There’s nothing quite like the magic of Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies: buttery-soft, lightly crisp on the edges, with gooey caramel centers and a kiss of sea salt to bring every flavor to life. This recipe transforms your classic sugar cookie into something dreamy and decadent, making each bite a luxurious experience. Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange, a cozy night in, or need an irresistible treat for friends, these cookies have the power to light up any occasion with caramel sweetness and a balancing savory finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies so special is the combination of simple, pantry staples and high-impact add-ins. Each ingredient lends something vital, from melt-in-your-mouth texture to the unforgettable sweet-salty finish.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of our cookies, providing structure while keeping the texture tender.
- Baking powder: Adds just the right touch of lift so the cookies puff up slightly without spreading too thin.
- Salt: Enhances the other flavors and balances out the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Essential for that rich, melt-away bakery taste and perfect creaming with sugar.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps the cookies develop a lovely, delicate crisp edge.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and provides a bit of soft chewiness to the finished cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a warm background note that boosts both the caramel and buttery flavors.
- Soft caramel candies, unwrapped and halved: The star of the show, creating an oozy caramel center in every bite.
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling: Adds sparkle and a delicious pop of salt that takes your cookies from good to truly memorable.
How to Make Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Set yourself up for cookie greatness by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. The parchment paper not only prevents sticking but also makes cleanup a breeze, so you can dive right in!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking first creates an even distribution of these key dry ingredients, so every bite has just the right lift and a perfectly balanced flavor.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or sturdy spatula to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is where the cookies get their signature tender-crisp texture and beautiful color.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract. Mixing until well combined ensures your Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies have a cohesive dough with a subtle vanilla aroma running through every bite.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to your creamed butter base, mixing gently until you have a soft, pliable dough. Take care not to overmix; you want to keep everything airy for that perfect bite!
Step 6: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Scoop out rounded tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll between your palms to form smooth balls. Place each ball onto your prepared baking sheets about two inches apart, then gently press a halved soft caramel candy into the center of each, lightly flattening the tops so the caramels peek through.
Step 7: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are just turning golden. The centers may look slightly underdone, but they’ll finish setting as they cool, keeping the caramel centers irresistibly gooey.
Step 8: Sprinkle with Sea Salt and Cool
Right as they come out of the oven, sprinkle each cookie with a bit of flaky sea salt. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes to let the caramel set, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. This helps keep your Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies perfectly soft with a chewy center.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A simple flourish of extra flaky sea salt on top brings a beautiful sparkle and a punchy contrast to the sweetness. Try a drizzle of melted chocolate if you want to dress up your Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies even more—totally optional, but a crowd-pleaser!
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top treat, or serve alongside a hot mug of coffee, chai, or milk. The creamy drinks highlight the caramel’s richness while cooling sips make every cookie bite sing.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a handful in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for holiday gifts, or assemble Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies on a pretty cake stand for a dessert platter. For parties, try crumbling them over sundaes or even sandwiching a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for an epic ice cream sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to five days, making them perfect for snacking or packing in lunches throughout the week.
Freezing
To freeze, layer cookies between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies freeze beautifully for up to two months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Reheating
If you’d like to recapture that molten caramel magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for 5–8 seconds before eating. The caramel will soften just enough to bring back that fresh-baked gooeyness without changing the cookie’s soft crumb.
FAQs
Can I use homemade caramel instead of store-bought candies?
Absolutely! Homemade caramel works wonderfully here—just make sure you chill it until firm, then cut into small pieces. Firmer caramels are easiest to work with when stuffing your Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies and will melt just right in the oven.
Why did my caramel ooze out of the cookies?
If the caramel melts too fast, it may ooze out. Chilling the caramel pieces for a few minutes before stuffing helps keep them in place, and making sure you don’t flatten the cookies too much will help keep the caramel nice and snug inside.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Definitely! You can refrigerate the cookie dough (well-wrapped) for up to two days before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before scooping and filling with caramel for the best results.
How do I keep the cookies soft?
Storing Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread (which you can replace every couple days) will help lock in softness by keeping the moisture just right.
What can I use instead of flaky sea salt?
If you don’t have flaky sea salt, try a light sprinkle of kosher salt. Avoid table salt, which can taste too harsh and lacks the visual appeal and delicate crunch that makes these cookies so appealing.
Final Thoughts
If you love classic sugar cookies but crave that wow factor only caramel and sea salt can deliver, these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies are made for you. Whip up a batch and watch them vanish—your friends and family will thank you, and you’ll have a new go-to treat to share and savor!
Print
Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of sweet and salty with these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies. These soft and chewy cookies are generously stuffed with gooey caramel and topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, creating a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional:
- 12 soft caramel candies, halved
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine and Scoop: Gradually add dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions, roll into balls, and place on baking sheets.
- Press Caramel and Bake: Gently press a caramel piece into each dough ball, flatten the tops, and bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Sprinkle with Salt: Remove from the oven, sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt, and cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- Chill caramels before pressing for easier handling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
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