Delish Brown Butter Salted Caramel Cookies

If you like cookies that taste like they just took a cozy nap in a puddle of brown butter and then dunked themselves in salted caramel, congratulations: you and I have similar priorities. These Delish Brown Butter Salted Caramel Cookies are chewy in the middle, slightly crisp at the edges, and aggressively snackable. They’re the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like success, even when your life still smells like the sports bag you forgot to wash.
Once, I brought a batch of these to a family picnic and my husband announced he was “super on dish duty”—which, translated, meant he heroically carried the empty cookie tin to the car and then left it there. The kids immediately blamed each other, which is their go-to defense. I blamed the pan that was too small (yes, it was), and then dramatically refused to wash fewer dishes just to be in character. We ate crumbs for dessert and happiness for the rest of the afternoon.
Why You’ll Love This Delish Brown Butter Salted Caramel Cookies
– They smell like culinary competence even if you only follow half the steps.
– Brown butter gives a nutty, grown-up depth that makes store-bought caramel feel like an apology.
– Salted caramel on top = emotional support in bite form.
– Perfect for pretending you only baked “a few” when you actually made three trays.
Time-Saving Hacks
– Use store-bought caramel sauce that’s actually decent. I won’t judge you; my oven timer won’t either.
– Chill the dough in a shallow metal pan instead of multiple bowls—fewer dishes, same smug satisfaction.
– Bake two sheets at once on the top and middle racks; rotate them halfway. Yes, the kitchen will get warm. You’ll survive.
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Serving Ideas
– Pair with strong coffee because cookies + caffeine = peak productivity (or at least coherent conversation).
– Serve with vanilla ice cream for dramatic melty goodness. Tell guests you meant to do that.
– Offer with a glass of dessert wine if the kids drove you nuts—vino is a reasonable coping mechanism.
– Keep it simple: put a stack on the counter and call it a centerpiece.
What to Serve It With
Cookies like these don’t need much: coffee, milk, or a scoop of ice cream are all acceptable accomplices. If you’re feeling extra, a small bowl of flaky sea salt for people who need a little crunchy drama on top.
Tips & Mistakes
– Don’t skip browning the butter. It’s the whole personality of these cookies. Watch it like a hawk; it goes from dreamy to smoky in 30 seconds if you blink.
– If your caramel is too runny, chill it briefly so it doesn’t pool everywhere. Too stiff? Microwave in 5–10 second bursts. Science-ish.
– Overbake by a minute and you’ll lose chew; underbake and you’ll create a cookie-shaped dough situation. Aim for edges set, centers soft.
– Yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes. Commitment issues are part of the charm.
Storage Tips
Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. If you’re planning ahead, freeze baked cookies between layers of parchment in an airtight container—microwave for 8–10 seconds to resurrect.
Variations and Substitutions
Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts. Other ideas: fold in chopped toasted pecans, sprinkle extra flaky sea salt on top, or drizzle melted dark chocolate for an identity upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Brown Butter Salted Caramel Cookies
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter unsalted, browned
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup salted caramel bits
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until browned. Let it cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and browned butter until combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the salted caramel bits.
- Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.
Notes
Featured Comments
“Impressed! Clear steps and turned out amazing results. Perfect for busy nights.”
“Super easy and will make again! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
“Super easy and so flavorful! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
“New favorite here — absolutely loved. crowd-pleaser was spot on.”
“Made this last night and it was turned out amazing. Loved how the creamy came together.”
“This creamy recipe was family favorite — the rich really stands out. Thanks!”
“This crowd-pleaser recipe was will make again — the creamy really stands out. Thanks!”
“This crowd-pleaser recipe was family favorite — the sweet treat really stands out. Thanks!”
“Made this last night and it was family favorite. Loved how the creamy came together.”
“This creamy recipe was so flavorful — the sweet treat really stands out. Thanks!”