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Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cookies

Thick, chewy peanut butter cookies accented with a rich salted caramel drizzle and finished with flaky sea salt for the ultimate sweet and salty treat.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter processed, not natural
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
Topping
  • 0.5 cup salted caramel sauce thick store-bought or homemade
  • 1 tbsp flaky sea salt like Maldon

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Large cookie scoop

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. Beat in the peanut butter until fully combined, then add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and fine sea salt.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Cover dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (mandatory step to prevent spreading).
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Scoop dough into large balls (approx 3 tbsp). Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart. Press a fork dipped in sugar onto each ball in a crisscross pattern.
  8. Bake for 11-13 minutes until edges are golden but centers still look slightly soft. Cool on pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  9. Once completely cool, drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle immediately with flaky sea salt.

Notes

For best results, use standard processed creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) rather than natural styles that require stirring.