Sea Salt Caramel Meltaways are irresistible cookies that truly melt in your mouth. Packed with rich caramel flavor and a hint of sea salt, these cookies deliver a perfect balance of sweet and salty in every bite. If you love caramel dessert recipes or crave melt in your mouth cookies, this recipe will quickly become a favorite. They are soft, buttery, and filled with sea salt caramel chips, making them a rich decadent baking treat perfect for any occasion.
Story
I first made Sea Salt Caramel Meltaways for a summer gathering, and they disappeared faster than anything else on the table. Since then, these cookies have become my go-to recipe whenever I need something dependable and crowd-pleasing. The magic of Sea Salt Caramel Meltaways comes from their soft texture and bold caramel flavor, which creates a cookie that feels both classic and special. Every batch of Sea Salt Caramel Meltaways fills the kitchen with a warm, buttery aroma, and they always turn out consistent and delicious. Whether you bake Sea Salt Caramel Meltaways for holidays or casual weekends, they always deliver satisfying results.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1 cup canola oil (or coconut oil or avocado oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 24 ounces sea salt caramel chips
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
Start by gathering all ingredients and allowing the butter to soften at room temperature, which helps create a smooth dough. Next, measure everything carefully because accurate amounts make a noticeable difference in texture. Then, preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease your cookie sheets so the dough does not stick during baking.
Cooking Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, oil, eggs, vanilla, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, sea salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda until smooth and creamy. After that, stir in the flour and sea salt caramel chips using a sturdy spoon until the dough fully combines. Then scoop the dough with a large cookie scoop and place portions about three inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Chill the dough on the sheets in the refrigerator for one hour, then bake for 12 to 14 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. Finally, remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.
Tips for Perfect Results
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid skipping the chilling step because warm dough spreads too quickly and changes the cookie texture. Also, do not overmix once the flour is added, as this can make the cookies dense instead of soft. In addition, using bleached flour can lead to tougher cookies, so always choose unbleached flour for the best results.
Pro Tips for Better Flavor
Use high-quality caramel chips to get a deeper flavor and better texture throughout the cookies. Additionally, rotating the pans halfway through baking helps achieve even browning. For extra flavor, lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top right after baking while the cookies are still warm.
Serving and Storage
How to Serve
Serve these cookies slightly warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. They pair well with coffee, milk, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert. These cookies also work perfectly for parties, potlucks, and holiday trays.

How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain softness. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months, then thaw at room temperature before serving.
Conclusion
Sea Salt Caramel Meltaways bring together soft texture, rich caramel flavor, and a balanced hint of salt in every bite. They are easy to make, reliable, and perfect for both everyday baking and special occasions. Once you try them, they will quickly become a staple in your recipe collection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the caramel chips?
Yes, you can use chocolate chips or butterscotch chips if needed, but caramel chips give the signature flavor that makes these cookies stand out.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough helps control spreading and improves the overall texture, resulting in thicker and softer cookies.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough in scooped portions, then bake directly from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Print
Sea Salt Caramel Meltaways
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 32 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery cookies packed with sea salt caramel chips that melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup canola oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 24 ounces sea salt caramel chips
Instructions
- Mix butter oil eggs vanilla sugars salt cream of tartar and baking soda until smooth
- Stir in flour and caramel chips until combined
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets spaced apart
- Chill dough on sheets for 1 hour
- Bake at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes rotating pans halfway
- Cool completely before serving
Notes
- Chilling the dough prevents spreading
- Use unbleached flour for softer cookies
- Rotate pans for even baking
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 311
- Sugar: 27
- Sodium: 191
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 44
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 29