Crispy Salted Caramel Cookies

Crispy Salted Caramel Cookies are a show of contrasts: thin, buttery, crisp edges surrounding a soft center that cradles a pool of melted salted caramel. Freezing the dough & baking from frozen helps preserve crispness and prevent caramel from burning.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect crisp texture and caramel puddle in the center.
• Butteriness plus salt balances sweetness.
• Great aesthetics: caramel oozes out for a decadent look.
• Ideal for caramel lovers, cookie lovers, and those who appreciate texture.

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 15 soft caramels
• Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

Directions

Step 1 Gather ingredients and preheat oven (when ready to bake). Prepare baking sheets lined with parchment.

Step 2 In a bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until pale and fluffy.

Step 3 Beat in egg and vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4 In another bowl, whisk together flour, leavening agents (if specified), and salt.

Step 5 Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.

Step 6 Chill or freeze the dough balls: portion dough into rounds; freeze them for a set time (often overnight) so they’re firm before baking. This helps with the crispy edge and avoids caramel burning.

Step 7 When dough is frozen, place dough balls onto lined baking sheets. Press a soft caramel in the center of each ball (if recipe uses insert-center method). Some recipes place caramel pieces in the middle before freezing.

Step 8 Bake from frozen in preheated oven, typically 10 minutes or until edges are golden and crisp but center still has a molten caramel.

Step 9 Immediately upon removing from oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt over cookies for contrast.

Step 10 Cool cookies on baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Use high quality caramels for best flavor.
• Don’t skip freezing—it’s key for texture.
• For more caramel flavor, drizzle extra melted salted caramel on top.
• Variation: add chocolate chips around edges, or swirl in dulce de leche.

Serving Suggestions

• Best served warm, so caramel is still soft.
• Pair with coffee or hot chocolate.
• Great for gifting; wrap cooled cookies with care so caramel doesn’t ooze.

Storage/Reheating

• Store in airtight container. If stored, caramel center may firm up; warm slightly before serving.
• To enjoy fresh, reheat in oven or microwave for a few seconds until caramel softens.

FAQs

Can I make them without freezing?
A: Yes, but expect less crisp edges and more spread; caramel might burn more easily.

What if the caramel leaks too much?
A: Use slightly less caramel or press it deeper so dough wraps around it more fully before baking.

Conclusion

Crispy Salted Caramel Cookies deliver reward in every bite: crisp edges, buttery base, molten caramel center, and salt to balance it all. A treat that’s as fun to bake as it is to eat.

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