Delicious Copycat Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Create Delicious Copycat Crumbl Cookies

Recreating the magic of Copycat Crumbl Cookies in your own kitchen is a truly rewarding experience, especially when they feature the decadent combination of salted caramel and creamy cheesecake. These sweet treats are known for their soft, chewy texture and impressive size, making them perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. Our recipe simplifies the process, allowing you to achieve bakery-quality results without unnecessary complexity. From the initial mixing to the final sprinkle of sea salt, every step is designed for success. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can bring these rich flavor profiles to life, turning everyday ingredients into an extraordinary dessert.

Gathering Key Cookie Ingredients

Before you begin the exciting journey of making these incredible cookies, taking a moment to gather all your key ingredients is crucial. This proactive step ensures a smooth baking process, preventing any last-minute searches and allowing you to focus on the art of cookie creation. Essential items include softened butter, various sugars, quality cream cheese, a good caramel sauce, and of course, your dry baking staples. Having everything pre-measured and at room temperature (where specified) can significantly impact the final texture and consistency of your cookie dough, contributing to those perfect cookies everyone will love.

Simple Steps for Dough Making

The dough-making process for these salted caramel cheesecake cookies is designed to be straightforward and enjoyable. It begins with creaming together wet ingredients, followed by the careful incorporation of dry components, and culminates in folding in the special fillings that give these cookies their unique character. Paying attention to mixing times and textures at each stage is important for developing the right structure. Even if you’re new to baking, these simple steps will guide you toward creating a delicious dough that promises an amazing final product. For another delightful treat that offers similar ease in preparation, consider trying our Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cookies

Crafting truly perfect cookies, especially those with such a distinct flavor profile as salted caramel cheesecake, hinges on the quality and preparation of your ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the desired texture, richness, and overall taste that makes these copycat Crumbl cookies so irresistible. Understanding how each ingredient contributes to the final masterpiece will not only improve your baking but also deepen your appreciation for the delicious chemistry happening in your kitchen. From the foundational fats to the indulgent fillings, every item matters.

Softened Butter and Sugars

The foundation of many great cookies, including these, lies in properly softened butter and a balanced blend of sugars. Softened butter is key for creaming, allowing it to incorporate air effectively with the sugars, which creates a lighter, more tender cookie. Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps with spread, while brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle molasses flavor that complements the caramel. Ensure your butter is at room temperature – soft enough to indent with a finger but not melted – for optimal results. This simple detail makes a big difference in the texture of your finished product. Achieving that signature soft interior requires this initial step to be executed flawlessly.

Cream Cheese and Caramel Sauce

What truly elevates these cookies to “cheesecake” status is the inclusion of cream cheese, which provides a unique tang and incredible moistness to the dough. Using full-fat, room-temperature cream cheese is recommended for the best flavor and texture. It integrates smoothly into the dough, contributing to a rich flavor profile. The salted caramel sauce is the star, bringing a sweet, buttery, and slightly salty complexity. You can use a high-quality store-bought caramel or even make your own for an extra homemade touch. If you’re looking for other dessert ideas that feature luxurious cream cheese, explore our wide range of desserts, including our Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee Cheesecake Cupcakes. For more information on the history and uses of cream cheese, visit its Wikipedia page.

Prepare Delicious Cookie Dough Easily

Creating the perfect cookie dough is a satisfying part of the baking process, and with these salted caramel cheesecake cookies, it’s remarkably easy. The goal is to achieve a uniform, well-mixed dough that will bake up into soft, chewy, and flavorful treats. Each stage, from combining the wet ingredients to folding in the delicious fillings, contributes to the overall success of your homemade creation. Don’t rush these steps; gentle and thorough mixing is key to developing the ideal cookie texture and ensuring that every bite delivers that delightful balance of flavors and chewiness. Follow these guidelines for a dough that’s a pleasure to work with.

Mixing Wet Ingredients Smoothly

The first step in preparing your delicious cookie dough involves smoothly combining the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process typically takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Then, beat in the room-temperature cream cheese until it’s fully incorporated and smooth, with no lumps remaining. Finally, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and stir in the vanilla extract. The goal is a uniform, creamy base that will serve as the perfect foundation for your cookies.

Combining Dry Ingredients Well

Once your wet ingredients are perfectly smooth, it’s time to incorporate the dry components. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for uniform rising and seasoning in your cookies. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough, rather than tender, cookies. A few streaks of flour are acceptable.

Folding in Delicious Fillings

The magic truly happens when you fold in the delicious fillings that make these copycat Crumbl cookies so special. Gently fold in the cheesecake bits or chunks of cream cheese, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Then, drizzle in your salted caramel sauce and use a spatula to swirl it through the dough, creating beautiful ribbons of caramel without completely blending it in. This ensures pockets of rich caramel in every bite. This careful folding technique preserves the integrity of the cheesecake and caramel swirls, guaranteeing a burst of flavor and texture with each delicious cookie. For another irresistible dessert that plays with delightful fillings, try our Quick Italian Cream Cake.

Baking Your Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies

Baking these salted caramel cheesecake cookies to perfection is the final, exciting step in bringing your homemade sweet treats to life. Achieving that ideal balance of a slightly crisp edge and a wonderfully soft, chewy center requires attention to detail, particularly regarding oven temperature and baking time. These cookies are substantial, so they need specific conditions to cook through evenly while developing their rich flavor and texture. Mastering the baking process ensures that your efforts in preparing the dough culminate in a truly delicious and satisfying cookie experience, just like the bakery originals.

Oven Temperature and Dough Drops

Preheating your oven to the correct temperature is paramount for consistent baking. For these copycat Crumbl cookies, 350°F (175°C) is typically ideal. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Use a large cookie scoop (about 1/4 cup) to portion out generous “dough drops” onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving ample space between them as these cookies will spread. Placing too many dough drops on one sheet can lead to uneven baking and cookies that merge together. Proper spacing allows for air circulation, contributing to perfect cookies.

Watching for Golden Edges

Baking time will vary depending on your oven, but generally, these cookies take about 12-16 minutes. The key indicator for doneness is watching for golden edges. The centers of the cookies may still look slightly soft or underbaked, but this is exactly what you want for a perfectly chewy interior. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies, so trust the visual cue of those beautiful golden edges. Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are lightly browned, allowing the residual heat to continue cooking the centers as they cool on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes.

Ensuring Golden Edges on Cookies

The quest for golden edges on your salted caramel cheesecake cookies is more than just an aesthetic preference; it’s a critical indicator of ideal doneness and a major contributor to their delightful texture. Those perfectly golden-brown edges signal that the sugars have caramelized just enough, providing a subtle crispness that contrasts beautifully with the soft, rich interior. To achieve this, resist the urge to pull the cookies out too early if the centers still look slightly pale. A truly golden edge ensures that the cookies have developed their full flavor potential and will hold their shape well after cooling, offering a satisfying chew with every bite.

Sprinkling Sea Salt on Warm Cookies

The final touch that truly defines these salted caramel cheesecake cookies is the sprinkling of flaky sea salt. This isn’t just for garnish; it’s an essential flavor component that beautifully balances the sweetness of the caramel and cheesecake. The best time to apply the sea salt is immediately after the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still warm and slightly tacky. This allows the salt crystals to adhere perfectly to the surface. The warmth also helps the salt dissolve just enough to meld with the caramel, creating that exquisite sweet-and-salty contrast that makes these cookies utterly addictive. Don’t skip this simple yet impactful step!

Cooling and Storing Your Fresh Cookies

Once your delicious salted caramel cheesecake cookies have emerged from the oven, the journey isn’t quite over. Proper cooling and storage are just as vital as the baking process itself to ensure your fresh cookies maintain their incredible texture and rich flavor. Rushing the cooling phase or storing them improperly can lead to soggy bottoms, stale textures, or a loss of that delightful chewiness you worked so hard to achieve. Follow these simple steps to ensure every cookie remains a perfect indulgence, ready to be enjoyed at its best for days to come, much like preserving the freshness of our Blueberry Muffin Cookies with Streusel.

Letting Cookies Cool Properly

After removing your copycat Crumbl cookies from the oven, let them rest on the hot baking sheets for about 5-10 minutes. This allows them to set up slightly and finish baking internally with residual heat, preventing them from falling apart when transferred. Then, carefully transfer the warm cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures air circulation all around the cookies, preventing condensation from forming on the bottoms and making them soggy. Resist the temptation to stack them before they are fully cool, as this can trap heat and moisture, affecting their texture.

Storing Cookies for Freshness

To keep your homemade salted caramel cheesecake cookies fresh for as long as possible, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or if you prefer them chilled, they can also be stored in the refrigerator. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 2-3 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy, and they’ll taste almost as good as fresh-baked.

Quick Preparation and Baking Times

One of the many appeals of making these Copycat Crumbl Cookies at home is their relatively quick turnaround time, allowing you to enjoy delicious, fresh-baked treats without a lengthy wait. While there are a few distinct stages to the process—gathering ingredients, mixing dough, and baking—each step is streamlined for efficiency. Understanding the total time commitment from start to finish helps you plan your baking session effectively, ensuring you can whip up these impressive salted caramel cheesecake cookies even on a busy schedule. Get ready to enjoy homemade goodness in a reasonable timeframe.

Total Time from Start to Finish

From the moment you start gathering your key ingredients to the time your first batch of warm, salted caramel cheesecake cookies emerges from the oven, the total active preparation and baking time typically ranges from 30 to 45 minutes. This includes about 15-20 minutes for mixing the dough and preparing the cookie drops, followed by 12-16 minutes of baking per batch. Factor in a short cooling period, and you can be enjoying your delicious creations in under an hour. This quick preparation time makes them an ideal dessert recipe for last-minute cravings or spontaneous gatherings, ensuring fresh cookies are always within reach.

Servings of Delicious Crumbl Cookies

When you put in the effort to create these incredible Copycat Crumbl Cookies, it’s natural to wonder how many of these delightful treats you’ll get from one batch. The recipe is designed to yield a generous quantity, ensuring there’s enough to share with family and friends, or to keep a stash for yourself! These are not your average small cookies; they are substantial, bakery-sized delights, which makes the yield even more impressive. Prepare to be delighted by the abundance of delicious homemade goodness you’ll produce.

How Many Cookies You Get

This recipe typically yields about 12-15 large, bakery-style salted caramel cheesecake cookies. The exact number can vary slightly depending on the size of your cookie scoop and how generously you portion the dough drops. Each cookie is quite substantial, making one serving often enough to satisfy a sweet craving. If you’re planning for a party or a larger gathering, you might consider doubling the recipe to ensure everyone gets to enjoy these irresistible sweet treats. The generous yield means you’ll have plenty of fresh cookies to go around.

Understanding Cookie Nutrition Information

For those mindful of their dietary intake, understanding the general nutrition information for these salted caramel cheesecake cookies can be helpful. While these are certainly an indulgent sweet treat, having a rough idea of their caloric content, sugar levels, and macronutrients per serving allows for informed enjoyment. Keep in mind that homemade recipes can vary, and precise figures would require specific ingredient brands and measurements. The following provides a general overview, so you can savor your homemade Copycat Crumbl Cookies thoughtfully.

Calories and Sugar Content

Due to their rich flavor and generous size, these salted caramel cheesecake cookies are an indulgent dessert. On average, one large cookie might contain approximately 350-450 calories, with a significant portion attributed to the sugar content from both the cookie dough and the caramel sauce. Expect sugar levels to be in the range of 30-50 grams per cookie. These figures are estimates and depend on the exact quantities and types of ingredients used. Enjoying them in moderation is key to incorporating them into a balanced diet, appreciating the rich flavor they offer.

Fats and Protein per Serving

In terms of fats, each cookie will likely contain around 18-25 grams, primarily from the butter, cream cheese, and egg yolks. A portion of this will be saturated fat. While the primary focus of these cookies is not protein, they do offer a modest amount, typically 4-6 grams per serving, coming from the flour, eggs, and cream cheese. This general breakdown provides a better understanding of the cookie’s composition, allowing you to make informed choices while still enjoying the deliciousness of your homemade sweet treat.

Helpful Notes for Copycat Crumbl Success

Achieving truly spectacular Copycat Crumbl Cookies, particularly those with the irresistible salted caramel cheesecake flavor, often comes down to a few key tips and tricks. These helpful notes are designed to elevate your baking experience, ensuring that every batch of homemade cookies is a resounding success. From optimizing the cooling process to considering ingredient substitutions, these insights will help you avoid common pitfalls and produce perfect cookies that rival the originals. Pay attention to these small details for a truly rewarding baking outcome.

Cooling Rack Importance

The importance of a cooling rack cannot be overstated when it comes to baking perfect cookies. Once your salted caramel cheesecake cookies have rested for a few minutes on the hot baking sheet, transferring them to a wire cooling rack is crucial. This allows air to circulate underneath the cookies, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy due to trapped steam. It also ensures they cool evenly and finish setting, leading to a firm yet tender texture. Without proper cooling, even the best-baked cookies can lose their desired crispness or become unevenly textured, so always make space for this step.

Caramel Sauce Substitutions

While a high-quality salted caramel sauce is central to this recipe’s rich flavor, you do have some flexibility for substitutions if needed. If salted caramel isn’t your preference, a plain caramel sauce will work perfectly, though you might still add a pinch of sea salt to the finished cookies for flavor contrast. Alternatively, for a different twist, you could experiment with other thick sauces like a high-quality dulce de leche or even a robust chocolate fudge sauce for a chocolate cheesecake cookie variation. Ensure any substitute is thick enough to swirl into the dough without completely disappearing. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination! For more baking inspiration and ideas, follow us on Pinterest and Instagram.

Enjoy Homemade Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for: savoring your homemade salted caramel cheesecake cookies. These Copycat Crumbl Cookies represent not just a delicious dessert, but the joy of baking and the satisfaction of creating something truly special in your own kitchen. Their rich flavor, soft texture, and generous size make them a perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy evening at home or a shared moment with loved ones. Take a moment to appreciate the effort and love poured into each cookie, and let the irresistible combination of sweet caramel and creamy cheesecake delight your senses. Enjoy every single delicious bite!