Caramel Cheesecake Cookies

Soft, creamy, and perfectly sweet, these Caramel Cheesecake Cookies combine buttery cookie dough with rich cheesecake swirls and luscious caramel drizzle. A decadent treat for any occasion!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Creamy & Buttery – Cheesecake swirls blend beautifully with cookie dough.
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Sweet & Caramel-Forward – The caramel drizzle adds indulgent richness.
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Quick & Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes, no complicated steps.
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Perfect for Sharing – Makes 24 cookies ideal for parties or gifting.
Ingredients
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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¼ tsp salt
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½ cup caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
Yield: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prepare Sheets
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Egg & Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Step 6: Fold in Caramel
Gently fold in ½ cup caramel sauce until swirled throughout the dough.
Step 7: Scoop Dough
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Bake Cookies
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
Step 9: Drizzle Caramel
Remove cookies from oven and immediately drizzle extra caramel sauce over the warm cookies.
Step 10: Cool & Serve
Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Tips & Variations
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Make Ahead: Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Extra Cheesecake Flavor: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cheesecake portion.
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Chocolate Lovers: Drizzle melted chocolate along with caramel for an extra indulgence.
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Nutty Twist: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, scoop dough onto a tray, freeze, then transfer to a bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.
2. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Absolutely! Just use a high-quality caramel for the best flavor.
3. How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes before baking.
4. Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
Yes, adjust baking time accordingly — smaller cookies need less time, larger cookies slightly more.
Final Thoughts
These Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are rich, creamy, and indulgently sweet, with the perfect balance of soft cookie, cheesecake swirl, and caramel drizzle. Ideal for gatherings, gifting, or simply treating yourself — every bite is pure bliss!