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Salted Caramel Pretzel Cookies

Salted caramel pretzel cookies bake up with golden edges, soft centers, and crunchy bits of pretzel and caramel in every bite. Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape, while flaky sea salt finishes each warm cookie.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Chilling and resting 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 3 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, softened
  • 0.75 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg large
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup mini pretzels coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup caramel bits
  • 1 tsp flaky sea salt

Equipment

  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 large baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  2. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
  3. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt in a medium bowl.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix just until no dry streaks remain.
  5. Fold in the chopped pretzels and caramel bits.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
  7. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  8. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  9. Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon portions and arrange 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
  10. Bake in batches for 11–13 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers are just set.
  11. Sprinkle the warm cookies with flaky sea salt.
  12. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
  13. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Notes

For even baking, keep the dough portions spaced 2 inches apart and bake in batches. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. For a gluten-free variation, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and gluten-free pretzels.