Name: Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 Tablespoons salted butter cubed; 6.5 oz dark chocolate bar (60–70% cocoa), chopped; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 2 large eggs room temperature; 1 large egg yolk room temperature; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled; 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 11 oz soft caramels (1 bag), unwrapped; 2 Tablespoons heavy cream; Flaky sea salt for topping

Imagine biting into a cookie that's fudgy like a brownie, topped with luscious, gooey caramel and finished with just a hint of sea salt—that's exactly what this Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe delivers. It's the perfect sweet-salty treat you didn’t know you needed but will keep coming back for.

The image shows a group of dark brown cookies with a cracked texture, each topped with a smooth, light caramel-colored sauce in the center, sprinkled with coarse white salt flakes. They are arranged on a flat white marbled surface, with some cookies stacked in the middle. One cookie at the front has a bite taken out, revealing a slightly soft inside. There is a small white bowl filled with the caramel sauce to the right, with a spoon inside, and a black bowl with white salt in the background. Small pieces of dark chocolate are scattered around the cookies. The scene looks warm and inviting, with natural light and soft focus on the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the moment I made these Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies, I knew I hit on something special. They combine the rich, dense texture of a brownie with the chewy, caramel-centered magic that makes every bite unforgettable. The salty finish is just the cherry on top.

Brownie-like texture: These cookies aren’t your everyday sugary snack—they have the fudgy depth of a brownie in cookie form.
Salted caramel center: The gooey caramel nestled right inside is both indulgent and surprising.
Glossy cracked tops: Those shiny, crackly tops make them look bakery-worthy and irresistibly inviting.
Quick and simple: You can have these dreamy cookies on your plate in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe relies on classic baking ingredients, but the combination is where the magic lies. Each one brings something important to the table, and choosing quality products makes a noticeable difference.

Flat lay of six cubed pieces of salted butter, a chopped dark chocolate bar, a small white bowl with pure vanilla extract, two whole uncracked brown eggs and one whole uncracked egg yolk, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of packed light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with Dutch-process cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl with fine salt, a pile of soft caramel squares, a small white ceramic bowl holding heavy cream, and a small pile of flaky sea salt flakes, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salted butter: Adds richness and a hint of saltiness that balances the sweet caramel perfectly.
Dark chocolate bar (60–70% cocoa): Gives a deep chocolate flavor and beautiful fudgy texture when melted.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances flavor and rounds out the chocolate notes.
Large eggs and yolk: Provide structure and moisture, plus help create that lovely dense brownie-like crumb.
Granulated and light brown sugar: A combo that ensures both sweetness and chewiness.
All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together without weighing it down.
Dutch-process cocoa powder: Deepens chocolate flavor and darkens the dough color for that classic brownie look.
Baking powder: Delivers just enough lift so cookies aren’t too flat.
Salt: Essential to enhance all the sweet flavors and keep the caramel interest alive.
Soft caramels: Creating that irresistible gooey center—choose quality caramels like Werther’s for best results.
Heavy cream: Smooths out the caramel, making it perfectly pourable yet thick enough to stay put.
Flaky sea salt: The crowning touch giving bursts of salty crunch on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking sweet recipes, and these cookies are no exception. You can easily customize them to suit your mood or what’s in your pantry without losing their magical combo of fudgy chocolate and gooey caramel.

Chocolate swap: I’ve experimented with semi-sweet chocolate chunks instead of bars, and it still works wonderfully for a bit sweeter and chunkier bite.
Dairy-free option: Try using vegan butter and a plant-based cream alternative for the caramel topping; it’s a bit of a game changer for intolerances.
Add nuts: Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts add a gorgeous crunch that contrasts perfectly with the softness.
Spice it up: A dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice in the batter subtly warms the flavor—perfect for chilly evenings.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe

The image shows several round cookies with a rich dark brown color and a cracked texture on top. Each cookie has a smooth, shiny, caramel-colored dollop in the center, sprinkled with small white salt flakes. The cookies are placed closely together on a white marbled surface, with some pieces of dark chocolate scattered nearby. The overall look is rustic and inviting with a mix of rough cookie edges and smooth caramel centers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Getting the chocolate and butter just right

Start by melting your cubed salted butter and chopped dark chocolate together in a microwave-safe bowl. I do 30-second bursts, stirring each time, so nothing scorches. The goal is smooth, glossy chocolate butter—this sets the rich foundation for your cookies. Stir in the vanilla while it’s warm and let it cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs later.

