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Warm Brown Sugar Cinnamon Caramel Cookies Recipe

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5 from 761 reviews

Delight yourself with these Warm Brown Sugar Cinnamon Caramel Cookies featuring a perfect balance of rich brown sugar, cozy cinnamon, and gooey caramel filling. These soft, chewy cookies are rolled in a spicy-sweet cinnamon sugar crust and melt in your mouth, making them the ultimate comforting treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Caramel Filling

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

Optional Add-Ins

  • Pinch of flaky sea salt (for salted caramel twist)
  • ½ teaspoon espresso powder (to enhance brown sugar flavor)
  • ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (for crunch)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and 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 for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and resembles pale caramel clouds. Properly softened butter is key here for the right texture.
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the room temperature egg and pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to avoid any unmixed ingredients.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, and espresso powder if using, to evenly distribute flavors and leavening agents.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
  6. Shape Cookies and Add Caramel: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls (about the size of a ping pong ball). Flatten each slightly in your palm, press a soft caramel candy or caramel bits into the center, then carefully fold the dough around the caramel, sealing completely to prevent leaking during baking.
  7. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Roll each cookie ball in this mixture to coat evenly for that signature crispy, spiced crust.
  8. Place Cookies on Sheet and Add Sparkle: Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet at least 2 inches apart. Sprinkle the tops with 1 tablespoon white sugar for a subtle sparkle after baking.
  9. Bake: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden and the centers appear slightly underbaked. This ensures a soft, chewy texture and melts the caramel inside without turning it hard.
  10. Cool on Sheet: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set as the caramel remains molten and lava-hot right out of the oven, preventing burns and crumble when transferring.
  11. Transfer to Rack and Serve: Carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy warm with a glass of milk for an indulgent treat.

Notes

  • Use softened butter that leaves a slight fingerprint to ensure proper creaming and chewy cookies.
  • Spoon and level flour when measuring to avoid dense, dry cookies.
  • Seal the caramel filling fully inside the dough to prevent it from leaking during baking.
  • Chill dough for 20 minutes if you experience caramel leak issues; cold dough holds its shape better.
  • Cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
  • If hardened caramel occurs, microwave cookies for 8-10 seconds to revive gooey texture.
  • Optional add-ins like espresso powder, nuts, or sea salt elevate flavor and texture.
  • Substitute caramel baking bits for unwrapped caramels to save prep time.

Keywords: brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon, cookies

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/warm-brown-sugar-cinnamon-caramel-cookies-recipe-2/