Ready for a cookie that’s anything but ordinary? Imagine chewy brown sugar cookie dough stuffed with rich caramel and loaded with a delightful, crunchy surprise, all finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. These Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies deliver gourmet flavor and texture in just 30 minutes from bowl to plate. Perfect for when a sudden sweet tooth strikes or you need an impressive dessert in a flash, these cookies are your new secret weapon. Let’s bake!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will become obsessed with this Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies recipe because it masterfully combines convenience with decadence.
- First, the dough comes together in one bowl with no chilling required, yes, you read that right, no chill time.
- Second, the combination of soft, chewy cookies, melty caramel, and that signature “crunch” creates a symphony of textures in every bite.
- Finally, that whisper of sea salt on top elevates the entire experience, cutting the sweetness and making these Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies utterly irresistible.
It’s a foolproof path to bakery-quality results in your own kitchen, faster than you can preheat the oven.
Print
Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies: The Best 30-Minute Treat
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy salted caramel crunch cookies with chewy centers, crisp edges, gooey caramel bits, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet-salty bite.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. In a bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- 3. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- 4. Stir in flour and baking soda just until a soft dough forms.
- 5. Fold in caramel bits evenly.
- 6. Scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies apart.
- 7. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers are slightly soft.
- 8. Remove from oven and sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
- 9. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Do not overbake for the best chewy texture.
- Chopped toffee bits can be added for extra crunch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: salted caramel cookies,easy cookies,caramel crunch cookies,sweet salty dessert
HOW TO MAKE EASY SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH COOKIES
The magic of these Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies lies in their simplicity. We start by making a straightforward, rich brown sugar cookie dough. The “crunch” element, think toffee bits, crushed pretzels, or even nuts, gets folded right in.
We then use a clever trick: stuffing a soft caramel square into the center of each dough ball. As they bake, the caramel melts into a gooey pocket, while the edges of the cookie turn perfectly golden and crisp. A quick sprinkle of sea salt when they’re fresh from the oven seals the deal.
INGREDIENTS
Gather these simple ingredients for your cookie masterpiece:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup (150g) of your “crunch” element (e.g., chopped toffee bits, crushed pretzel pieces, or toasted pecans)
For Assembly & Finishing:
- 12-15 soft caramel squares (like Kraft or Werther’s)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS
Let’s walk through making these Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies step-by-step.
STEP 1: PREPARE. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
STEP 2: MAKE THE DOUGH. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in your chosen “crunch” element with a spatula.
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE COOKIES. Scoop dough into 3-tablespoon-sized balls (a large cookie scoop works perfectly). Flatten a ball slightly in your palm, place one caramel square in the center, and carefully fold the dough around it, sealing completely. Roll it back into a smooth ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches between each cookie as they will spread.
STEP 4: BAKE. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look just set. They will still be soft.
STEP 5: FINISH. Immediately upon removing the trays from the oven, gently press a few extra pieces of your “crunch” element onto the top of each cookie if desired, and sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The caramel will be extremely hot!
HOW TO SERVE EASY SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH COOKIES
Serve these Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies slightly warm for an epic, melty caramel experience, or at room temperature once the caramel has firmed up slightly. They pair divinely with a cold glass of milk, a hot coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two for the ultimate indulgence.
HOW TO STORE EASY SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH COOKIES
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST EASY SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH COOKIES
- Room Temperature Matters: Using room-temperature eggs and butter is non-negotiable for a dough that emulsifies properly and yields the perfect chewy texture.
- Seal the Caramel Well: Ensure the caramel square is completely enclosed in dough to prevent major leakage during baking (a little ooze is delicious and expected!).
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the hot tray. Pull them out when the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underdone for the chewiest result.
- Customize Your Crunch: The choice is yours! Toffee bits offer a buttery crunch, pretzels give a salty twist, and toasted pecans add a warm, nutty depth.
TIPS AND NOTES: YOUR KITCHEN COMPANION
- Details: If your caramel squares are very firm, you can microwave them for 3-5 seconds to soften slightly before stuffing, making them easier to encase in dough.
- Variation: For Chocolate Lovers, add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough along with your crunch element. The combination of chocolate, caramel, and crunch is next-level.
- Notes: If you only have salted butter, simply reduce the fine sea salt in the dough to ¼ teaspoon.
EASY SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH COOKIES FAQS
Can I use caramel bits instead of squares?
Yes, you can use a small mound of caramel bits. They may spread more than a single square, creating a wider caramel layer.
My caramel all leaked out. What happened?
This usually means the caramel wasn’t fully sealed inside the dough ball, or the dough balls were placed too close together on the tray, causing them to merge and burst. Ensure a good seal and leave ample space.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You can! Prepare the dough (without stuffing the caramels), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before scooping, stuffing, and baking. You may need to add 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
FINAL THOUGHTS: LET’S BAKE
There you have it, the secret to impossibly gourmet, satisfying cookies in less time than it takes to watch a sitcom. These Easy Salted Caramel Crunch Cookies prove that incredible desserts don’t require hours of effort. They’re the perfect blend of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy. So, preheat that oven, choose your crunch, and get ready for the easiest, most rewarding 30 minutes of baking. Your future self, enjoying a warm cookie with a perfect cup of coffee, will thank you. Happy baking!