The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
If you love cheesecake and cookies equally, these caramel cheesecake cookies are about to become your new obsession. Soft and buttery on the outside, filled with a rich cheesecake center, and finished with pockets of gooey caramel, they deliver everything you want in a dessert—comfort, indulgence, and pure joy in every bite.
These cookies are designed to impress without feeling fussy. They look bakery-worthy, taste luxurious, and yet come together with familiar pantry ingredients. The contrast between the tender cookie dough, the creamy cheesecake filling, and the molten caramel center creates a dessert experience that feels far more decadent than the effort required.
Perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, bake sales, or cozy nights in, these cookies disappear fast—often before they’ve fully cooled.
Why These Cookies Are So Addictive
Caramel cheesecake cookies stand out because they offer layers of texture and flavor, not just sweetness.
What makes them irresistible:
- Soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base
- Tangy, creamy cheesecake filling
- Warm, gooey caramel center
- Balanced sweetness with richness
They’re indulgent without being overwhelming, thanks to the slight tang of cream cheese and the deep caramel flavor.
Flavor & Texture Experience
Each bite delivers:
- A soft, chewy cookie exterior
- Creamy cheesecake richness in the center
- Gooey caramel pockets that stretch slightly when warm
The cookies stay soft for days and taste just as good chilled as they do slightly warm.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cookie Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Layer
- 20 soft caramel candies, unwrapped (or thick caramel sauce, chilled into dollops)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Scoop into small teaspoon-sized portions and freeze for 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Scoop cookie dough into balls. Flatten slightly.
- Place a frozen cheesecake portion and a caramel candy in the center.
- Wrap dough around filling, sealing completely.
- Chill assembled cookies for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake cookies for 11–13 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft.
- Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cheesecake Cookies
- Freeze the cheesecake filling so it doesn’t leak
- Seal dough completely around filling
- Slightly underbake for maximum gooey texture
- Chill dough before baking to prevent spreading
These small steps make a big difference in the final result.
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Store baked cookies in the refrigerator up to 5 days
- Bring to room temperature before serving
- Freeze unbaked stuffed cookies up to 2 months
- Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes
Delicious Variations
- Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top
- Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake: Add cocoa powder to the dough
- Apple Caramel Cheesecake Cookies: Add diced apple to filling
- Holiday Version: Add cinnamon or nutmeg
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies:
- Slightly warm with coffee
- As part of a holiday cookie tray
- With vanilla ice cream
- At bake sales or cookie swaps
They’re showstoppers wherever they go.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe balances:
- Fat from butter and cream cheese
- Structure from chilling and freezing
- Sweetness from caramel and brown sugar
- Moisture control to keep cookies soft
The result is a cookie that feels indulgent but not sloppy, rich but not heavy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the freezing step
- Overbaking the cookies
- Using thin caramel sauce
- Not sealing dough fully
Avoiding these ensures perfect cookies every time.
Final Thoughts
Caramel cheesecake cookies are the kind of dessert that people remember. Soft, gooey, creamy, and luxurious, they combine everything we love about cookies and cheesecake into one unforgettable treat.
Make a batch once—and don’t be surprised if they become a permanent request during the holidays and beyond.
Caramel Cheesecake Cookies
Soft, gooey cookies stuffed with creamy cheesecake filling and rich caramel centers.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare cheesecake filling and freeze portions.
- Mix dry ingredients for cookie dough.
- Cream butter and sugars, then add egg and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Stuff dough with cheesecake and caramel.
- Chill, then bake until edges are set.
Notes
Slightly underbake for gooey centers.
