Why Make This Recipe
Salted Caramel Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of caramel with a hint of salt for a perfect balance of flavors. These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips, making them irresistible for anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a homemade cookie, these salted caramel cookies are sure to please you and anyone else lucky enough to enjoy them.
introduction
Baking cookies can be a rewarding and fun experience. There’s something special about the warm scent of fresh cookies wafting through the kitchen. Salted Caramel Cookies take this experience to another level with their rich flavors and soft textures. They are easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying as a special treat for yourself.
How to Make Salted Caramel Cookies
Making Salted Caramel Cookies is straightforward and can be accomplished even by novice bakers. Follow these simple steps to create a batch that will impress everyone.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Directions:
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: Take a large bowl and cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Use a mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in one large egg and the vanilla extract into your creamed mixture. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Add Chocolate Chips and Caramel: Fold in the chocolate chips and salted caramel sauce carefully. Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop the Dough: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each dough ball, as they will spread while baking.
Sprinkle Sea Salt: Before baking, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each dough ball. This enhances the salted caramel flavor and creates a lovely contrast.
Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden when they are done, while the centers remain soft.
Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Afterward, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Cookies
Salted Caramel Cookies are perfect on their own, but you can elevate your serving experience by pairing them with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a special touch, drizzle some extra salted caramel sauce on top or serve with a dollop of whipped cream. These cookies also make excellent gifts; simply package them in a decorative box or tin for a sweet surprise.
How to Store Salted Caramel Cookies
To keep your Salted Caramel Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay delicious for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature whenever you’re ready to enjoy them again!
Tips to Make Salted Caramel Cookies
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter and egg are at room temperature. This helps in creating a smooth batter and results in better texture.
Don’t Overmix: When combining dry and wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
Chill the Dough: If you’re in a warm climate or worried about the cookies spreading too much, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Use Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, use high-quality chocolate chips and salted caramel sauce.
Keep an Eye on the Bake Time: Every oven varies slightly, so start checking your cookies at the lower end of the baking time.
Variation
If you want to mix things up, consider trying these variations:
Nutty Addition: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the dough for a delightful crunch.
Flavored Caramel: Use flavored caramel, like vanilla or apple, for a different taste experience.
Spice It Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but consider reducing the amount of added sea salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
What if I don’t have caramel sauce?
You can make your own salted caramel sauce or even replace it with chocolate ganache or peanut butter to suit your taste.
These Salted Caramel Cookies are charmingly simple and are bound to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Enjoy the process, and happy baking!
Print
Salted Caramel Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful cookies combining sweetness of caramel with a hint of salt, loaded with chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and salted caramel sauce until evenly distributed.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each ball.
- Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each dough ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers remain soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg