Description

Delight in these Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies, a perfect balance of rich cream cheese filling nestled in a buttery cookie, topped with luscious caramel sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Soft, slightly tangy, and irresistibly sweet, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with a gourmet twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature (divided)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (divided)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt

Cheesecake Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

1/2 cup caramel sauce
Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Make Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Beat in one of the eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until fully combined to create a smooth, sweet base.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and soft after baking.
Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the remaining egg, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, then mix until well combined and silky.
Assemble Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Gently create a small indentation in the center of each cookie and fill it with about a teaspoon of the cheesecake filling, ensuring each cookie has a creamy center.
Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Add Toppings: Once fully cooled, drizzle the cookies with caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top for a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that enhance the rich cheesecake center.

Notes

For best results, ensure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smooth dough and filling.
Use parchment paper to avoid sticking and for easier cleanup.
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Flaky sea salt adds texture and enhances the caramel flavor, but you can adjust the amount to your liking.
Make sure cookies are completely cool before adding caramel sauce to prevent melting.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies, caramel cookies, cheesecake cookies, dessert cookies, soft cookies, sweet treats