Description
Soft, golden cookies swirled with gooey caramel and filled with velvety cream cheese for a bite that tastes like mini cheesecakes. Trust me, you’re going to love this.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
- Fine salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Unsalted butter, softened: 1/2 cup
- Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup
- Light brown sugar, packed: 1/2 cup
- Large eggs: 2
- Pure vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
- Cream cheese, softened: 8 ounces
- Powdered sugar: 1/2 cup
- Thick caramel sauce: 1/2 cup
- Optional flaky sea salt: a pinch for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until combined.
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a mixer on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two additions, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Chill 20 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar in a small bowl until silky and smooth.
- Scoop dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon portions onto prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Gently press a shallow well into each portion.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon cream cheese filling into each well, then drizzle a small swirl of caramel over the top.
- Bake 12 to 14 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers look just set.
- Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Finish with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt if desired and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Chill the dough briefly for thicker, chewier cookies.
- Use a thick, high-quality caramel so the swirl holds its shape.
- Do not overbake; remove when edges are set and centers are slightly soft.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: caramel cheesecake cookies, cheesecake cookies, caramel cookies, cream cheese cookies, bakery-style cookies, holiday cookies