Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step 1: Make the cookie dough
- Cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth.
Step 2: Add dry ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
- Add to the wet ingredients and mix just until a thick dough forms.
Step 3: Scoop & form
- Scoop large 3-tablespoon balls of dough.
- Flatten slightly with your palm to create thick discs (Crumbl style).
Step 4: Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers look soft.
- Cool completely on racks before frosting.
Step 5: Make the cheesecake frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
- Transfer to a piping bag.
Step 6: Frost
- Pipe a generous swirl onto the center of each cooled cookie.
Step 7: Drizzle with salted caramel
- Warm caramel sauce if thick.
- Drizzle over frosting and finish with a pinch of sea salt flakes.
Notes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store in the fridge up to 4 days (frosting contains cream cheese). Best eaten at room temperature. Freeze unfrosted cookies for 2 months, then thaw and frost. Frosted cookies freeze well, but caramel texture may soften slightly.🥄 Variations
Salted Caramel Cheesecake BarsPress dough into a baking pan and bake as bars. Chocolate Caramel Version
Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough. Brown Sugar Cookie Base
Replace half the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor. Maple Caramel
Add a bit of maple extract to the frosting for a fall-inspired twist. Caramel Pecan Crunch
Top with chopped pecans before drizzling caramel.
❓ 10 FAQs
Do these taste like Crumbl?Yes — same thick base, creamy frosting, and gooey caramel drizzle. Can I make them smaller?
Yes — reduce the bake time by 2–3 minutes. Can I chill the dough?
Not required, but chilling 20 minutes makes thicker cookies. Why are my cookies too puffy?
Don’t overmeasure flour — spoon and level for accuracy. Do I have to frost them?
The texture + flavor combo is best with frosting, but cookies alone are delicious. Can I use store-bought caramel?
Absolutely — a thick caramel sauce works great. Can I use salted butter?
Yes — reduce added salt. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze dough balls for easy baking later. Why is my frosting runny?
Add more powdered sugar or chill the frosting slightly. Can I stack these cookies?
Only after the frosting and caramel have chilled and firmed.
