No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

The Easiest No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe You’ll Love

Salted caramel cookies deliver pure indulgence without the hassle of heating your oven.

Sweet and salty flavors dance together in this irresistible treat that reinvents simple ingredients into culinary magic.

Crumbly, rich textures emerge from a clever combination of pantry staples that promise instant satisfaction.

Minimal effort translates into maximum deliciousness, making these cookies a go-to dessert for busy home bakers.

Smooth caramel notes blend seamlessly with a subtle salty kick, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that elevates the humble cookie.

Creamy, decadent, and impossibly easy to prepare, these no-bake wonders will become your new favorite quick dessert.

Storage Guide for No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies

  • Refrigerate: Store these delightful no-bake salted caramel cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep them chilled for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
  • Freeze: For longer storage, place cookies in a freezer-safe container, wrapping them carefully. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring they remain fresh and ready to enjoy whenever a sweet craving hits.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as this can alter their soft, chewy texture and melt the chocolate chips.

What Goes Well with Salted Caramel Cookies

  • Brew Complementary Coffee Companion: Pair these sweet, rich no-bake salted caramel cookies with a robust dark roast coffee that cuts through the sweetness and enhances the caramel's deep flavor profile, creating a perfect balance of bold and indulgent tastes.
  • Match Creamy Dairy Delight: Serve alongside cold whole milk or a smooth vanilla bean milkshake to complement the cookie's rich texture and amplify the dessert's luxurious caramel undertones, providing a refreshing contrast.
  • Elevate with Dessert Wine: Select a sweet dessert wine like moscato or late harvest riesling, which harmonizes with the cookie's caramel notes and provides a sophisticated adult twist to this nostalgic treat, making the experience more elegant and enjoyable.
  • Craft Nutty Flavor Fusion: Garnish the cookies with chopped toasted pecans or almonds to add a crunchy texture and nutty depth that enhances the existing toffee and caramel elements, creating a more complex and satisfying dessert experience.
  • Nutty Caramel Crunch: Replace toffee chips with chopped pecans or almonds for added texture and nutty flavor. Sprinkle roasted nut pieces on top for extra crunch.
  • Chocolate Lovers' Dream: Double the chocolate chips and use dark chocolate for a richer, more intense chocolate experience. Add cocoa powder to the mixture for deeper chocolate notes.
  • Tropical Sweet Treat: Mix in shredded coconut and replace some chocolate chips with white chocolate chips. Drizzle a small amount of toasted coconut over the cookies for a tropical touch.
  • Coffee Caramel Sensation: Stir in instant espresso powder to the mixture for a subtle coffee kick. Garnish with a light dusting of espresso powder on top of each cookie for an aromatic finish.

Why No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Work for Everyone

  • Indulge in No-Fuss Dessert: These no-bake salted caramel cookies deliver maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for lazy weekends or last-minute sweet cravings.
  • Texture Explosion: Combining crunchy oats, smooth chocolate chips, and crispy toffee creates a delightful mouthfeel that dances between chewy and crumbly textures.
  • Quick Gourmet Magic: In just 15-30 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a sophisticated treat that looks and tastes like a professional bakery creation, without turning on the oven.
  • Salty-Sweet Symphony: The sprinkle of coarse sea salt elevates the traditional caramel sweetness, adding a gourmet twist that transforms ordinary cookies into an irresistible flavor experience.

No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Ingredient Guide

Main Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:
  • Oats: Hearty base that provides texture and bulk to the no-bake cookies.
  • Dry Pudding Mix: Adds rich flavor and helps bind the cookie mixture together.
Sugar Base:
  • Sugar: Essential for creating the sweet caramel-like base and providing structure.
  • Evaporated Milk: Creamy liquid that helps dissolve sugar and create smooth consistency.
  • Butter: Adds richness, helps bind ingredients, and contributes to smooth texture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides delightful chocolate pockets and melty texture, best when chilled.
  • Toffee Chips: Adds extra crunch and caramel-like flavor complexity.
  • Coarse Sea Salt: Provides contrasting salty note that elevates the overall sweetness.
Additional Components:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cookie removal easy.
  • Salt Dash: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

How to Make No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper for easy cookie removal.

Set aside your measured oats.

Chill chocolate chips in the freezer to prevent rapid melting.

Step 2: Create the Caramel Base

In a medium saucepan, combine:
  • Sugar
  • Butter
  • Dash of salt
  • Evaporated milk

Stir frequently and bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat.

Boil for exactly 30 seconds, maintaining consistent stirring.

Step 3: Mix the Cookie Ingredients

Remove the saucepan from heat.

Stir in oats and dry pudding mix.

Let the mixture rest for a few minutes to slightly cool down.

Step 4: Add Chocolate and Toffee

Gently fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Toffee chips

Stir quickly to prevent complete chip melting.

Step 5: Shape and Finish Cookies

Scoop mixture using a spoon and drop onto prepared parchment paper.

Sprinkle coarse sea salt over each cookie before they cool.

Step 6: Allow Cookies to Set

Let cookies sit and solidify for 15-30 minutes at room temperature.

Enjoy your no-bake salted caramel treats!

Smart Tips for No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies

  • Choose Quality Ingredients: Select high-quality butter, fresh oats, and premium chocolate chips for the best flavor and texture.
  • Control Boiling Time: Watch the caramel mixture carefully during boiling to prevent burning, using exactly 30 seconds for the perfect consistency.
  • