Gooey Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Golden Swirl: Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Recipe

Sweet meets decadent in this irresistible salted caramel cheesecake cookie recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Creamy cheesecake notes dance with rich caramel undertones, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.

The delicate balance of salt and sweetness makes each bite a luxurious experience.

Soft, buttery cookies melt in your mouth with unexpected richness.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet sophisticated dessert.

These cookies blend comfort and elegance in every delightful morsel.

One taste will have you falling head over heels for this delectable treat that’s sure to become your new favorite dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 580 kcal

Servings: 13

For Cookie Base:
  • Graham Crackers: Adds delightful crumbly texture and classic graham flavor, choose crisp and fresh crackers for best results.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for cookies, select unbleached flour for optimal baking performance.
  • Butter: Creates rich, tender base with deep golden color, use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Delivers sweetness and caramelization, opt for pure cane sugar for enhanced flavor profile.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture, select fresh large eggs from free-range chickens.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Ensures perfect cookie rise and tender crumb, check expiration dates for maximum effectiveness.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine-grain table salt.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic undertones, choose pure vanilla for authentic taste.
For Creamy Frosting:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base for frosting, select full-fat variety for luxurious texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides silky sweetness and structure, sift to prevent lumps.
  • Marshmallow Creme: Adds fluffy, glossy finish with subtle sweetness, use fresh container.
For Decadent Topping:
  • Caramel Dip: Delivers rich, golden drizzle with intense sweetness, select high-quality prepared caramel.
  • Coarse Sea Salt: Provides dramatic flavor contrast and gourmet finishing touch, choose flaky, large-crystal salt.
  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, creating a fluffy texture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Baking sheets: Needed to bake cookie dough evenly.
  • Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool without getting soggy.
  • Zip-top bags: Great for piping frosting and caramel drizzle.
  • Spatula: Useful for scraping and mixing ingredients.
  • Small bowl: Helpful for mixing dry ingredients separately.
  • Sharp knife: Handy for cutting bag corners when drizzling.
  • Soft Cookie Base

Blend butter and sugars into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Incorporate eggs and vanilla until the batter becomes silky smooth. Gently fold in dry ingredients, creating a rich dough that promises delightful texture.

  • Baking Magic

Shape generous dough balls and place them on baking sheets. Press lightly to create rustic, hearty cookies. Bake until edges turn golden and centers remain tender, releasing an irresistible aroma.

  • Creamy Cheesecake Topping

Whip cream cheese until velvety. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, creating a luxurious frosting. Fold in marshmallow creme for an extra dreamy consistency.

  • Caramel Finale

Let cookies cool slightly. Swirl cheesecake frosting across warm surfaces in elegant spirals. Drizzle rich caramel in playful zigzag patterns. Sprinkle sea salt crystals for a sophisticated flavor burst.

  • Serving Suggestion

Enjoy these decadent treats while still warm, letting the layers of flavor dance across your palate. Each bite combines the comfort of classic cookies with gourmet cheesecake indulgence.

  • Replace graham crackers with crushed pretzels or vanilla wafers for a unique crunchy texture and unexpected flavor profile.
  • Adjust dough ball size to create thinner, crispier cookies or thicker, softer versions depending on personal preference.
  • Mix a pinch of ground cinnamon or espresso powder into caramel drizzle to deepen the rich, complex flavor notes.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain frosting integrity and prevent sticking for up to 3 days.
  • Use a small kitchen torch to lightly caramelize sea salt before sprinkling for a gourmet touch and enhanced flavor complexity.
  • Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair these indulgent cookies with a steaming cappuccino or cold glass of milk for a delightful morning treat that balances the rich caramel and creamy cheesecake flavors.
  • Dessert Platter Presentation: Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh berries, chocolate shavings, and a small ramekin of extra sea salt to create an elegant and Instagram-worthy dessert spread.
  • Party Serving Style: Stack the cookies in a decorative glass cake stand or tiered tray for gatherings, allowing guests to easily grab these irresistible treats during social events or holiday celebrations.
  • Gourmet Gift Packaging: Wrap cooled cookies individually in parchment paper, tie with a beautiful ribbon, and create a homemade gift box perfect for sharing with friends, colleagues, or as a thoughtful edible present.
  • Fridge Friendly Storage: Keep the salted caramel cheesecake cookies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stack them carefully between wax paper sheets to prevent sticking and maintain their delightful texture.
  • Freezer Magic Technique: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. These delectable treats can stay frozen for 2-3 weeks without losing their incredible flavor profile. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare the cookie dough and cheesecake frosting a day in advance. Store the dough in the refrigerator and the frosting in a sealed container, keeping them fresh and ready for quick assembly when dessert cravings strike.
  • Serving Temperature Trick: For the most luxurious experience, allow refrigerated cookies to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. This short waiting period helps restore the cookies' soft texture and enhances the caramel and cheesecake flavors, creating a melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
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Gooey Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Gooey Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies


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4.5 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Scrumptious salted caramel cheesecake cookie blends creamy Philadelphia cream cheese with buttery graham cracker crust. Smooth caramel and sea salt elevate this indulgent dessert for you to savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups (360 ml) salted butter, softened
  • 16 oz (454 g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 packages graham crackers, crushed (about 2½ cups/300 g of crumbs)
  • 3¾ cups (450 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups (300 g) packed brown sugar
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
  • 7 oz (198 g) marshmallow creme
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) caramel dip
  • 2 tsps baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Coarse sea salt (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C) for optimal cookie baking conditions.
  2. Cream Base: Whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy and light, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
  3. Bind Ingredients: Integrate eggs and vanilla extract into butter mixture, blending until color and consistency become uniform and silky.
  4. Combine Dry Components: Sift together flour, crushed graham crackers, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
  5. Form Dough: Merge dry ingredients with wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive cookie dough emerges, avoiding over-mixing.
  6. Shape and Prepare: Mold dough into ½-cup portions, placing 6 balls per cookie sheet and gently flattening to 1-inch thickness.
  7. Bake and Cool: Roast cookies for 12-15 minutes until golden-brown, then rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
  8. Craft Frosting: Whip cream cheese until silky, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and marshmallow creme for a light, airy texture.
  9. Decorate Cookies: Pipe frosting in spiral design using zip-top bag, then drizzle caramel in zigzag pattern across surface.
  10. Finish: Sprinkle coarse sea salt over cookies to amplify the sweet-savory flavor profile and enhance overall taste experience.

Notes

  • Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal cookie texture and consistency.
  • Avoid Overmixing Dough: Gently combine dry and wet ingredients to prevent tough, dense cookies.
  • Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and achieve ideal cookie shape.
  • Salt Technique: Sprinkle sea salt just before serving to maintain its crisp texture and prevent moisture absorption.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 42 g
  • Sodium: 420 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 69 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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