The Fastest No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe Ever

Sweet dreams come alive with these no-bake salted caramel cookies that dance between decadent and light.

Caramel lovers will instantly fall in love with this simple yet irresistible treat.

Minimal ingredients blend seamlessly to create a dessert that feels both luxurious and approachable.

Crisp textures mingle with rich, buttery notes that practically melt on your tongue.

Crunchy edges and smooth centers make each bite a delightful surprise.

Forget complicated baking techniques – this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Let’s transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary moment of pure indulgence.

What Makes No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Stand Out

Whip Up Sweet-Salty Magic: Reasons to Love These No-Bake Cookies

• Foolproof Preparation: Requires zero baking skills, perfect for novice cooks or kitchen-shy dessert lovers who want delicious results without complex techniques.
• Speedy Satisfaction: Comes together in mere minutes with simple steps, delivering quick gratification for sudden sweet-and-salty cravings without lengthy preparation.
• Texture Wonderland: Offers an incredible combination of crunchy oats, smooth chocolate, and crispy toffee chips, creating a multi-dimensional sensory experience in every single bite.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Suitable for casual gatherings, potlucks, after-school snacks, or impromptu dessert moments, making them a flexible treat for any occasion.

Salted Caramel Cookies (No-Bake) Ingredients

• Sugar: Core sweetener for the caramel base.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creamy texture.
• Evaporated Milk: Creates smooth caramel consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• Quick Oats: Provides structure and texture to cookies.
• Butterscotch Pudding Mix: Adds depth of flavor and helps bind ingredients.

• Chocolate Chips, Toffee Chips: Adds extra sweetness and crunch.
• Sea Salt: Provides final flavor contrast and garnish.

• Parchment Paper or Wax Paper: Used for cookie sheet lining.

Salted Caramel No-Bake Cookies Steps

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help the cookies set smoothly and prevent sticking. Grab all your ingredients and tools to make the cooking process quick and enjoyable.

Step 2: Create Caramel Magic

• Sugar
• Butter
• Evaporated milk
• Pinch of salt

Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat until it reaches a vigorous, rolling boil. Keep stirring to prevent burning. Once it’s bubbling wildly, boil for exactly 30 seconds, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Mix in Delicious Dry Ingredients

• Quick oats
• Butterscotch pudding mix

Stir until everything is perfectly blended. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes to prevent chocolate from melting completely.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Surprises

Pull out your chilled chocolate chips and toffee chips. Gently fold them into the mixture, being careful not to overmix. The goal is to keep the chocolate partially intact for delightful texture.

Step 5: Shape Your Cookies

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop mounds onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle a light dusting of sea salt over each cookie for that irresistible sweet-salty kick.

Step 6: Let Cookies Set

Allow cookies to rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. They’ll firm up and become deliciously chewy during this time.

Step 7: Devour and Enjoy

Grab a cold glass of milk and dig into your homemade no-bake salted caramel cookies. Share with friends or keep them all to yourself – we won’t judge!

No-Bake Cookie Tips That Nail the Salted Caramel Balance

• Chill Chocolate Chips: Freeze chocolate chips before adding to prevent rapid melting and maintain their shape in the warm caramel mixture.
• Boil Precisely: Monitor the caramel base carefully, ensuring a full rolling boil for exactly 30 seconds to achieve the perfect texture and consistency.
• Salt Strategically: Sprinkle sea salt on top of each cookie just before cooling to enhance the sweet-and-salty flavor profile and create a gourmet touch.
• Mix Gently: Stir mix-ins quickly but carefully to prevent chocolate chips from completely melting, maintaining delightful chocolate chunks in each bite.
• Rest and Set: Allow cookies to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, giving them time to firm up and develop the ideal no-bake cookie texture.

Storing No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies for Later

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep chilled for up to 5 days to maintain texture and prevent melting.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Keep in sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Consume within 2-3 days for best flavor and consistency.
• Gently warm cookies in microwave for 5-8 seconds or let sit at room temperature for soft, chewy texture. Avoid prolonged heating to prevent chocolate from burning.

Pairings for Salted Caramel Cookies

• Match these sweet and salty cookies with a rich, dark espresso that cuts through the caramel's richness and enhances the complex flavor profile.
• Elevate the classic milk and cookie experience with vanilla-infused whole milk.
• Pair with Portuguese port or rich Pedro Ximénez sherry.

Caramel Cookie Sweet Takes

• Gluten-Free Delight: Swap quick oats with certified gluten-free oats and use gluten-free butterscotch pudding mix to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Replace toffee chips with chopped almonds or pecans for added texture and a rich, nutty flavor profile.
• Vegan Caramel Option: Use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk, plant-based butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, and vegan butterscotch pudding mix to craft a completely plant-based treat.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use sugar-free pudding mix and chocolate chips to reduce overall sugar content.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the chocolate chips from melting completely?

Freeze the chocolate chips before adding them to the warm mixture. Gently and quickly stir them in to maintain their shape and prevent total melting.

• What if I don't have sea salt for topping?

Regular table salt works, but sea salt provides a better texture and more pronounced salty-sweet flavor. If you don’t have sea salt, you can skip the salt topping or use a pinch of kosher salt.

• Can I substitute the butterscotch pudding mix?

Vanilla pudding mix can be used as an alternative. The flavor profile will be slightly different, but the cookies will still hold together well and taste delicious.

• Why do I need to let the mixture cool slightly before adding mix-ins?

Allowing the mixture to cool prevents the chocolate chips from completely melting and helps maintain their texture in the final cookie. This ensures you get chocolate chip chunks instead of a fully melted chocolate mixture.

No-Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes 30 seconds
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet, irresistible no-bake salted caramel cookies deliver a delightful blend of rich caramel and sea salt in a quick, effortless dessert. Creamy, crunchy morsels melt in your mouth, offering a perfect treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
• 3 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Binding/Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 (3.4 ounces) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 1/2 cup toffee chips

Seasoning Ingredients:

• Dash of salt (plus extra for sprinkling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare your workspace by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a clean surface for cooling the cookies.
2. Chill the chocolate chips in the freezer to prevent rapid melting during the mixing process.
3. In a medium saucepan, create the caramel base by combining sugar, butter, evaporated milk, and a pinch of salt over medium heat.
4. Bring the mixture to a vigorous, rolling boil that continues bubbling even when stirred, maintaining constant movement to prevent burning.
5. After exactly 30 seconds of boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat source.
6. Incorporate quick oats and butterscotch pudding mix, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution throughout the warm caramel mixture.
7. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, which helps stabilize the consistency and prevents immediate chocolate chip melting.
8. Retrieve the chilled chocolate chips and toffee chips, gently folding them into the mixture with minimal stirring to maintain chip integrity.
9. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, carefully drop uniform mounds of the mixture onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.
10. Delicately sprinkle sea salt over each cookie mound, creating a perfect sweet and salty balance.
11. Let the cookies rest at room temperature, allowing them to naturally firm up and set for 15-30 minutes.
12. Once completely set, serve and savor these decadent no-bake treats alongside a refreshing beverage.

Notes

• Prevent Chocolate Melting by chilling chocolate chips in the freezer before adding to the warm caramel mixture to maintain chip integrity.
• Create Texture Variation by gently folding mix-ins to keep chocolate chips partially intact, ensuring delightful chocolate chunks in each bite.
• Enhance Flavor Profile by sprinkling high-quality sea salt on top, which amplifies the sweet-salty contrast and elevates the overall taste experience.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs by substituting quick oats with gluten-free oats and using dairy-free butter and chocolate chips for a vegan-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 seconds
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg