Sweet Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Sweet Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Decadent sweet salted caramel cheesecake cookies burst with creamy indulgence and irresistible flavor.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats combine rich cream cheese with delicate caramel notes for an extraordinary dessert experience.

Each cookie promises a perfect balance of sweet and salty sensations that dance across your palate.

Soft, buttery textures mingle with luxurious caramel swirls, creating a heavenly bite every time.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dessert that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Smooth cream cheese and golden caramel provide a luxurious backdrop for these delightful cookies.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that elevates your baking skills and delights every taste bud.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients That Make Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Pop

For Cheesecake Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers rich, velvety texture and tangy flavor base for the creamy center.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds delicate sweetness and helps create smooth, silky consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall flavor profile.
For Cookie Dough Base:
  • Butter: Creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and adds luxurious richness.
  • Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and helps maintain soft, chewy cookie structure.
  • Granulated Sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps with precise cookie spread.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure and moisture.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the fundamental cookie framework with perfect tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda: Ensures proper rising and helps achieve golden, crisp edges.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor complexity.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Caramel Sauce: Adds indulgent, glossy sweetness and creates beautiful drizzle effect.
  • Flaky Sea Salt: Provides delightful crunch and enhances caramel's rich flavor profile.
  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and easily.
  • Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese and cookie dough to light, fluffy consistency.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Baking sheet: Needed for freezing cheesecake filling and baking cookies.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Small cookie scoop or tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.
  • Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients thoroughly.

How to Bake Soft Cheesecake Cookies With Caramel

  • Whip Up Cheesecake Centers

Blend cream cheese with sweet powders and vanilla until velvety smooth. Drop tiny dollops onto a lined tray and freeze solid for half an hour.

  • Create Cookie Dough Base

Cream together butter and sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Introduce egg and vanilla, mixing until perfectly combined. Gently fold in dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.

  • Craft Delicious Cookie Packages

Heat kitchen oven to 350°F. Grab a chunk of dough, flatten it gently. Nestle a frozen cheesecake center inside, then lovingly wrap the dough around to create a perfect sphere. Space these treasures two inches apart on baking sheet.

  • Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide cookies into hot oven. Watch magic happen as edges turn golden and centers become tender – about 10-12 minutes. Let cookies rest momentarily on baking sheet to stabilize.

  • Finish with Decadent Drizzle

Once cooled, cascade warm caramel across cookie surfaces. Sprinkle delicate sea salt crystals for a flavor explosion. Serve and watch smiles emerge.

  • Freeze cheesecake filling for exactly 30 minutes to ensure easy handling and prevent melting during cookie assembly.
  • Prepare frozen cheesecake balls and cookie dough up to 3 days in advance, storing separately in airtight containers for quick baking.
  • Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Use store-bought caramel sauce for convenience or make homemade salted caramel for a more intense, rich flavor profile.
  • Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness and texture.

Serve These Cookies With Iced Coffee or Tea

  • Cozy Dessert Companions: Pair these cookies with a warm mug of vanilla latte or hot chocolate for a comforting treat that melts in your mouth.
  • Sweet Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a decorative platter with additional sea salt flakes and caramel drizzle for an elegant dessert presentation that wows guests.
  • Gifting Delights: Package cooled cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, perfect for holiday gifts or potluck contributions that showcase your baking skills.
  • Indulgent Ice Cream Sandwich: Split the cookie in half and sandwich a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream between the layers for an extra decadent summer dessert experience.

Store Cheesecake Cookies in a Sealed Tin

  • Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and preventing cheesecake filling from melting.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags for convenient storage up to 3 months, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings or last-minute dessert needs.
  • Keep cookies at cool room temperature for immediate serving, ensuring maximum flavor within 24 hours of baking for optimal taste and texture.
  • Prepare cheesecake filling and cookie dough separately 2-3 days before assembling, refrigerating components to streamline baking process and enhance flavor development.
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Sweet Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Sweet Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Sinful salted caramel cheesecake cookies blend creamy cheesecake richness with sweet-salty caramel magic. Rich cookie perfection invites indulgence with each heavenly bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) unsalted butter, softened
  • 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (120 ml) store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: Whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. Portion into tiny dollops on a lined baking sheet and freeze for half an hour until solidified.
  2. Create Cookie Dough: Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until airy and light. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, then gradually fold into the wet mixture.
  3. Cookie Formation: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheet with parchment. Flatten cookie dough portions, nestle frozen cheesecake ball in center, and encase completely, rolling into uniform spheres. Position cookies with ample spacing.
  4. Baking Process: Slide cookies into preheated oven, baking 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers stabilize. Allow brief resting period on baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack.
  5. Finishing Touch: Cascade warm caramel sauce over cooled cookies, finishing with delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt for sophisticated flavor contrast. Serve and savor these decadent treats.

Notes

  • Use a small cookie scoop or spoon for uniform cheesecake dollops, ensuring consistent size and easier freezing process.
  • Chill cookie dough for 15-20 minutes before assembling to maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Completely encase cheesecake filling within cookie dough to prevent leakage and ensure smooth, professional-looking cookies.
  • Allow cookies to cool slightly before caramel drizzle to prevent sauce from becoming too runny and maintain attractive presentation.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 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.

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