Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cookies—Soft, Sweet, and Filled with Gooey Caramel
Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cookies are ultra-soft cookies packed with velvety cream cheese, pockets of gooey caramel, and a touch of sea salt to bring out the richness in every bite. These cookies are thick, chewy, and taste like a blend between a bakery-style cookie and a creamy cheesecake. The cream cheese in the dough adds a tangy softness that perfectly balances the sweet caramel, while a light sprinkle of flaky salt adds a gourmet finish. Whether you’re baking for a fall dessert table, holiday cookie swap, or just want something soft and indulgent, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.
Why You’ll Love These
They stay soft for days and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to the cream cheese. Each bite has a burst of buttery caramel and a rich, balanced flavor that’s sweet but never overwhelming. The salty finish makes them feel fancy and addictive. These are freezer-friendly, great for gifting, and easy to dress up with a caramel drizzle or stuffed center.
Ingredients
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup soft caramel candies, chopped or caramel bits
• Flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in chopped caramel pieces or caramel bits.
- Chill dough for 30–45 minutes for best results.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on prepared sheet.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are set and centers are soft.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips for Soft, Gooey Texture
Chill the dough to keep the cookies thick and prevent spreading. Use soft caramel candies like Kraft or Werther’s, or caramel baking bits. Press a few extra caramel chunks into the tops of the dough balls before baking for gooier tops. Don’t overbake—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Optional Add-Ons
Drizzle cooled cookies with extra caramel sauce. Add white chocolate chips for a sweeter variation. Sprinkle crushed pretzels or toffee bits on top for a salty-sweet crunch. Fill dough balls with a soft caramel center before baking for a molten surprise.
Storage
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep them extra soft, place a slice of bread in the container. These freeze well—just wrap individually and thaw at room temp.
Final Thoughts
Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cookies are a soft, gooey cookie dream with a caramel swirl and creamy tang that makes them stand out from the rest. If you love soft-baked cookies with a twist of luxury, this one’s for you.
Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.
