Gooey Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Gooey Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe to Enjoy

Sweet and decadent caramel cheesecake cookies promise pure indulgence with every single bite.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats blend rich cream cheese with buttery caramel notes that dance across your palate.

Soft, pillowy cookie bases cradle pockets of golden caramel and smooth cream cheese filling.

Each carefully crafted morsel delivers a luxurious dessert experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

The recipe combines classic bakery techniques with unexpected flavor combinations.

Bakers who love surprising their guests will adore these irresistible cookies that elevate a simple dessert into a memorable culinary moment.

One taste, and you’ll be reaching for another.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 24

What You’ll Need for Caramel Cheesecake Cookies

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps create tender cookie texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve golden, crisp cookie edges.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and creates structural integrity for cookies.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
For Dry Mix Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and provides soft, delicate crumb.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures cookies rise and maintain light, airy texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient flavors.
For Finishing Ingredients:
  • Caramel: Adds luxurious, gooey sweetness and signature flavor to cookies.
  • Cream Cheese: Introduces tangy richness and creates decadent cheesecake-like undertone.

Tools That Make Caramel Cheesecake Cookies

  • Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric Mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar quickly and evenly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients without lumps.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
  • Baking Sheet: Flat surface for placing and baking cookies.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
  • Spatula: Helps scrape batter and fold ingredients gently.

Steps to Bake Caramel Cheesecake Cookies at Home

  • Whip Up the Base

Grab your mixing bowl and blend butter and sugar until they’re cloud-like and super smooth. The key is to create a fluffy foundation that’ll make your cookies irresistible.

  • Bring in the Moisture

Crack an egg into the mixture and splash in some vanilla extract. Stir everything until it looks silky and perfectly combined.

  • Create the Dry Blend

In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures your dry ingredients are lump-free and evenly distributed.

  • Merge the Mixtures

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Gently mix until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix – you want tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

  • Shape and Bake

Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Pop them into a preheated oven and watch the magic happen. Bake until the edges are golden and the centers are set.

  • Soft Cookie Secret: Use room temperature butter for ultra-smooth, creamy cookie dough that blends perfectly.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
  • Caramel Twist: Drizzle melted caramel sauce over cooled cookies or sprinkle sea salt on top for an elegant gourmet touch that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare cookie dough balls and freeze up to 3 months – bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time for fresh-baked treats anytime.

Serve Caramel Cheesecake Cookies to Impress

  • Caramel Drizzle Delight: Generously pour warm caramel sauce over the baked cookies, creating a glossy and indulgent finish that adds rich sweetness.
  • Sweet Sidekick Pairing: Serve these cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm cup of coffee to enhance their delectable caramel cheesecake flavor profile.
  • Decorative Chocolate Touch: Sprinkle melted chocolate chips or drizzle white chocolate over the cookies for an elegant and eye-catching presentation that adds extra decadence.
  • Festive Gift Packaging: Wrap the cookies in clear cellophane with a ribbon, making them a perfect homemade gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.

Tips for Keeping Cheesecake Cookies Soft

  • Smart Cookie Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freezing Friendly: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate prepared dough for 30 minutes before baking to enhance flavor development and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Fully baked cookies can be frozen flat in single layers, then transferred to freezer bags. Thaw at room temperature for soft, delicious treats anytime.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Gooey Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Gooey Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Irresistible caramel cheesecake cookies blend creamy cheesecake richness with buttery cookie texture. Warm spices and sweet caramel notes create a luxurious dessert experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsps granulated sugar
  • ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sea salt (optional, for a salted caramel touch)

Instructions

  1. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar in a large bowl until light, fluffy, and pale, creating an airy foundation for the cookie dough.
  2. Wet Ingredient Integration: Gently fold in egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to establish a smooth, uniform mixture with a glossy sheen.
  3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution and eliminating potential clumps.
  4. Dough Formation: Gradually combine dry ingredients with the butter mixture, using delicate folding techniques to create a cohesive, tender dough without overworking.
  5. Caramel Infusion: Delicately fold caramel pieces throughout the dough, distributing them evenly to guarantee a consistent sweet surprise in every bite.
  6. Chilling Stage: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to enhance flavor development and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  7. Portioning and Shaping: Scoop uniform rounds onto a lined baking sheet, gently pressing to create slight disk shapes that will transform during baking.
  8. Baking Process: Position the cookie sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers appear slightly soft.
  9. Cooling and Finishing: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and setting of the delicate caramel-studded texture.

Notes

  • Butter Softening Technique: Allow butter to reach room temperature naturally for 30-45 minutes, ensuring smooth blending without melting, which creates perfect cookie texture.
  • Minimal Dough Handling: Gently mix ingredients to prevent overworking, keeping cookies tender and preventing tough, dense results that compromise delicate cheesecake cookie structure.
  • Precise Ingredient Incorporation: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps, guaranteeing even distribution and consistent cookie quality throughout the batch.
  • Caramel Variation Option: Drizzle caramel sauce or fold caramel bits into dough for enhanced flavor complexity, creating a more decadent dessert experience with minimal extra effort.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 158
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 64 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 19 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star