06/08/2026
Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies
INGREDIENTS
• 2.3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.8 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 0.8 cups granulated sugar
• 0.5 cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 8 ounces oz cream cheese, softened
• 0.3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract (for filling)
• 0.5 cups thick caramel sauce or dulce de leche
• 1.5 teaspoons flaky sea salt (for topping)
• 0.5 cups caramel sauce (extra for drizzling)
STEPS
1. Make & freeze the cheesecake filling: Beat 8 ounces oz cream cheese, softened, 0.3 cups powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoons vanilla extract (for filling) together with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scoop into 24 small teaspoon-sized mounds on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for 20–25 minutes until firm.
2. Make the cookie dough: In a bowl, whisk together 2.3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoons baking soda, and 0.5 teaspoons salt. In a separate large bowl, beat 0.8 cups unsalted butter, softened, 0.8 cups granulated sugar, and 0.5 cups brown sugar, packed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 2 large eggs, room temperature one at a time, then mix in 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract. Gradually fold in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms.
3. Stuff the cookies: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough and flatten into a disk in your palm. Place a frozen cheesecake mound in the center and add a small drizzle of 0.5 cups thick caramel sauce or dulce de leche on top of the filling. Wrap the dough around the filling, sealing the edges well, and roll into a ball.
4. Chill the dough balls: Place stuffed dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Meanwhile preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Bake the cookies: Bake for 11–13 minutes until the edges are set and lightly golden. The centers will look slightly underdone — that's perfect. They will firm up as they cool.
6. Drizzle & salt the cookies: Immediately after removing from the oven, drizzle each warm cookie with 0.5 cups caramel sauce (extra for drizzling) and sprinkle generously with 1.5 teaspoons flaky sea salt (for topping). Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
NOTES
**Tips for success:**
- Chill the cheesecake filling for at least 20 minutes before scooping — it holds its shape much better when cold.
- Use a thick store-bought caramel or homemade dulce de leche; thin caramel sauces will spread and burn.
- Don't skip chilling the assembled cookie dough balls — it prevents spreading and keeps the filling intact.
- Add the flaky sea salt immediately after baking while the cookies are still warm so it sticks.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days — they taste even better on day 2!
---
` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `