Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe

Get ready to welcome a new favorite into your cookie repertoire with this Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe. Imagine biting into a golden-brown cookie with a perfectly crisp edge, a chewy center bursting with buttery toffee and rich caramel bits, all elevated by a flake of sea salt that dances on your taste buds. These cookies are not just sweet treats; they are the ultimate combination of salty, sweet, and crunchy that brings comfort and a touch of indulgence to every bite. Whether for a cozy night in or sharing with friends and family, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for satisfying that cookie craving like no other.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe only calls for straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients, but each one plays a vital role in creating the cookie’s delicious texture and flavor. From the creamy butter to the mix of toffee and caramel bits, every element is essential to the magic.

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a rich, creamy base essential for tender yet slightly crisp cookies.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and contributes to the crisp edge of the cookies.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor for chewiness and depth.
• 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cookies.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for structure, creating the perfect cookie crumb.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread to a delightful shape.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors within the dough.
• 1 cup toffee bits: Adds crunchy bursts of buttery caramelized sugar throughout each bite.
• 1 cup caramel bits: Melts slightly to give gooey pockets of caramel delight inside every cookie.
• 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for topping: The final touch that adds a sophisticated salt crunch on top.

How to Make Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the sheet easily, giving you that perfect texture every time.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This step introduces air that lightens the cookies while ensuring a rich buttery base for flavor.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavor

Next, incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition so everything mixes smoothly. Stir in the vanilla extract which will deepen the aroma and overall taste in the finished cookies.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed to help your cookies rise and taste balanced.

Step 5: Mix Dry Into Wet

Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter and sugar bowl, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so blend until you no longer see dry streaks.

Step 6: Add Toffee and Caramel Bits

Gently fold in the toffee and caramel bits, making sure they are spread evenly throughout the dough. These bits bring that unforgettable crunch and ooey-gooey caramel goodness in every bite.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart. This allows them enough room to spread without merging together.

Step 8: Sprinkle Sea Salt

Lightly dust the tops of each cookie with flaky sea salt. This small step transforms each cookie with a touch of sophisticated saltiness that balances perfectly with the sweetness.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookie edges turn golden and the centers set but remain soft. This timing is key for capturing that ideal chewy texture.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling allows the cookies to firm up just right, so they won’t crumble when you pick them up.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle a tiny extra pinch of flaky sea salt just before serving to highlight the candy’s sweetness and enhance the overall flavor complexity. You can also add a drizzle of melted caramel over the top for a dazzling, show-stopping presentation.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk, a cup of strong coffee, or warm chai tea to balance the sweetness with contrasting flavors. They also go wonderfully alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the cookies stacked on a rustic wooden platter with small bowls of extra toffee bits and caramel sauce on the side for dipping. For parties, arrange them in festive boxes with a sprinkle of gold edible glitter to add sparkle and joy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and chewy for up to five days. Adding a slice of bread into the container helps maintain softness by absorbing excess air moisture.

Freezing

If you want to keep these cookies longer, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. They freeze beautifully for up to three months, and you can thaw them at room temperature when ready.

Reheating

To enjoy warm cookies again, pop them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave briefly for 10 seconds. This refreshes their texture and melts the caramel slightly for that fresh-baked experience.

FAQs

Can I substitute the toffee bits or caramel bits?

Absolutely! You can swap toffee bits with chopped pecans or butterscotch chips, and caramel bits can be replaced with chocolate chips if you prefer a different flavor twist. Just keep the ratios similar to maintain texture.

How important is the flaky sea salt topping?

The flaky sea salt is a game-changer for this recipe. It balances the sweetness and adds a delightful crunch. If you skip it, the cookies will still taste great but won’t have that signature salty-sweet contrast.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

With some ingredient swaps like vegan butter, flax eggs, and dairy-free caramel bits, you can adapt this Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe. However, the toffee bits might contain dairy, so check labels carefully or look for vegan alternatives.

Why do the cookies need to cool before moving to a wire rack?

Cooling on the baking sheet lets the cookies firm up so they don’t break apart when you transfer them. It also finishes the baking process gently from residual heat, ensuring perfect texture inside and out.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Making the dough a day in advance and keeping it chilled helps the flavors meld and controls how much the cookies spread during baking. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies Recipe is truly a winner that will brighten any day with its perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Once you try them, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again. So go ahead, mix up a batch, and treat yourself—you deserve that little moment of sweet, salty bliss that only these cookies can deliver!

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