Description
These salted caramel cookies are irresistibly soft and chewy with a perfect balance of rich buttery caramel and a hint of sea salt. Simple to make with pantry staples, they offer a delightful sweet and salty experience ideal for any occasion. Customizable and suitable for gluten-free adaptations, these cookies melt in your mouth and are sure to become a favorite treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum if not included)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sugars
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Main Flavorings & Add-ins
- 1 cup caramel bits or chopped caramel candies
- Sea salt flakes, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Bring the unsalted butter to room temperature for easy creaming. Sift together the gluten-free flour blend, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution in the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating the foundation for soft, chewy cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract one at a time, beating well after each addition to aerate the batter and achieve a smooth consistency.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the sifted flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until no dry flour remains. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
- Fold in Caramel Bits: Gently fold caramel bits or chopped caramel candies evenly throughout the dough to ensure gooey caramel pockets in each cookie.
- Portion and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form dough balls and place them spaced apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle sea salt flakes on top of each dough ball. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This allows them to firm up slightly while maintaining a chewy center.
Notes
- Use high-quality caramel bits or homemade caramel for best flavor.
- Chill dough for at least 30 minutes to reduce spreading and enhance flavor.
- Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers are slightly underbaked; they will firm up while cooling.
- Sprinkle sea salt flakes just before baking to preserve their crunchy texture and salty contrast.
- Ensure all ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for consistent dough texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: salted caramel cookies, gluten free cookies, chewy cookies, caramel treats, homemade cookies, caramel bits, sweet and salty dessert
