Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Recipe

Quick & Dreamy Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Recipe

Salted caramel cheesecake cookies blend decadent flavors that revamp ordinary dessert expectations into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Sweet and savory notes dance across your palate with unexpected complexity.

Rich layers of creamy texture intertwine with buttery undertones, creating a sensational treat that defies traditional cookie boundaries.

Indulgent ingredients merge seamlessly, promising a sophisticated dessert that elevates simple baking adventures.

Contrasting flavor profiles spark intrigue and tempt even the most discerning sweet lovers.

Crumbly, smooth, and perfectly balanced, these cookies represent a masterful fusion of classic comfort and modern gastronomy.

The magic happens when unexpected elements collide in delightful harmony.

Cookie Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Graham Crackers: Classic base for tender cookies with a hint of graham cracker sweetness, fresh flour ensures best texture.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and helps cookies spread and brown perfectly.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that adds flavor and helps cookies achieve golden edges.
  • Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
Leavening and Seasoning:
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Key ingredients for creating soft, puffy cookie texture with gentle rise.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors in the recipe.
Frosting and Topping Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy base for creamy frosting with rich texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes frosting, creating silky consistency.
  • Marshmallow Creme: Adds lightness and glossy finish to the frosting.
  • Caramel Dip: Provides sweet, golden drizzle with classic caramel flavor.
  • Coarse Sea Salt: Adds delightful crunch and contrasts with sweet elements.

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grab a baking sheet.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cookie Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Whip until the mixture looks light and fluffy like a cloud.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

Pour in:
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until the batter turns a soft, creamy color.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Crushed graham crackers
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until everything blends smoothly.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Dough

Scoop out half-cup sized dough balls. Place 6 on each baking sheet. Gently press down to flatten to about 1 inch thick.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the sheet into the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookies turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Cool Cookie Foundation

Let cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Whip Dreamy Cheesecake Frosting

In a clean bowl, whip cream cheese until silky smooth.

Step 10: Build Frosting Layers

Gradually add:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Marshmallow creme

Mix thoroughly between each addition.

Step 11: Frost with Flair

Fill a zip-top bag with frosting. Snip a small corner. Pipe a spiral of frosting onto warm cookies.

Step 12: Drizzle Caramel Magic

Fill another zip-top bag with caramel dip. Create a zigzag pattern over the frosting.

Step 13: Final Flavor Burst

Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the cookies for a delightful flavor contrast.

Serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure dessert joy!

  • Master Butter Mixing: Cream butter and sugars at room temperature for maximum fluffiness and even incorporation of ingredients.
  • Control Cookie Size: Use a ½-cup measuring scoop for consistent, perfectly shaped cookies that bake evenly.
  • Prevent Overcrowding: Space cookie dough balls at least 2 inches apart to allow proper spreading and golden edges.
  • Cool Strategically: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring, preventing potential crumbling.
  • Frosting Technique: Use a zip-top bag with a cut corner for professional-looking spiral piping and clean caramel drizzles.

Preserving Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies with Ease

  • Refrigerate: Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep layers separated to prevent sticking.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Reheat: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore softness and restore the caramel's gooey texture.

Lovely Companions to Serve with Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies

