Okay, let’s be real – is there anything better than a warm, chewy cookie? I think not! And this Caramel Cookies Recipe? Seriously, it’s my go-to when I need a little bit of happiness in my life. Or, you know, when I need to impress someone. These cookies are seriously *that* good. They’re the perfect sweet treat for, well, just about anything!

I remember baking these with my niece, Lily, last Christmas. We were supposed to be making gingerbread men, but she spotted the bag of caramel bits, and that was that! Flour *everywhere*, giggling fits, and the most amazing smell filling the house. Honestly, those are the memories that make baking so special, right? And trust me, this Caramel Cookies Recipe is one you’ll want to bake again and again. It’s just that easy and delicious! I’ve tweaked and perfected this recipe over the years, and this is my tried and true version for the best *caramel cookies recipe* out there!

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Caramel Cookies Recipe Benefits

Quick and Easy to Make

Seriously, you can whip these up in under 30 minutes! Perfect for when you need a sweet treat, like, *now*.
Chewy and Delicious Texture

That perfect balance of soft and chewy? Yeah, these cookies nail it. Every bite is a caramel-y dream!
Perfect for Any Occasion

Need a snack? Dessert? A gift for your neighbor? These caramel cookies are always a winner. Trust me!
Uses Simple Ingredients

No fancy stuff here! You probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry. Score!

Caramel Cookies Recipe - detail 1

What You Need to Make This Caramel Cookies Recipe

Caramel Cookies Recipe Ingredients

Butter

You’ll want 1 cup (that’s 2 sticks!) of unsalted butter, and make sure it’s softened. Trust me, it makes a difference!
Sugar

Grab 1 cup of granulated sugar. The regular kind is perfect!
Brown Sugar

You’ll need 1 cup of packed brown sugar. I like to use dark brown for a richer flavor, but light brown works too!
Eggs

Two large eggs are what you need. Make sure they’re at room temperature for best results.
Vanilla Extract

A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds that little something special. Don’t skip it!
Flour

You’ll need 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour. Spoon and level it for the most accurate measurement!
Baking Soda

Don’t forget 1 teaspoon of baking soda! It helps give the cookies that perfect texture.
Salt

Just a teaspoon of salt balances out the sweetness. A must-have!
Caramel Bits

And finally, 1 cup of caramel bits! These are the star of the show, after all!

How to Make the Best Caramel Cookies Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Dough for Your Caramel Cookies Recipe

Preheat the Oven

First things first: crank that oven up to 375°F (190°C). Getting it nice and hot is key for perfectly baked caramel cookies! Don’t skip this step, okay?
Cream Butter and Sugars

In a big bowl (or your stand mixer, if you’re fancy!), cream together that softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. You want it light and fluffy – this usually takes a few minutes. It should look like a sweet, sugary cloud!
Add Eggs and Vanilla

Now, beat in those eggs, one at a time. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Vanilla makes *everything* better, right?
Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This makes sure everything’s evenly distributed, so you don’t get a weird salty bite in one cookie. Nobody wants that!
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until *just* combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing leads to tough cookies, and we want chewy, not tough. A few streaks of flour are okay!
Stir in Caramel Bits

Finally, stir in those glorious caramel bits! Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is the best part, if you ask me!

Baking Your Delicious Caramel Cookies Recipe

Drop Dough onto Baking Sheets

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. I use a cookie scoop for perfectly uniform cookies, but spoons work just fine too!
Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them! Every oven is different, and you don’t want burnt cookies. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking. And then… enjoy! (But maybe let them cool a little first, unless you like burnt tongues!).

Tips for the Perfect Caramel Cookies Recipe

Achieving Caramel Cookies Recipe Success

Don’t Overmix the Dough

Seriously, resist the urge! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, and that means tough cookies. Mix until just combined, and you’ll be golden!
Slightly Underbake for Chewier Cookies

This is my *favorite* trick! Pull the cookies out a minute or two before you think they’re done. They’ll continue to bake on the hot pan and end up perfectly chewy. Yum!
Use Quality Caramel Bits

Trust me on this one, the better the caramel bits, the better the cookies! Cheaper ones can taste kind of artificial, and we want that real caramel flavor to shine!
Measure Flour Accurately

Too much flour can make your cookies dry and crumbly. Spoon and level your flour, or even better, use a kitchen scale! It makes a HUGE difference!

Caramel Cookies Recipe Variations

Spice Up Your Caramel Cookies Recipe

Add Chocolate Chips

Okay, who doesn’t love chocolate and caramel together? Throw in a cup of your favorite chocolate chips – milk, dark, semi-sweet… go wild! Trust me, it’s a game-changer!
Sprinkle with Sea Salt

Want to take these caramel cookies to the next level? A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top *right* after they come out of the oven is pure magic. The saltiness enhances the sweetness in the best way!
Use Different Extracts

Vanilla is great, but why not experiment? Try almond extract for a nutty flavor, or maple extract to really amp up the caramel notes. Just use the same amount as the vanilla!
Add Nuts

Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. About half a cup should do the trick. Just stir them in with the caramel bits!

Storing Your Homemade Caramel Cookies Recipe

Keeping Your Caramel Cookies Recipe Fresh

Store in an Airtight Container

Yup, that’s the secret! Just pop your cooled caramel cookies into an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days. If they even last that long, haha!
Freeze for Longer Storage

Want to keep these bad boys around for longer? No problem! Wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap, then toss them into a freezer bag. They’ll be good for up to 2 months! Just thaw them before enjoying. Easy peasy!

Caramel Cookies Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About This Caramel Cookies Recipe

Can I use salted butter?

Okay, so you *can* use salted butter, but you’ll want to reduce the amount of salt you add separately. Otherwise, your caramel cookies might end up a little *too* salty! I always prefer unsalted so I can control the salt level myself.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! This caramel cookies recipe dough can totally hang out in the fridge. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and it’ll be good for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften up a bit before scooping.
Why are my cookies flat?

Ah, the dreaded flat cookie! This usually happens if your butter was too warm (it should be soft, not melted!) or if you overmixed the dough. Also, make sure your baking soda isn’t expired! That can affect the rise.
Can I use a different type of sugar?

You can experiment! Using all brown sugar will make for a chewier, more molasses-y caramel cookie. Using all white sugar will make them a bit crisper. I like the combo for the best of both worlds, but feel free to play around!
What if I don’t have caramel bits?

No caramel bits?! Don’t panic! You can chop up regular caramels instead. Just make sure they’re fairly small pieces, so they distribute evenly and melt nicely in the oven. You could even use those caramel-filled chocolates, roughly chopped. Yum!

Nutritional Information for Caramel Cookies Recipe

Caramel Cookies Recipe Nutrition Disclaimer

Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m not a nutritionist! Just keep in mind that the nutritional info for this Caramel Cookies Recipe can vary depending on the brands you use. So, yeah, this isn’t an exact science!

Enjoy Your Delicious Caramel Cookies Recipe!

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Made these caramel cookies? I’d love to hear about it! Tell me what you think, or if you made any fun variations!
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