If you’ve ever dreamed of a cookie that brings together the irresistible flavors of butter, sweet caramel, crunchy toffee, and a hint of sea salt, then this Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These cookies perfectly balance sweet and salty with a delightful texture that combines soft centers and a satisfying crunch, making every bite a celebration of flavor and comfort. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies never fail to impress and are surprisingly simple to whip up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is like setting the stage for a delicious performance. Each component in this Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect harmony of taste and texture, from the creamy butter to the crunchy toffee bits.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides rich creaminess and the perfect tender crumb.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that delightful crisp edge.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed: Brings moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add a bit of structure to the cookies.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances flavor with warm, sweet aroma.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough, providing stability and texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and develop that perfect bite.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- 1 cup toffee bits: Adds a delightful crunch and buttery, caramel notes.
- 1 cup caramel bits: Melts slightly to give pockets of gooey caramel in every bite.
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for topping: Creates a perfect salty contrast to the sweetness.
How to Make Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender, chewy texture and deliciously sweet base.
Step 3: Beat in Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to make sure everything combines smoothly. Then stir in the vanilla extract for that warm, inviting scent.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed, which helps the cookies rise perfectly and have balanced flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to tougher cookies, so take it slow here for the best texture.
Step 6: Fold in Toffee and Caramel Bits
Gently fold in the toffee bits and caramel bits, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. These are the stars that give the Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe its signature texture and flavor burst.
Step 7: Scoop and Sprinkle
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Lightly sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt to add that irresistible finishing touch.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers are set. Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely—this helps them firm up without losing any chewiness.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A little extra can go a long way! Add a sprinkle of crunchy sea salt flakes or drizzle a touch of melted caramel over the cooled cookies for that elegant, irresistible finish.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a creamy vanilla ice cream or a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate. They balance each other beautifully, allowing the salted caramel flavors to shine even brighter.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of caramel sauce and toffee bits nearby for dipping. For a fun twist, sandwich softened vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a homemade ice cream treat everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay wonderfully soft and flavorful for up to a week, ready whenever your sweet tooth strikes.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To enjoy a fresh-from-the-oven taste, simply warm the cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for a few minutes. This melts the caramel bits slightly and revives their delightful softness.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can, but be aware that the overall saltiness will be higher since the recipe already includes flaky sea salt topping and salt in the dough. You may want to reduce the added salt slightly for balance.
What if I don’t have toffee bits?
No worries! You can substitute chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for a different type of crunchy texture, or even chocolate chips for a sweeter twist.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be sure the blend includes xanthan gum for structure.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted and use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to provide some grip. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps maintain the cookie shape.
What causes the caramel bits to sink?
The soft caramel bits can settle a bit while baking, but folding them gently and evenly into the dough helps keep them distributed. Using slightly firmer caramel bits can also help them stay suspended better.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the way the sweet caramel, crunchy toffee, and flaky sea salt come together in this Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe. It’s the kind of treat you’ll want to bake over and over again, whether for a cozy night in, a gathering with friends, or just because life is sweeter with a cookie in hand. Dive in and enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert – Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies combine the perfect balance of sweet and salty with buttery cookie dough loaded with toffee and caramel bits, topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an irresistible crunchy treat. Perfect for cookie lovers looking for a luscious caramel twist.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins & Topping
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 cup caramel bits
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them, then stir in the vanilla extract to add depth of flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening agent and salt evenly throughout the flour.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in mix-ins: Gently fold in the toffee bits and caramel bits until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough to ensure every bite has a crunchy caramel surprise.
- Shape cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Sprinkle sea salt: Lightly sprinkle the tops of each cookie with flaky sea salt to enhance the sweet and salty flavor contrast.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers are set, indicating perfectly baked cookies.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming.
- For extra chewiness, slightly underbake the cookies by a minute.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Toffee and caramel bits can sometimes melt together slightly; chill dough if desired for thicker cookies.
- If you prefer, substitute caramel bits with chopped caramel candies.
