If you love the perfect balance of sweet and salty with a delightful crunch in every bite, the Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These cookies combine buttery dough with rich caramel bits and crispy toffee, all topped with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt that elevates each mouthful into something truly special. Whether it’s for sharing with friends, a cozy night in, or just because you deserve a treat, this recipe delivers a crave-worthy cookie experience that’s as fun to bake as it is to enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in building those unforgettable flavors and textures. From the creamy butter that creates a soft base to the crunchy toffee and smooth caramel bits that give the cookies their signature crunch and gooey pockets, every item here is simple but essential.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides that rich, creamy texture and perfect cookie base.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies crisp up around the edges.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed: Brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor to deepen the taste.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the dough together and adds tenderness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors with its warm aroma.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookies for that perfect chew.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just right and maintain a soft texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts the overall flavor.
- 1 cup toffee bits: Adds buttery crunch and caramelized goodness in every bite.
- 1 cup caramel bits: Creates melty, gooey caramel pockets throughout the cookie.
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for topping: A finishing touch that makes each bite pop with that signature salty snap.
How to Make Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and come off easily with a perfect golden bottom.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This creaming step is essential for that tender texture and helps the cookies rise evenly.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time so they incorporate smoothly, then stir in vanilla extract to give your dough that lovely aromatic base that enhances every flavor note.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute those leavening and seasoning agents. This ensures each cookie tastes perfectly balanced and rises just right.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. You want the dough just combined to avoid tough cookies — soft and chewy is the goal!
Step 6: Fold in Toffee and Caramel Bits
Gently fold in the toffee and caramel bits until they’re beautifully scattered throughout the dough, promising little bursts of crunchy sweetness and gooey caramel magic in every bite.
Step 7: Shape and Salt Your Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your baking sheet, making sure there’s about 2 inches between them to give the cookies space to spread. Lightly sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt for that unforgettable salted caramel contrast.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn golden and the centers look set but still soft. This is the sweet spot for soft, chewy cookies with crunchy edges.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—this resting time helps them firm up just enough before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready to savor the incredible Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe experience!
How to Serve Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, sprinkle some additional flaky sea salt right before serving. It amps up that irresistible salty-sweet contrast, making each bite even more exciting. A light drizzle of caramel sauce can also add a glossy, decadent touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies are perfect with a cold glass of milk, of course! But they also pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of strong coffee or tea for a delightful dessert pairing. The salt and caramel flavors complement both creamy and bold beverages splendidly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of caramel dip and extra toffee bits alongside for a fun, interactive treat setup. Or, sandwich two cookies with a dollop of whipped cream or caramel buttercream for delightful cookie sandwiches that are perfect for parties or gifting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps them soft on the inside with just enough crunch on the outside — perfect for nibbling throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray lined with parchment and freezing until firm. Then, transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake frozen dough a couple of minutes longer when ready to enjoy fresh-baked cookies anytime.
Reheating
For that freshly-baked warmth, gently reheat your cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This quickly revives their softness and helps the caramel and toffee bits regain their melty goodness.
FAQs
Can I substitute the caramel bits for something else?
If you don’t have caramel bits, chopped soft caramels or small chunks of caramel candy can work beautifully in this recipe. Just be sure to shake off any excess sugar coating to avoid altering the dough texture.
Why is flaky sea salt used instead of regular table salt?
Flaky sea salt adds a delicate crunch and bursts of saltiness that dissolve slowly, enhancing the caramel flavor without overwhelming the cookie. Table salt is finer and can easily make the cookies too salty.
Can I make these cookies gluten free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup. This keeps the texture close to the original while accommodating dietary needs.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for golden edges and centers that appear set but still soft; the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool. Avoid baking too long to prevent dry, crunchy cookies.
Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Unsalted butter is recommended here to control the level of salt precisely since the recipe also calls for sea salt topping. Using salted butter could make your cookies a bit too salty, but if that’s all you have, reduce or omit the additional salt in the dough.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe is a total game-changer when you want a treat that’s rich, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. The way the sweet and salty notes play off each other alongside that irresistible crunchy-chewy combo makes this recipe one you’ll want to keep in your baking rotation forever. So go ahead, grab those ingredients, and bake a batch to share (or keep all to yourself!)—you’ll be so glad you did.
Print
Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies combine buttery, chewy cookie dough with sweet caramel and crunchy toffee bits, topped with a touch of flaky sea salt for the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ideal for a delightful treat that satisfies your sweet tooth with a caramel twist.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Topping
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 cup caramel bits
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Fold in the toffee bits and caramel bits until they are evenly spread throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Add Sea Salt: Lightly sprinkle the tops of each cookie dough mound with flaky sea salt to enhance the caramel’s sweetness.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overmix the dough once the flour is added.
- Using room temperature butter helps achieve a light and fluffy dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Toffee bits can be swapped with chopped nuts for a different crunch.
- Flaky sea salt adds a nice contrast—do not substitute with regular table salt.
