These salted caramel cookies are the perfect treat for anyone who loves a sweet and salty combination. With pockets of gooey caramel in every bite and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt on top, these cookies offer a rich and indulgent experience that's hard to resist. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply treating yourself, these cookies are sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup caramel chips or chopped caramel candies
Sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
Gently fold in the caramel chips or chopped caramel candies.
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and timing
Servings: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Variations
Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Cookies: I sometimes like to swap out half of the caramel chips for chocolate chips to create a delicious chocolate-caramel combo.
Nutty Salted Caramel Cookies: Adding chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to the dough can provide an extra crunch and flavor to the cookies.
Dark Chocolate Caramel Cookies: If you prefer a richer taste, try using dark chocolate caramel chips or chopped dark chocolate in place of the regular caramel chips.
Storage/Reheating
I usually store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If I want to keep them fresh for longer, I freeze the dough or the baked cookies. To reheat, I simply warm them in the oven for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) until they’re soft and gooey again.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter for this recipe?
I recommend using unsalted butter so that I can control the amount of salt in the recipe. However, if you only have salted butter on hand, just reduce the amount of added salt by half.
Can I substitute the caramel chips with something else?
Yes! If I don't have caramel chips, I can substitute them with chopped caramel candies, or even try using butterscotch chips for a different flavor.
How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
I keep an eye on the edges of the cookies, which should be golden brown. The centers will look slightly set and firm to the touch. If the edges are golden, they are likely ready to come out of the oven!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, I can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When I’m ready to bake, I just scoop and bake the dough as usual.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?
Absolutely! A hand mixer works just as well for creaming the butter and sugars, so feel free to use what you have on hand.
Conclusion
These salted caramel cookies are a delightful treat that perfectly combines the rich sweetness of caramel with the touch of savory sea salt. They’re simple to make, and the result is a batch of gooey, chewy cookies that will satisfy my sweet tooth. Whether I’m baking for a special occasion or simply indulging in a cozy snack, these cookies are always a hit. I can’t wait to make them again!
Recipe:

Salted Caramel Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These salted caramel cookies are the perfect treat for anyone who loves a sweet and salty combination. With pockets of gooey caramel in every bite and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt on top, these cookies offer a rich and indulgent experience that's hard to resist.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup caramel chips or chopped caramel candies
Sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
- Gently fold in the caramel chips or chopped caramel candies.
- Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For a chocolate-caramel combo, swap half of the caramel chips with chocolate chips.
For an added crunch, mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
For a richer taste, use dark chocolate caramel chips or chopped dark chocolate in place of regular caramel chips.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days at room temperature or freeze for longer storage.
To reheat, warm cookies in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg