If you have a sweet tooth that loves a bit of salty-sweet magic, you’re going to adore this Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe. Imagine soft, buttery cookies with a luscious cream cheese center, all kissed by gooey caramel and sprinkled with flaky sea salt for that perfect balance. Each bite melts in your mouth, delivering a heavenly mix of rich caramel sweetness and tangy cheesecake smoothness. Trust me, these cookies aren’t just a treat—they’re an experience that brings homemade bakery vibes right to your kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe uses a handful of straightforward yet crucial ingredients that come together to create a cookie bursting with flavor and texture. Each ingredient has a role in making these cookies irresistibly soft, creamy, and perfectly flavored.

Unsalted butter (1 half cup, softened): Adds richness and a melt-in-your-mouth softness to the cookie dough.
Light brown sugar (1 half cup, packed): Brings moisture and a deep caramel flavor that complements the topping beautifully.
Granulated sugar (1 quarter cup): Balances sweetness and helps achieve the perfect cookie texture.
Large egg (room temperature): Binds ingredients for a tender, chewy cookie foundation.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall aroma and depth of flavor.
All-purpose flour (1 and 1 half cups): Provides structure while keeping the cookies tender.
Baking soda (1 half teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just right, giving a light crumb.
Salt (1 quarter teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): Delivers the creamy cheesecake center that makes these cookies stand out.
Powdered sugar (1 quarter cup): Sweetens and smooths the cheesecake filling for luscious bites.
Caramel sauce (1 half cup, thick): The star topping that adds a sticky, buttery caramel punch.
Flaky sea salt (for topping): The final flourish that brings out the bold salted caramel character.

How to Make Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, a perfect temperature to bake these soft and gooey cookies just right. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and come out cleanly with beautiful golden edges.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to creating a tender cookie with a lovely crumb texture.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. This adds moisture and helps bind everything together, ensuring your cookies hold their shape while baking.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This mixture contributes to the perfect balance of sweetness and structure in the cookie dough.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet butter-sugar mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too soft, chill it for 20 minutes to make handling easier.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. This luscious filling is what makes these cookies truly irresistible.

Step 7: Shape and Fill Cookies

Scoop the cookie dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on your prepared baking sheets. Press a small indentation in the center of each ball, spoon about a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling inside, then add a drizzle of thick caramel sauce right over the top.

Step 8: Bake and Finish

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set and have a light golden hue. Remove them from the oven and while they’re still warm, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to really highlight that salted caramel magic. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack so they can cool completely.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Enhance your cookies by adding a light dusting of powdered sugar, or extra flaky sea salt on top for that elegant salty crunch. A gentle drizzle of warm caramel just before serving also amps up the gooey, indulgent feel every time.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a rich cup of coffee or tea. The creamy cheesecake and salty-sweet caramel work beautifully with cold or warm beverages, making them a great choice for dessert or an afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, stack these cookies on a pretty platter lined with parchment and sprinkle edible gold flakes for a luxurious touch. You can also sandwich some extra caramel sauce and cream cheese filling between two cookies for a decadent cookie sandwich that’s sure to impress friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain the freshness of the cream cheese filling and the chewy texture of the cookie. They taste best eaten within 3 to 4 days.

Freezing

If you want to save these delicious treats for later, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months and thawed at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To enjoy these cookies fresh and warm, reheat them gently in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. This brings back that melty cream cheese and caramel goodness.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted in this recipe?

While unsalted butter is recommended to control the saltiness level, you can use salted butter but reduce or omit the additional salt in the dough to maintain balance.

Is it necessary to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough isn’t absolutely required, but if your dough feels too soft and sticky, chilling it for about 20 minutes will make shaping the cookies much easier and help them hold their shape during baking.

Can I substitute store-bought caramel sauce?

Absolutely! Using a good quality store-bought caramel sauce is a convenient option that works perfectly in this Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe, just make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape when drizzled into the cookie centers.

How do I prevent the caramel from spreading too much during baking?

The caramel will soften but shouldn’t run excessively if you use a thick caramel sauce and keep the filling portions small. Pressing an indentation in the cookie dough before filling helps contain the caramel beautifully.

Are these cookies suitable for freezing before baking?

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. When ready to bake, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time, and bake from frozen to enjoy fresh cookies anytime.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s sure to become a beloved favorite. Once you try these cookies, you’ll find yourself reaching for them again and again whenever a special sweet treat is called for. So go ahead, bake a batch, share some joy, and savor every delicious bite!