Name: Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (straight from fridge or room temperature, do not use softened or warm butter); ¾ cup brown sugar; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 10 oz. bag HERSHEY’S Kitchens Sea Salt Caramel Chips; 1 cup white chocolate chips; Optional: 1 ½ cups soft caramel bits (like Kraft or Nuts.com)

Jump to Recipe

If you are a fan of that perfect balance between sweet and salty, the Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies are going to become your new obsession. These cookies bring together the rich creaminess of white chocolate with the irresistible pop of salted caramel chips, all baked into a soft and chewy cookie that melts in your mouth. Every bite offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures, making them the ultimate treat whether for sharing at gatherings or indulging in a cozy night at home.

Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the perfect Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies starts with simple but thoughtfully selected ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building that luscious flavor and chewy texture that define this cookie.

Unsalted butter (1 cup): Using chilled or room temperature butter gives structure without greasiness, so avoid softened or warm butter for the best texture.
Brown sugar (¾ cup): Adds moistness and a rich molasses flavor essential for chewy cookies.
Granulated sugar (1 cup): Balances sweetness and helps crisp the edges slightly.
Large eggs (2): Bind the dough and add richness to every bite.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Deepens the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
All-purpose flour (3 ½ cups): The sturdy base that creates just the right amount of chewiness and shape.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise gently for a soft texture.
Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Provides extra lift while keeping the cookie tender.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and complements the sweet ingredients.
HERSHEY’S Kitchens Sea Salt Caramel Chips (10 oz.): The star ingredient! These chunks of salted caramel bring gooey bursts of flavor throughout.
White chocolate chips (1 cup): Melt into creamy pockets of sweetness perfectly offsetting the caramel.
Soft caramel bits (optional, 1 ½ cups): For an extra gooey caramel punch, these bits can be folded in to level up the decadence.

How to Make Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat mat to ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly. This simple prep step makes all the difference when it comes to easy cleanup and perfect cookie bottoms.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the chilled or room temperature unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes a few minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into your dough for a tender crumb.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract. This builds the dough’s richness and depth, ensuring each cookie will be bursting with flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so keep it gentle.

Step 5: Fold in the Chips and Caramel

Now the fun part! Fold in the sea salt caramel chips, white chocolate chips, and if you’re feeling adventurous, the soft caramel bits. They’ll distribute throughout the dough, creating little pockets of sweet and salty magic with every bite. Since the butter wasn’t warm, there’s no need to chill the dough before scooping.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Using a cookie scoop or a ¼ cup measure, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are just firm and centers still look soft. This helps keep that perfect chewy center.

Step 7: Cool Your Creations

Once baked, leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies firm up just enough while staying delightfully soft inside.

How to Serve Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies

Garnishes

To elevate your Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies even more, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the top right after baking. This adds a fancy touch and enhances the salted caramel’s flavor. For a touch of elegance, drizzle some melted white chocolate on the cooled cookies.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee, both of which balance out the sweetness beautifully. For an indulgent dessert plate, serve alongside vanilla or salted caramel ice cream to create a heavenly treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Looking to impress guests? Stack a few Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies as mini towers bound with a ribbon or place each cookie in a small, decorative bag tied with twine for gifting. You could also sandwich some whipped cream or softened caramel between two cookies to create a decadent sandwich version.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread into the container helps maintain their softness by trapping moisture.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag once firm. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months. You can also freeze the raw dough balls in advance for easy baking later.

Reheating

To bring your cookies back to that just-baked warmth, microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds or warm in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes. This melts the white chocolate and caramel chips back to that fresh-from-the-oven gooey bliss.

FAQs

Can I substitute regular caramel for the sea salt caramel chips?

While regular caramel chips can work in a pinch, the sea salt caramel chips offer that perfect salty-sweet contrast that defines these cookies. For best flavor, stick to the salted variety.

Do I have to use both baking soda and baking powder?

Yes, the combination of baking soda and baking powder helps achieve the ideal rise and texture. Baking soda reacts with the acids in brown sugar and caramel, while baking powder adds additional lift.

Is there a way to make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be sure your leavening agents and chips are gluten-free as well.

Can I make smaller or larger cookies with this recipe?

Definitely. Smaller cookies bake faster and come out crispier, while larger scoops like the ¼ cup we recommend result in thick, soft cookies with gooey centers. Adjust baking time accordingly.

Should I chill the dough before baking?

Since this recipe uses chilled or room temperature butter, chilling the dough isn’t necessary unless your kitchen is very warm. Room temperature dough results in soft, well-spread cookies.

Final Thoughts

Trust me when I say once you try these Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies, they’ll steal your heart (and your cookie jar). They blend the best of sweet and salty in a way that keeps you reaching for just one more. So why wait? Gather your ingredients, whip up a batch, and treat yourself to one of life’s truly comforting cookies!

Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 24 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies combine the rich, smooth sweetness of white chocolate with the decadent flavor of salted caramel, creating a perfect blend of sweet and salty in every bite. Soft and chewy with a hint of sea salt, they make an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat and set it aside to keep your cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the cold or room temperature unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Once combined, add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for soft cookies.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which could make cookies tough.
Incorporate Mix-ins: Fold in the sea salt caramel chips, white chocolate chips, and if using, the soft caramel bits. Mix gently until the chips are evenly distributed through the dough. There’s no need to chill the dough unless it’s become warm during mixing.
Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop (approximately ¼ cup size), drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers still look soft. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For best texture, use cold or room temperature butter; avoid softened or melted butter which can alter the cookie consistency.
Don’t skip the sea salt caramel chips to keep the perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors.
Optional caramel bits add extra chewiness and caramel flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to prevent cookies from merging together.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezing cookie dough balls before baking can help maintain shape and improve texture if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American