If you’re a fan of cookies and cheesecake, this recipe will blow your mind! Imagine the softness of cheesecake, the buttery richness of a cookie, and the sweet gooey swirl of caramel all in one heavenly bite. These Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are perfect for afternoon tea, dessert tables, or simply treating yourself after a long day.
They’re easy enough for beginner bakers but fancy enough to impress guests. Best of all? You don’t need any special equipment—just a mixing bowl, whisk, and oven!
✨ Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a breakdown of what makes these cookies so special:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190g) – the base of our cookies, giving structure.
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½ tsp baking soda – helps the cookies rise just enough.
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¼ tsp salt – balances the sweetness.
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113g) – adds richness and buttery flavor.
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½ cup cream cheese, softened (113g) – the secret ingredient that makes these cookies soft, tender, and slightly tangy.
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1 cup granulated sugar (200g) – for sweetness.
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1 large egg – helps bind everything together.
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1 tsp vanilla extract – enhances flavor.
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½ cup caramel sauce – swirled into the dough for that gooey caramel magic.
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½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional) – adds extra decadence.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Setup
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is important because it creates air pockets that give your cookies a soft texture.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat again until fully combined.
Step 5: Combine Dry & Wet
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix—this can make your cookies tough instead of soft.
Step 6: Add Caramel & Mix-Ins
Gently fold in caramel sauce. If you’d like, swirl it lightly instead of mixing fully so you get ribbons of caramel running through each cookie. Add chocolate chips if desired.
Step 7: Scoop & Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers still look soft.
Step 8: Cool & Enjoy
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The cookies will set as they cool.
Tips for Perfect Caramel Cheesecake Cookies
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Soft Butter & Cream Cheese – Make sure both are softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
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Don’t Overbake – The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the middle when you remove them. They’ll firm up as they cool.
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Caramel Choice – Use thick caramel sauce for the best swirls. If it’s too runny, it may spread too much in the oven.
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Chill Dough for Neater Cookies – If your dough feels too sticky, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before baking.
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Extra Gooey Center – Add a small caramel candy in the center of each dough ball for a molten caramel surprise.
Variations
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Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies – Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top after baking.
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Nutty Caramel Cookies – Fold in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for crunch.
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Caramel Swirl Only – Skip the chocolate chips and let the caramel shine.
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Drizzled Finish – Once baked, drizzle with extra caramel or melted chocolate for bakery-style presentation.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies taste amazing with:
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A glass of cold milk
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Hot coffee or cappuccino ☕
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A scoop of vanilla ice cream (hello, cookie ice cream sandwiches!)
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As part of a dessert platter for parties
Storage & Freezing
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At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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In the Fridge: Keeps well for about 1 week.
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Freezing Dough: Scoop dough balls onto a tray, freeze, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
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Freezing Baked Cookies: Once cooled, store in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or warm in the microwave for 10 seconds before serving.
Final Thoughts
These Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are a dream for anyone who loves indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth treats. They combine the best of both worlds: creamy cheesecake texture and gooey caramel flavor. Whether you make them for a family gathering, holiday platter, or a late-night snack, they’ll disappear faster than you expect!
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