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

There’s just something magical about biting into a treat that is both fudgy and chewy, sprinkled with just the right touch of sea salt and wrapped in gooey caramel. This Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe brings those irresistible flavors together into one perfect bite, making it a must-try for anyone who appreciates a truly decadent dessert.

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

When I first made these salted caramel brownie cookies, I was amazed at how the textures played so beautifully together: the crackly, glossy tops, the decadent brownie-like chewiness, and of course, that melty caramel center with a sprinkle of sea salt. It’s a dessert that feels both gourmet and totally comforting — like a warm hug in cookie form.

Fudgy, chewy texture: This recipe nails that brownie-cookie hybrid texture that’s rich but not too dense.
Flaky sea salt finish: The salt balances the sweetness and enhances flavor in a way that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Easy to make: Despite looking fancy, the steps are straightforward and perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
Customizable caramel centers: You can switch up caramel types or even add mix-ins to make these cookies your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this salted caramel brownie cookies recipe lies in the quality and balance of ingredients — rich dark chocolate, melty butter, and soft caramels create the foundation, while the cocoa powder and flour give the batter that perfect brownie cookie texture. A quick tip: choose a good-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for that deep chocolate flavor that really shines.

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 subtle saltiness that complements the caramel perfectly.
Dark chocolate bar: Melting this with butter makes the base fudgy and intense; avoid chocolate chips here for better melt.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors – never skip it!
Eggs and egg yolk: Provide structure while keeping the cookie tender and chewy.
Granulated and light brown sugar: A mix for balanced sweetness and moisture.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to hold the cookies together without making them cakey.
Dutch-process cocoa powder: Deepens chocolate flavor and adds color.
Baking powder and salt: Balance leavening and enhance flavor contrast.
Soft caramels: The star filling – they melt into a luscious, sticky center.
Heavy cream: Smooths out the caramel to a perfect consistency for spooning.
Flaky sea salt: A finishing touch that amplifies all the sweet and savory contrasts.

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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

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how it invites customization — whether you want to swap out sea salt for a spicy chili salt for a subtle kick or add chopped nuts for crunch. I often experiment with adding a handful of chocolate chips or even a sprinkle of espresso powder to deepen that chocolate flavor. You’re welcome to play around and make these cookies uniquely yours!

Variation: Once, I stirred in a handful of toasted pecans, and it gave the cookies a lovely, buttery crunch that paired beautifully with the caramel.
Dietary tweaks: Try using dairy-free butter and caramels if you want to make these vegan-friendly (though I haven’t personally tested this yet).
Seasonal flavors: For holidays, adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter brightens up the chocolate-caramel combo.

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: Melt the Magic

I start by melting salted butter and chopped dark chocolate together in the microwave — 30 seconds at a time to avoid burning — stirring each interval until silky smooth. It cools down just enough for adding to the eggs without cooking them. This step is crucial because your cookie batter’s texture hinges on a perfectly melted and tempered chocolate base.

Step 2: Whisk Eggs & Sugars to Fluffiness

Using a mixer, I beat the eggs, egg yolk, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until they’re pale and fluffy — this usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. You’ll know you’re at the right stage when the whisk leaves thick, ribbon-like trails. This step is the secret to light yet chewy cookies.

Step 3: Combine and Fold Dry Ingredients

With my mixer running on low, I slowly add the chocolate mixture until it’s fully combined and no yellow streaks remain. Then, I gently fold in the sifted cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt, careful not to overmix — just enough to get a glossy, brownie batter-like consistency.

Step 4: Portion and Bake for Crackly Tops

I use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop even mounds of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them comfortably. Baking at 350°F for around 8 minutes forms those signature crackly, shiny tops while keeping the centers soft and fudge-like. Trust me, timing is everything here — take them out just when you see that crackle and shine.

Step 5: Shape & Add Caramel Centers

Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, I gently nudge them into nice circles using the rim of a glass or cookie cutter — this makes for a prettier presentation. Using the back of a small spoon, I press a shallow indent into each warm cookie to hold the caramel. Meanwhile, I finish by melting the caramels with cream, cooling slightly until pourable but thick. Then it’s spooned right into those little wells and sprinkled with flaky sea salt for the perfect finish.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few key tricks that made all the difference when making salted caramel brownie cookies. These tips help you get that perfect texture and presentation every single time — and avoid the pitfalls I hit on my first attempts!

Don’t overbake: The cookies should look soft and shiny with cracks on top, not dry; they’ll set more as they cool.
Temper your melted chocolate: Let it cool before mixing with eggs to avoid scrambling.
Press caramel indent while warm: This makes it easier to shape and hold the caramel perfectly.
Use soft caramels & cream: Blend slowly and cool caramel filling for the best texture—too hot and it will run off the cookie.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe

Salted Caramel Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing these cookies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after spooning on the caramel — it’s simple but transformative. For extra flair, I sometimes add a tiny drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a few crunchy chopped nuts for texture contrast.

Side Dishes

These cookies are the star on their own, but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes them feel like a luxurious dessert. For coffee lovers, a creamy latte or espresso is the perfect partner to balance sweetness with a little bitterness.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served these cookies on a rustic wooden board with a bowl of salted caramel sauce for dunking on special occasions, and at holiday gatherings, I arrange them with edible gold flakes on top for an Instagram-worthy touch. They also make lovely gifts when packaged in clear boxes tied with twine — always a crowd-pleaser.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The caramel softens nicely over time but still holds its shape. If it gets too sticky, a brief chill in the fridge brings it back to perfect scoopable consistency.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies successfully—once fully cooled and set, I arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. They keep beautifully for up to 2 months; just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To revive the soft, gooey texture, I warm the cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or pop them in a low oven for a few minutes. This melts the caramel slightly and reactivates that irresistible fudgy center.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Milk chocolate will make the cookies sweeter and less intense in chocolate flavor. I recommend sticking with dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa) for the best fudgy texture and balanced taste.

What’s the best way to melt the caramels without them seizing?

Heat the caramels with heavy cream in short intervals, stirring often. Using the cream thins out the caramel and prevents it from getting grainy or too thick too fast.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can make the cookies a day ahead and add the caramel topping right before serving for the freshest texture and flavor.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for crackly, shiny tops with soft centers. They should not be dry or hard. The edges will look set but the middle should still look just slightly underbaked, as they firm up while cooling.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my baking repertoire because it blends textures and flavors that feel truly indulgent yet approachable. I love sharing these with friends and seeing their faces light up when they get that perfect gooey caramel hit. Trust me, once you make these cookies, they’ll quickly become a staple in your dessert lineup — an easy way to impress with family, at parties, or simply whenever you want to treat yourself. Give it a whirl; you won’t regret it!