  • Sip Sweet Harmony: Pair these decadent salted caramel cheesecake cookies with a chilled glass of cold milk or creamy vanilla almond milk to balance the rich, sweet flavors.
  • Brew Perfect Companions: Complement the cookie's caramel notes with a hot espresso or cappuccino, whose robust coffee undertones will enhance the dessert's complex sweetness.
  • Create Dessert Wine Magic: Serve alongside a glass of late harvest Riesling or a smooth moscato, whose light, fruity sweetness will beautifully match the cookie's caramel and cheesecake elements.
  • Craft Refreshing Contrast: Enjoy with a sparkling apple cider or a crisp, cold apple-pear spritzer to cut through the richness and provide a bright, clean palate cleanser between bites.
  • Chocolate Caramel Fusion: Replace graham crackers with cocoa powder for a rich chocolate base, adding dark chocolate chips to enhance the decadent flavor profile.
  • Nutty Salted Caramel Version: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds into the cookie dough for a crunchy texture and nutty undertone that complements the caramel drizzle.
  • Seasonal Spice Remix: Blend warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg into the cookie mixture, creating a cozy autumn-inspired treat that pairs beautifully with the salted caramel.
  • Berry Caramel Surprise: Fold in dried cranberries or finely chopped strawberries to introduce a fruity element that balances the sweet caramel and salty notes.
  • Indulge in Decadent Layers: These salted caramel cheesecake cookies combine multiple flavor profiles, creating a luxurious dessert that blends the richness of cheesecake, the sweetness of caramel, and the classic comfort of a soft cookie.
  • Texture Explosion: Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the crisp cookie exterior, creamy cheesecake frosting, and smooth caramel drizzle, delivering a multi-dimensional mouthfeel that keeps taste buds intrigued.
  • Master Bakery-Style Technique at Home: The recipe teaches professional-level decorating skills like piping frosting and creating elegant caramel drizzles, allowing home bakers to produce bakery-quality treats with simple zip-top bag techniques.
  • Customize Your Treat: The sea salt sprinkle provides a gourmet finishing touch that balances sweetness, transforming an ordinary cookie into an extraordinary dessert experience perfect for special occasions or weekend indulgence.
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Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Recipe

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Recipe


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4.7 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Salted caramel cheesecake cookie blends rich Philadelphia cream cheese with buttery graham cracker crust and silky caramel drizzle. Sweet and salty perfection delivers indulgent comfort that makes dessert lovers swoon and savor each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups salted butter, softened
  • 2 packages graham crackers, crushed (about 2½ cups of crumbs)
  • 16 ounces (oz) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups packed brown sugar
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 7 ounces (oz) marshmallow creme
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup caramel dip

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Coarse sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an optimal baking temperature for the cookies.
  2. Create a creamy butter mixture by combining softened butter with granulated and brown sugars, whipping until the texture becomes light and airy.
  3. Introduce eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until the color transforms and the consistency becomes smooth and uniform.
  4. Craft a dry ingredient blend by mixing flour, crushed graham crackers, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate container.
  5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive cookie dough forms.
  6. Shape the dough into ½-cup portions, positioning 6 balls on each cookie sheet and gently flattening to approximately 1 inch thick.
  7. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior that indicates perfect doneness.
  8. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  9. Prepare the cheesecake frosting by whipping cream cheese until it reaches a silky, smooth consistency.
  10. Incrementally add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly between each addition to create a light, creamy texture.
  11. Fold marshmallow creme into the mixture, ensuring complete integration for a fluffy frosting.
  12. Transfer frosting to a zip-top bag, snip a small corner, and artfully pipe a spiral design onto the cooled cookies.
  13. Fill another zip-top bag with caramel, create a small opening, and elegantly drizzle in a zigzag pattern over the frosted cookies.
  14. Finish by sprinkling coarse sea salt across the cookies, enhancing the sweet and savory flavor profile.

Notes

  • Prep Like a Pro: Gather all ingredients beforehand to streamline the baking process and ensure smooth cookie creation.
  • Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter and eggs for better mixing and a more consistent cookie texture.
  • Graham Cracker Magic: Crushing graham crackers adds a delightful subtle sweetness and unique crumbly texture to the cookie base.
  • Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to prevent breaking and help them set perfectly.
  • Frosting Finesse: Pipe cheesecake frosting in a spiral for a professional bakery-style look that’s both elegant and delicious.
  • Salt Surprise: A sprinkle of coarse sea salt balances the sweetness and elevates the entire salted caramel flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 665
  • Sugar: 69 g
  • Sodium: 390 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 21 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 83 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 107 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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