Caramel Cheesecake Cookies

 

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Assembly:

• 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Optional: Chopped nuts or sea salt for garnish

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Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
5. Combine Everything: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs until evenly distributed.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Filling

1. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy (about 1-2 minutes).
2. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined. Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Cookies

1. Scoop Cookie Dough: Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to portion out the cookie dough into equal-sized balls. Flatten each ball slightly to form a disk.
2. Add Cheesecake Filling: Place a small spoonful of the cheesecake filling in the center of each flattened cookie dough disk.
3. Wrap the Filling: Gently wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely to enclose the cheesecake center. Roll the sealed dough into a ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

1. Drizzle with Caramel: Before baking, drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce over the top of each cookie for added sweetness and flavor.
2. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes , or until the cookies are lightly golden brown around the edges. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and chewy.

Step 5: Cool and Garnish

1. Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Optional Garnish: Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with chopped nuts or a pinch of sea salt for extra texture and flavor.

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Tips for Success:

• Customize Your Sweetness: If you prefer less caramel, reduce the amount used for drizzling or skip the optional second layer of caramel after cooling.
• Make Ahead: The cookie dough can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before assembling the cookies.
• Freeze for Later: These cookies freeze beautifully! Wrap individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to serve.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

These Caramel Cheesecake Cookies bring together three irresistible flavors—cinnamon-spiced cookies, creamy cheesecake, and gooey caramel—in one delicious bite. Perfectly chewy on the outside and delightfully soft on the inside, they’re ideal for dessert lovers and special occasions alike. Whether enjoyed warm from the oven or as a sweet treat later, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite!