If the mere mention of “sweet meets salty” makes your heart flutter, these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies are about to rocket to the top of your must-bake list. Imagine soft, buttery sugar cookies crowned with a pool of silky, golden caramel and finished with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Each bite dances between rich, melt-in-your-mouth comfort and that addictive edge of savory contrast — making them an irresistible treat that’s as impressive as it is approachable for bakers of any level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need to make these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies is likely already in your kitchen, and each item brings a little magic to the batch. Let’s break down why every ingredient counts in creating those irresistible layers of flavor and texture!
- All-purpose flour: The base for tenderness and just the right crumb, giving your cookies structure without making them dry!
- Baking soda: Lends a touch of lift, ensuring the cookies never come out too dense.
- Baking powder: Teaming up with baking soda for that perfect puff and lightness in every bite.
- Salt: Essential for flavor balance—it quietly amplifies the sugar and caramel.
- Unsalted butter: The soul of any classic sugar cookie; room-temp butter gives the cookies a melt-in-your-mouth texture and richness.
- Granulated sugar: Delivers pure sweetness and those characteristic, slightly crisp cookie edges.
- Large egg: Binds and lifts, bringing the dough together into perfect harmony.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor, adding cozy warmth behind the scenes.
- Soft caramels: These melt down into liquid gold, offering a simple shortcut to an ultra-smooth topping.
- Heavy cream: Makes your melted caramel extra lush and drizzle-worthy.
- Flaky sea salt: Not just a garnish, but the essential finishing touch that makes these cookies unforgettable!
How to Make Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Kick things off by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This tiny step saves you from sticky cookie disasters and helps each batch bake evenly, giving those perfect golden edges.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first guarantees even leavening and avoids any salty or powdery pockets in the finished dough.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is where the magic happens—the air whipped in here leads to cookies that are delightfully tender, not heavy or flat.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in that splash of vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. These ingredients pull the dough together and add a subtle depth that pairs beautifully with caramel and salt.
Step 5: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, blending just until a soft dough forms. Over-mixing is the enemy here—stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain, ensuring melt-in-the-mouth Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies every time.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each one with your palm for evenness. Slide them into the oven and bake for 9–11 minutes until the edges turn golden and the centers are just set.
Step 7: Cool and Caramelize
Let your cookies cool right on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks. Meanwhile, melt the caramels and heavy cream together over low heat, stirring until luxuriously smooth. Spoon a puddle of caramel over each cookie, then crown them all with a flourish of flaky sea salt. Allow the caramel to set before serving—if you can wait that long!
How to Serve Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt is non-negotiable for these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies—but you can level up with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a few gold sprinkles for a festive look.
Side Dishes
Nothing pairs better with these cookies than a tall glass of cold milk or a steamy mug of coffee. For a grown-up twist, try serving them alongside espresso, chai tea, or even a sweet dessert wine at your next gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies high on a cake stand, tuck them into a decorative tin for gifting, or plate them on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries and whipped cream for a showstopping dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cooled Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies soft by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
For longer storage, place the cookies (with caramel fully set) between layers of parchment paper in a freezer container. Store them for up to 2 months, and thaw at room temperature for a sweet treat any time.
Reheating
If the caramel firms up more than you’d like, pop the cookies in the microwave for just 5–8 seconds or until the tops are glossy and gooey again. This quick trick brings back all the magic of freshly-caramelized cookies.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of melting caramels?
Absolutely! If you’re pressed for time, good-quality store-bought caramel sauce will work beautifully—just spoon it over the cookies and sprinkle with sea salt as instructed.
Do Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies work for gifting?
They travel incredibly well and look gorgeous in gift boxes or jars. Just be sure the caramel is fully set before packaging to avoid any stickiness during transit.
How do I prevent the caramel from getting too hard?
Add heavy cream when melting your caramels, and keep the heat low and slow. If it does firm up, just rewarm gently and stir until smooth again before topping your cookies.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Make the dough, cover tightly, and chill it for up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before scooping and baking as usual.
Are there any nut-free or gluten-free modifications?
This recipe is naturally nut-free if you use safe caramels, and for gluten-free, simply swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend—just keep an eye on the texture as you may need a touch more or less.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that combines dreamy sweetness, just a hint of savory flair, and pure buttery bliss, Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies will absolutely steal the show. Give them a try—you may just find yourself baking batch after batch for every occasion!
Print
Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of sweet and salty with these Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies. These soft, buttery cookies are topped with a luscious caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 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
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional:
- 20 soft caramels (unwrapped)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg and vanilla. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Bake the Cookies: Scoop dough into balls, flatten slightly, and bake for 9–11 minutes until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- Make the Caramel: Melt caramels and cream in a saucepan until smooth.
- Assemble: Spoon caramel onto each cookie, sprinkle with sea salt, and let set before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness.
- If caramel hardens, gently reheat for drizzling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
