If you love cheesecake and you love cookies, then you’re about to fall head over heels for these Caramel Cheesecake Cookies. With their soft, tender texture and rich cream cheese flavor, these cookies are the perfect combination of two classic desserts—finished with a decadent caramel drizzle that makes them truly irresistible. These cookies are ideal for everything from holiday baking to casual coffee breaks. They hold their shape beautifully, have just the right amount of sweetness, and that caramel topping? It takes things to a whole new level. Whether you’re baking for guests or just treating yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. I first made these cookies for a fall bake sale and they disappeared faster than any others on the table. Since then, they’ve become a regular part of my dessert rotation—not just for how easy they are, but for how indulgent they feel without requiring too much effort. The dough comes together in just a few simple steps, and you probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. Let’s get started with what you’ll need and how to mix up your dough.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

For the Caramel Drizzle:

• ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tbsp heavy cream (optional, to thin the sauce)

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: PREHEAT YOUR OVEN

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.

STEP 2: MIX THE DRY INGREDIENTS

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

STEP 3: CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 2–3 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and slightly fluffy.

FINISHING THE DOUGH, BAKING THE COOKIES, AND PREPPING THE CARAMEL DRIZZLE

With your dry ingredients ready and your butter and sugar creamed to perfection, it’s time to move on to the best parts—adding that rich cream cheese and baking the cookies. These next steps will bring everything together for that signature cheesecake flavor and soft cookie texture. And once they’re baked, we’ll top them off with warm caramel for the ultimate finish.

STEP 4: ADD CREAM CHEESE AND VANILLA

To the butter and sugar mixture, add your softened cream cheese and vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is fluffy and smooth—this should take about a minute or two. The cream cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor and creates the soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these cookies so special.

STEP 5: COMBINE WITH DRY INGREDIENTS

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the cream cheese mixture, stirring just until combined. You don’t want to overmix the dough here—just blend until everything comes together into a soft, slightly sticky dough.

STEP 6: PORTION AND SPACE THE COOKIES

Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each one to allow for spreading during baking. You can lightly press the tops if you want a more even surface, but it’s not necessary.

STEP 7: BAKE TO PERFECTION

Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look just set. You don’t want to overbake—keeping them soft in the center gives them that perfect cheesecake-like bite. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the caramel.

STEP 8: PREPARE THE CARAMEL DRIZZLE

In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm ½ cup of caramel sauce. If you’d like a thinner drizzle, stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. This gives you a pourable, glossy sauce that’s perfect for topping.

STEP 9: DRIZZLE OVER COOLED COOKIES

Once your cookies are completely cool, use a spoon or fork to drizzle the warm caramel over each cookie. Let them sit for a few minutes so the caramel can set before serving or storing

CARAMEL DRIZZLE, FAQ, AND FINAL THOUGHTS

Your cookies are out of the oven, soft and golden with that signature cheesecake aroma in the air. Now it’s time to finish them off with a silky caramel drizzle that takes these Caramel Cheesecake Cookies from delicious to downright irresistible. Whether you’re sharing them with guests or saving a batch for yourself, this final step is the sweet cherry on top.

CAN I MAKE THESE COOKIES AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes! You can bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies (without caramel) and drizzle with caramel after thawing.

CAN I USE HOMEMADE CARAMEL SAUCE?

Absolutely. A homemade caramel sauce works beautifully and adds even more depth of flavor. Just make sure it’s fully cooled but still pourable before drizzling.

DO THESE NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED?

Not necessarily. Since the cream cheese is baked into the cookies, they’re fine at room temperature for a few days. If you’re in a warm climate or want to store them longer, refrigerate in an airtight container.

CAN I FREEZE THE COOKIE DOUGH?

Yes! Portion the dough into scoops and freeze them on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen—just add a minute or two to the bake time.

CAN I MAKE THEM GLUTEN-FREE?

You can try substituting a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.

FINAL THOUGHTS: WHY THESE CARAMEL CHEESECAKE COOKIES BELONG IN YOUR RECIPE BOX

These Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are the perfect blend of creamy, chewy, and sweet. The cream cheese adds richness, the soft-baked texture keeps them indulgent, and that caramel drizzle brings everything together in one truly satisfying bite. They’re elegant enough for a party tray, easy enough for everyday baking, and always a hit with anyone who tries them. Keep this recipe on hand for your next bake sale, holiday cookie exchange, or just a cozy afternoon treat—you won’t regret it. Once you’ve had one of these cookies fresh out of the oven with that warm caramel on top, you’ll see why they’ve become a staple in so many kitchens. Print