Description
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel Centers — soft, chewy, bakery-style cookies with warm brown sugar, a hint of cinnamon, and a molten caramel surprise. Perfect for cozy mornings, holiday cookie boxes, or an indulgent after-dinner treat. This recipe delivers golden edges, a tender center, and a gooey caramel pull that’s irresistible. Keywords: brown sugar cookies, caramel center cookies, gooey cookies, cinnamon butter cookies, soft chewy cookies, holiday baking, gift cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 12–14 soft caramel candies (unwrapped) or ½ cup caramel baking bits
- 2 tbsp brown sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon (for coating)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar (optional, for sparkle)
- Optional: pinch of flaky sea salt; ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined, scraping the bowl as needed.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon portions of dough, flatten slightly, place one unwrapped caramel in the center, and wrap dough around the caramel, sealing completely; roll into balls.
- Mix coating: 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon. Roll each dough ball in the mixture.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared sheets and bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers look set but still soft.
- Cool on the baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Optionally drizzle melted caramel or a cinnamon glaze once cooled slightly.
Notes
- Use soft caramels or caramel baking bits — caramel sauce is too runny for this method.
- If dough feels too warm, chill 20–30 minutes to prevent spreading.
- For a salted caramel finish, sprinkle flaky sea salt on warm cookies.
- Freeze unbaked filled dough balls and bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.
- For thicker cookies, chill dough before baking; for thinner cookies, bake immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10-12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: brown sugar cinnamon cookies, caramel center cookies, gooey caramel cookies, soft chewy cookies, holiday cookie recipe, cinnamon butter cookies