Brown Sugar Cinnamon Caramel Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Brown Sugar Cinnamon Caramel Cookies are a delightful treat combining warm spices and gooey caramel in every bite. Perfect for cozy afternoons or sharing with friends, they offer a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 12–14 soft caramel candies (unwrapped) or ½ cup caramel baking bits
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon white sugar (for sprinkling)
• Optional: A pinch of flaky sea salt (for salted caramel flavor)
• Optional: ½ teaspoon espresso powder (to enhance the brown sugar notes)
• Optional: ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts for texture

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
6. Step 6: Divide the dough into equal portions and flatten each slightly. Place a caramel candy or baking bit in the center of each, then fold the dough around it to cover completely.
7. Step 7: Roll each piece into a ball, then roll in the mixture of 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
8. Step 8: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with white sugar.
9. Step 9: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips & Variations

• Add a pinch of flaky sea salt before baking for a delicious salted caramel flavor.
• Mix in ½ teaspoon espresso powder to enhance the richness of the brown sugar.
• Fold in ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts to add a nice crunchy texture.
• Use caramel baking bits for easier preparation if you prefer not to unwrap candies.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 5 days. They also freeze well for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm in a low oven or microwave briefly to melt the caramel center slightly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid making the cookies too salty.

What if I don’t have caramel candies? Can I substitute something else?

You can use caramel baking bits or small pieces of soft caramel chews. Avoid hard caramels since they won’t melt properly in the cookies.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Caramel Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 126 reviews

Delightfully soft and chewy Brown Sugar Cinnamon Caramel Cookies featuring a rich caramel center, a perfect balance of warm cinnamon and sweet brown sugar, ideal for a cozy dessert or snack.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 12–14 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling and Coating

• 12–14 soft caramel candies (unwrapped) or ½ cup caramel baking bits
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon white sugar (for sprinkling)

Optional Additions

• A pinch of flaky sea salt (for salted caramel flavor)
• ½ teaspoon espresso powder (to enhance the brown sugar notes)
• ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (for texture)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and pure vanilla extract until fully combined, adding moisture and richness to the dough.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and flavors.
5. Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which would make cookies tough.
6. Prepare Cookies with Caramel: Divide the dough into equal portions. Flatten each portion slightly, place a caramel candy or caramel baking bit in the center, then fold the dough around it completely to encase the caramel.
7. Roll and Coat: Roll each dough piece into a ball, then roll in a mixture of 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for added sweetness and a cinnamon-sugar crust.
8. Arrange and Sprinkle: Place the coated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Sprinkle the tops with white sugar for a sparkling finish.
9. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, signaling a perfectly baked cookie with gooey caramel inside.
10. Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt for a salted caramel contrast before serving.

Notes

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and soft.
• Adding a pinch of flaky sea salt before baking can enhance the salted caramel effect.
• Espresso powder is optional but recommended to deepen the brown sugar flavor profile.
• Finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can be mixed in for added texture and flavor.

Keywords: brown sugar, cinnamon, caramel, cookies, dessert, baking