea salt for topping: Adds a sophisticated crunch and elevates the caramel’s flavor with a salty contrast.
How to Make Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to a steady 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This little prep step sets you up for cookie success.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
Using a mixer, blend the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This process traps air, which helps make your cookies tender and slightly airy.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in one large egg and pour in the pure vanilla extract. This adds moisture and enhances the cookie’s subtle sweetness while contributing to the dough’s structure.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed before folding them into the wet mix.
Step 5: Mix Dry into Wet
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring carefully until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so it’s key to stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Step 6: Scoop and Shape Dough
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place each dough ball on your prepared baking sheet, allowing some space for spreading during baking.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for golden edges with centers that are still slightly soft and underbaked—this will keep your cookies delightfully chewy and soft after cooling.
Step 8: Cool and Add Caramel Topping
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. While they cool, melt your caramel candies or warm the caramel sauce. Drizzle the caramel generously over each cookie and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let the caramel set before digging in.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt is the classic garnish here, bringing out the caramel’s best flavors with a perfect salty crunch. You can also add a few finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a textural variety that pairs beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine with a glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or a creamy tea latte. The drinks balance the sweetness and keep the experience comforting and indulgent. For a festive twist, serve alongside vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert combo.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies with a thin layer of caramel or even a dollop of whipped cream between them for a delicious sandwich treat. They also make fantastic edible gifts—pack them in a pretty tin with ribbons and maybe a handwritten note sharing your Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe secret!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This prevents the caramel from drying out and maintains that soft, chewy texture we all adore.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or the baked cookies themselves. Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container, they can last for up to three months. Thaw the frozen dough overnight in the fridge before baking for fresh-baked goodness anytime.
Reheating
Warm cookies slightly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to revive the soft texture and soften the caramel again, creating a fresh-out-of-the-oven experience that’s hard to resist.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
While unsalted butter is recommended to control salt levels, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have. Just reduce the additional salt in the recipe slightly to keep a balanced flavor.
What type of caramel works best for this recipe?
Melted caramel candies or smooth caramel sauce both work beautifully. The key is to use a caramel that isn’t too thick so it drizzles nicely over the cookies without hardening too quickly.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure it includes xanthan gum or another binder to maintain the cookie’s chewy texture.
Why do the cookies need to be slightly underbaked?
Underbaking keeps the centers soft and chewy rather than dry and crumbly. The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, resulting in the perfect texture.
How much flaky sea salt should I sprinkle on top?
A light sprinkle is all you need—just enough to complement the caramel without overpowering the sweetness. Usually, a few small flakes per cookie are perfect.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for good reason. With its simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a recipe that invites you to bake with joy and share something truly special. Go ahead and try it — you’ll love surprising yourself with how irresistibly wonderful these cookies turn out!
Print
Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies, featuring a perfect balance of sweet, buttery dough and rich caramel drizzled on top with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. These soft and chewy cookies are lightly golden on the edges with a tempting underbaked center, finished off with decadent caramel that adds an indulgent twist to a classic sugar cookie.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 10 caramel candies, melted (or 1/3 cup caramel sauce)
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for tender cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract thoroughly, ensuring the mixture is well combined for flavor and structure.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dry with Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated to avoid overworking the dough which can toughen cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers are still slightly underbaked, producing a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add Caramel and Salt: Drizzle the melted caramel over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Allow the caramel to set before serving to create a delicious salted caramel topping.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened for easier creaming with sugars.
- Do not overbake to maintain a soft, chewy texture in the cookie centers.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and for even baking.
- If using caramel candies, melt them gently to avoid burning. Alternatively, caramel sauce works well.
- Flaky sea salt enhances the caramel’s sweetness and adds a nice crunch and flavor contrast.
