Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are an indulgent treat that combines the best of two dessert worlds—cookies and cheesecake. These gourmet-style cookies feature a soft, buttery base topped with a rich, creamy cheesecake frosting and a luscious drizzle of salted caramel.
Finished with a sprinkle of sea salt, each bite delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and savory flair. Inspired by the beloved Crumbl bakery, these cookies are perfect for special occasions or simply satisfying your sweet cravings.
Whether served chilled or at room temperature, they’re guaranteed to impress with their melt-in-your-mouth texture and decadent flavor profile.
If you’re a fan of decadent desserts and Crumbl’s rotating menu, these Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are a must-try. Featuring a soft, thick graham-flavored cookie base topped with tangy cheesecake frosting, and drizzled with salted caramel — these cookies deliver creamy, sweet, salty, and buttery richness in every bite. Let’s dive into the full recipe that tastes just like the real deal.
Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Description
Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are an indulgent dessert dream come true. Each cookie features a buttery graham cracker-flavored base, topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting, and finished with a luscious drizzle of rich salted caramel sauce.
The perfect blend of sweet, salty, and creamy, these cookies capture the essence of a classic cheesecake in soft, oversized cookie form.
With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and balanced flavors, they make an irresistible treat for any occasion—whether as a party dessert or a sweet personal indulgence.
Every bite offers decadent satisfaction and bakery-quality richness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Frosting:
For the Salted Caramel Drizzle:
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cookie Dough
-
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
-
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and beat again until well combined.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
-
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
-
Cover and chill the dough for 30–60 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
-
-
Bake the Cookies
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
-
Scoop dough using a large cookie scoop (about 3–4 tbsp each) and roll into balls. Flatten slightly with your hand.
-
Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft.
-
Remove from oven and immediately use a round cutter or spoon to gently nudge the edges into perfect circles, if desired.
-
Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
-
-
Make the Cheesecake Frosting
-
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
-
Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
-
Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting is fluffy and pipeable. If it's too soft, chill for 10–15 minutes before using.
-
Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip or simply use a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off.
-
Pipe a generous swirl of cheesecake frosting on each cooled cookie, leaving a little border around the edges.
-
-
Make the Salted Caramel Drizzle
-
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir gently until sugar dissolves.
-
Increase heat and stop stirring. Allow the sugar to bubble and cook until it turns a golden amber color (watch closely — this happens fast).
-
Remove from heat and whisk in butter (carefully, it will bubble), then whisk in heavy cream and salt.
-
Let caramel cool for 10–15 minutes to thicken slightly.
-
Drizzle caramel over the frosted cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Sprinkle with additional graham crumbs or a pinch of sea salt for garnish.
-
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 280kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g19%
- Total Carbohydrate 39g13%
- Protein 3g6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
If you're obsessed with rich, indulgent cookies, Crumbl’s Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are the ultimate treat.
With a soft graham cracker base, creamy cheesecake frosting, and luscious salted caramel drizzle, they strike the perfect balance of buttery, sweet, and salty.
Whether you're baking them for a party or prepping ahead, these pro tips, tricks, and storage instructions will ensure your cookies are as good as Crumbl's—if not better.
Baking Tips for the Perfect Texture
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients:
Bring your cream cheese, butter, and eggs to room temperature before mixing. This ensures smoother dough and frosting, and helps the cookies bake evenly. - Crush Graham Crackers Finely:
For the cookie base, the graham cracker crumbs should be finely ground—almost like flour. This creates a soft, cake-like texture that mimics cheesecake crust. - Don’t Overbake:
These cookies are meant to be soft and thick. Bake until the edges are lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue to set as they cool. - Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended):
If you have time, refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes. This helps prevent spreading and intensifies the flavor. - Use a Cookie Scoop:
To keep the cookies uniform and bakery-style, use a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup size). This ensures they’re thick enough to hold the frosting and caramel.
Frosting & Drizzle Tips
- Cheesecake Frosting Should Be Thick but Pipeable:
Use full-fat cream cheese and powdered sugar to get the right texture. If the frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, a tablespoon of milk can loosen it. - Cool Cookies Completely Before Frosting:
Never frost warm cookies—this will cause the cheesecake frosting to melt and slide off. - Use a Piping Bag:
For that signature Crumbl swirl, use a piping bag fitted with a round or star tip. Pipe in a circular motion, leaving a border for the caramel to drizzle attractively. - Homemade Caramel or Store-Bought:
Use high-quality salted caramel for drizzling. If making your own, ensure it cools to room temp before drizzling, or it’ll melt the frosting.
Serving Tricks
- Chill Before Serving for a Cheesecake-Like Experience:
If you want the cheesecake frosting to be firm and the flavors to meld, chill the cookies for 1–2 hours before serving. - Serve at Room Temperature for Softness:
Prefer softer frosting and a gooey caramel experience? Take cookies out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before serving. - Garnish Right Before Serving:
For special occasions, add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or crushed graham crackers just before serving to elevate the look and flavor. - Perfect Pairings:
These cookies go wonderfully with coffee, hot chocolate, or milk. They’re rich, so one cookie per person is usually plenty!
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator (Best for Cheesecake Frosting):
Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking. - Freezing (For Make-Ahead or Leftovers):
- Unfrosted Cookies: Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight bag or container. Thaw at room temperature, then frost fresh.
- Frosted Cookies: Freeze individually on a tray, then wrap in plastic wrap and place in a container. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Room Temperature (Short-Term Only):
Because of the cream cheese frosting, these cookies should not be kept at room temp for more than 2 hours.
Tips for Success:
- Chill the dough to keep the cookies thick and chewy.
- Don’t overbake — cookies should look slightly underdone in the center.
- Use room temp cream cheese and butter for smooth frosting.
- Make caramel ahead and store in the fridge. Warm slightly before drizzling.
Optional Variations:
- Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough.
- Use store-bought caramel sauce for quicker prep.
- Make them mini for bite-sized party treats.
These Crumbl-inspired Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are rich, creamy, and totally indulgent. Perfect for parties, gifting, or treating yourself to a café-style dessert at home. Enjoy every buttery bite!
Final Note:
These Crumbl-inspired Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are show-stoppers, whether for a holiday spread, birthday party, or indulgent weekend treat.
Follow these tips and tricks, and you’ll get bakery-quality results—chewy, creamy, sweet, salty, and absolutely unforgettable.
Pin this recipe to share with your friends and followers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies?
Crumbl Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies are rich, indulgent cookies that combine a soft, brown sugar cookie base with a luscious cheesecake frosting and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. They often include a buttery graham cracker crust base or crumble topping for added texture.
These cookies are inspired by the flavors of classic caramel cheesecake and are known for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet-salty balance.
Are they served warm or chilled?
These cookies are typically served chilled. Because of the cheesecake frosting and caramel topping, chilling helps maintain the structure and enhances the creamy, tangy flavor of the frosting. Crumbl recommends enjoying them cold to replicate the texture of cheesecake, although some people prefer them slightly softened at room temperature.
Do they contain real cheesecake?
Yes, the frosting is usually made with real cream cheese, which gives it an authentic cheesecake flavor.
However, the cookie itself doesn’t contain a baked cheesecake center; instead, it mimics the overall flavor profile using a combination of cream cheese frosting, caramel, and sometimes graham crumbs.
Can I store or freeze them?
Yes! These cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To freeze, wrap each cookie individually and store in a freezer-safe container or zip bag for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. For best taste and texture, avoid microwaving them as it can affect the frosting.
