Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Caramel Cheesecake Cookies combine the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the sweet, buttery goodness of caramel in one delightful bite. These soft, indulgent cookies are perfect for anyone looking to satisfy a sweet tooth with a little extra flair.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 0.25 cup powdered sugar
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.25 tsp sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Scoop small dollops onto a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until combined.
- Step 4: Scoop small cookie dough balls and flatten them slightly. Place a frozen cheesecake dollop in the center, then cover with another piece of dough and seal the edges firmly.
- Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12–14 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 6: Let the cookies cool slightly. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt if desired before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra touch, chill the assembled cookies in the fridge before baking to help maintain their shape.
- You can swap brown sugar for coconut sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Use homemade caramel sauce for a fresher taste or add chopped nuts for crunch.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. To reheat, warm cookies gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds to soften the caramel and cheesecake filling.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the cheesecake filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cheesecake filling in advance and freeze the dollops so they’re ready to assemble. This helps speed up the baking process and ensures the filling stays firm inside the cookies.
What if I don’t have sea salt for the garnish?
If sea salt isn’t available, you can omit it or use a very light sprinkle of regular table salt. The salt enhances the caramel’s sweetness but is not essential.
Print
Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Caramel Cheesecake Cookies combine the creamy richness of cheesecake with the sweet, buttery goodness of classic cookies. Each cookie is filled with a smooth cream cheese dollop, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 0.25 cup powdered sugar
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 0.5 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.25 tsp sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Scoop small dollops onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Assemble the Cookies: Scoop out small balls of the cookie dough and flatten them slightly in your hand. Place a frozen cheesecake dollop in the center of the flattened dough, cover it with another piece of dough, and carefully seal the edges to enclose the filling completely.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the prepared cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies turn golden brown around the edges.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet. Once cooled, drizzle the tops with caramel sauce and sprinkle with optional sea salt for a delightful sweet and salty finish. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Freezing the cheesecake dollops helps prevent the filling from spreading during baking and makes assembly easier.
- Sealing the edges of the cookie dough well is crucial to prevent the cheesecake filling from leaking out while baking.
- You can use store-bought caramel sauce or make your own for a more personalized flavor.
- Sprinkling sea salt enhances the flavor contrast, but it’s optional based on your preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel cheesecake cookies, cookies with cream cheese filling, caramel dessert cookies, sweet and salty cookies, baked cheesecake cookies