Step 2: Whipping up fluffy eggs and sugar

In a separate large bowl, beat the sugars with the eggs until the mixture is pale and fluffy—this usually takes me around 3 to 4 minutes with an electric mixer. You’re looking for it to fall in thick ribbons when you lift your whisk out. This step is key to getting those light, yet fudgy cookies.

Step 3: Combine and fold your dry ingredients

Pour the cooled chocolate butter mix into the egg mixture on low speed, just until homogeneous and no yellow streaks appear. Then, gently fold in your sifted flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. The texture should be smooth and glossy, nearly like traditional brownie batter with a rich sheen that promises fudginess.

Step 4: Scooping and baking

Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. I usually split the dough across two trays so there’s enough space for the cookies to spread without sticking. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes—mine took just 8 minutes for that perfect cracked, shiny top while still soft inside. Don’t overbake; fresher is better for that chewy texture!

Step 5: Dimpling and caramel filling

Right out of the oven, I nudge the warm cookies into perfect circles using a cookie cutter or glass rim. Then, using the back of a spoon, I press a small shallow well in the center of each cookie so it holds the caramel nicely without spilling over.

Step 6: Melting and adding the caramel

While the cookies cool on the sheet, melt your soft caramels with heavy cream in the microwave in 30-second bursts. Allow the mixture to cool about 5 minutes until it's thick but still pourable, then spoon it into the cookie wells. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that signature salty-sweet personality.

Step 7: Letting the magic set

Give the cookies about 20 minutes to set the caramel filling before moving them to a wire rack. This patience pays off with the ultimate texture contrast and cooking satisfaction.

Top Tip

Having made this Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really up the game and make baking easier and more foolproof.

Don’t skip the cooling step before adding caramel: Adding caramel to hot cookies can make it runny and mess up the texture.
Use good quality dark chocolate: It makes a noticeable difference in flavor and texture—the fudginess improves dramatically.
Shape cookies while warm: This helps you get those perfect round edges instead of lumpy or cracked shapes.
Flaky sea salt is essential: Regular table salt won’t give you that satisfying crunch and burst of salty flavor that balances this cookie perfectly.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe

Salted Caramel Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to top these cookies with a few extra flakes of sea salt and, if I’m feeling fancy, a tiny drizzle of melted dark chocolate for extra decadence. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of cocoa powder or finely chopped toasted nuts around the edges for an impressive finishing touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies go beautifully with a simple glass of cold milk, a cup of robust coffee, or even warm vanilla ice cream if you’re serving a crowd. If you want to keep things cozy, a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh berries on the side is a lovely complement.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden board with scattered caramel bits and small bowls of extra sea salt and chocolate sauce for dipping. I’ve even served them on tiered dessert trays decorated with edible flowers to wow guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies store best in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually keep them separated with parchment paper layers to prevent sticking. They stay fresh for about 3 days without losing that gooey charm.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies before adding the caramel topping. Just scoop the dough onto a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-lock bag. When ready, bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two. For leftover baked cookies, freeze them wrapped well to maintain freshness.

Reheating

Warming up your cookies for 10-15 seconds in the microwave brings back softness and revives the caramel's gooey texture. Just be careful not to overheat, or the caramel can get runny.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate in this Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe?

You can, but the cookies will be sweeter and less rich. Dark chocolate provides a deeper flavor and better complements the salted caramel. If you prefer milk chocolate, consider reducing the sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.

What tips do you have to avoid overly flat cookies?

Make sure to use fresh baking powder and avoid over-mixing the dough once the flour is added. Also, chilling the dough briefly before baking can help maintain shape. Baking the cookies promptly after scooping ensures those lovely crackly tops.

Can I prepare the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and store it tightly covered in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature before scooping and baking. This can even deepen the flavors, making your cookies taste better.

What type of caramel works best for the filling?

Soft caramel candies, like Werther’s or Kraft, are ideal because they melt smoothly and hold their shape well after cooling. Avoid hard caramels or caramel sauces that are too runny.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe isn’t just another cookie—it’s a little experience of chocolate caramel heaven in every bite. I never get tired of making these because they bring such joy to anyone who tries them—and I’m sure you’ll find the same after your first batch. Trust me, once you make and share these, they’ll become your go-to cookie for treats, celebrations, and casual get-togethers alike.