Description
These decadent salted caramel cheesecake cookies combine rich creaminess of cheesecake with buttery sweetness of cookies and a gooey caramel center, topped with flaky sea salt for a perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients
1 cup (225g) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup soft caramel candies or caramel sauce
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the cream cheese mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough, flatten slightly, place caramel candy or teaspoon of caramel sauce in center, then wrap dough around and roll into a ball.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt on each cookie after removing from oven.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chilling the dough makes cookies easier to handle and improves texture.
You can substitute caramel candies with homemade caramel sauce if thick enough.
For vegan version, use dairy-free cream cheese, butter alternatives, and a flax egg.
Gluten-free flour blends can be used to make the recipe gluten-free.
Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigerate up to 1 week, or freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat gently in microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore gooey texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
