Description
Indulgent soft-baked cookies filled with a creamy cheesecake center and topped with rich caramel. These sweet and salty treats balance buttery vanilla dough with a hidden creamy filling and a flaky sea salt finish.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (for filling)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (for dough)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for dough)
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (for dough)
- 1/2 cup thick caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Line a small plate with parchment paper.
- Mix softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste in a small bowl until smooth.
- Scoop 12 teaspoon-sized dollops of the cream cheese mixture onto the prepared plate.
- Place the plate in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to firm up the filling.
- Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and fine sea salt together in a medium bowl.
- Cream the softened butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and light brown sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste until fully combined.
- Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients on low speed until just combined.
- Scoop the dough into 12 equal portions and flatten each portion into a thick disc in your palm.
- Place one frozen cheesecake dollop in the center of each dough disc.
- Fold the dough edges up to completely seal the filling inside.
- Arrange the stuffed dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake the cookies for 11 to 13 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the tops are set.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Drizzle each cookie with thick caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.
Notes
- Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw eggs.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American