Name: Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Butter (softened, salted or unsalted); 1/3 cup Imperial Sugar granulated sugar; 1/4 cup Imperial Sugar brown sugar; 1 egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 & 1/3 cup All-Purpose flour; 1 cup graham crackers (finely crushed, about 7 sheets); 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/3 cup graham crackers (finely crushed, about 2 sheets); 4 oz cream cheese (softened); 4 tbsp butter (softened, salted or unsalted); 1 cup Imperial Sugar powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 cup caramel sauce (see notes); Sea salt (to sprinkle)

If you’re ready to treat yourself to a truly decadent dessert, look no further than the Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe. These irresistible cookies combine a soft, buttery base with the nostalgic crunch of graham crackers, all topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, a drizzle of silky caramel, and just the right touch of sea salt. Every bite is a perfect dance of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy that feels like a celebration in your mouth. Trust me, once you try making these at home, they’ll rapidly become a favorite go-to for sharing or savoring alongside your favorite cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows eight small white bowls arranged on a white marbled surface. Each bowl contains a different ingredient: one bowl holds light brown soft sugar with a grainy texture, another has smooth brown syrup, the third contains pale yellow soft butter, a bowl with an egg yolk surrounded by clear egg white, a bowl of white soft cream cheese, another bowl with fine white powdered sugar, a bowl filled with light tan crumbly graham cracker crumbs, and a bowl with white flour. The bowls are spaced evenly, showing clear separation between each ingredient. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering your ingredients is a breeze, and each one plays a vital role in bringing the Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe to life. From the creamy butter that adds richness to the crispy graham cracker crumbs that give texture and flavor, everything works together in harmony to create a cookie you won’t forget.

Butter (1/2 cup, softened, salted or unsalted): Provides richness and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
Imperial Sugar granulated sugar (1/3 cup): Sweetens the dough while helping with that perfect bake.
Imperial Sugar brown sugar (1/4 cup): Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor to the cookie base.
Egg (1): Binds all ingredients together and adds structure.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances all the flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
All-purpose flour (1 & 1/3 cup): The foundation that holds everything together.
Graham crackers, finely crushed: Use about 1 cup (7 sheets) for the dough and an additional 1/3 cup (2 sheets) for coating—this adds a buttery crunch and irresistible flavor.
Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances sweetness and brings out the cookie’s flavor.
Baking soda (1/4 tsp): Helps the cookies rise to the perfect softness.
Baking powder (1/2 tsp): Adds extra lift and lightness to the dough.
Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): The heart of the decadent frosting, giving it creaminess and a tangy bite.
Butter (4 tbsp, softened, salted or unsalted): Makes the frosting silky and rich.
Imperial Sugar powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Infuses the frosting with delightful flavor.
Caramel sauce (1/4 cup): Adds the irresistible salted caramel drizzle on top—choose your favorite brand or homemade.
Sea salt: A sprinkle on top to contrast the sweet caramel and highlight the flavors.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; this not only prevents sticking but also helps the cookies bake evenly. Setting this up beforehand makes the process smoother, allowing you to focus on mixing and shaping your dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This step is key to achieving that perfect balance of sweetness and buttery flavor in the cookies, so take your time to get a nice, airy consistency.

Step 3: Incorporate the Egg and Vanilla

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, beating again until everything is well combined. The egg brings moisture and structure, while the vanilla adds a beautiful depth to the flavor that will shine through every bite.

Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, crushed graham crackers (the larger portion for the dough), salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add this to your wet ingredients, mixing just until you no longer see any flour streaks. Over-mixing can make cookies tough, so gentle mixing is the secret here.

Step 5: Shape and Coat the Cookie Dough

Using a large cookie scoop, portion out eight equal-sized dough balls. Roll each one smoothly between your palms, then gently coat them in the remaining finely crushed graham crackers. This coating adds a subtle crunch and authentic flavor that makes these cookies stand out.

Step 6: Bake Your Cookies

Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Flatten each ball gently to about half an inch thick—this ensures they bake uniformly and get beautifully soft inside. Bake for 10 minutes, then allow them to cool on the baking sheet for another 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies cool, it’s time for the frosting. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until you achieve a smooth and creamy texture. This combination creates the rich base that’s going to make your cookies unforgettable.

Step 8: Sweeten and Fluff the Frosting

Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat at high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and holds soft peaks. Perfect frosting texture is important here for easy piping and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Step 9: Frost and Garnish

Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip with your cream cheese frosting. Pipe a generous swirl onto each cookie. Then, top with half to one teaspoon of caramel sauce and finish with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt. This final step brings all the elements of the Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe into perfect harmony.

How to Serve Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Two round, flat cookies with a light golden brown color and slightly rough, crumbly texture sit on a silicone baking mat that is red-edged and placed on a metal baking tray with a white marbled surface underneath. The cookies have small cracks on their surfaces and slightly crimped edges, showing a homemade, rustic look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishing, don’t be shy with the sea salt. A light sprinkle accentuates the sweetness and offers that beautiful salty contrast that caramel lovers rave about. If you want to add a touch of elegance, consider tiny edible gold flakes or a dusting of cinnamon for warmth.

Side Dishes

These cookies are divine on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a chilly glass of milk or a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. For a cozy treat, serve alongside warm spiced cider or hot chocolate—nothing beats a caramel cheesecake cookie with a comforting warm drink!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gifts, arrange the cookies in a pretty tin lined with parchment and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers for an enticing look. You can also create cookie sandwiches by adding a second cookie on top or pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn them into a gourmet dessert experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe fresh, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep the frosting and caramel topping on, but if you prefer, you can pipe the frosting just before serving to preserve freshness and texture.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these cookies later, you can freeze them without frosting for up to 3 months. Arrange the unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. For frosted cookies, freeze on a tray until set, then store in an airtight container with parchment between layers.

Reheating

To bring out their fresh-baked goodness, warm the cookies in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This helps to soften the cookie and slightly melt the frosting and caramel, making every bite heavenly. Avoid microwaving as it can make the frosting too runny.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter or unsalted butter for this recipe?

Either works perfectly! Just keep in mind that if you use salted butter, you might want to reduce the additional salt slightly to keep the flavors balanced.

Is it necessary to crush graham crackers finely?

Yes, finely crushing the graham crackers ensures they blend smoothly into the dough for texture without being gritty, while also providing a nice coating that sticks well.

Can I make the frosting without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can use a hand mixer or even beat by hand with a whisk, but it will require a bit more effort to achieve that light, fluffy texture.

What kind of caramel sauce should I use?

Use your favorite brand or homemade caramel sauce. Look for one that’s thick but pourable to make sure it stays nicely on top of the frosting without running off.

Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?

Yes! Once fully cooled and frosted, freeze the cookies individually on a baking sheet until firm, then stack with parchment paper between layers in an airtight container to prevent sticking.

Final Thoughts

The Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is one of those magical desserts that combines simple ingredients with a bit of extra love to create something truly special. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just yourself, these cookies bring joy to every bite. So why wait? Grab your ingredients, get baking, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite cookie!