Description
Irresistible peanut butter cookies with salted caramel drizzle melt hearts with their perfect balance of sweet and salty comfort. Crisp edges, gooey centers, and luxurious caramel make these cookies a must-have treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Caramel and Topping:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup additional sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Cream butter, peanut butter, and both sugars in a large mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract.
- Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Use a fork to create classic crisscross patterns on each cookie, gently pressing down.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown, rotating sheets halfway through.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
- For caramel, combine sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heating without stirring until mixture turns amber.
- Carefully whisk in cream, butter, and sea salt, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Once cookies are completely cooled, drizzle warm caramel over the top.
- Sprinkle additional sea salt over caramel for enhanced flavor contrast.
- Allow caramel to set for 10-15 minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
- Opt for natural, unsweetened peanut butter to control sweetness and avoid extra additives.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, consistent mixing and better texture.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg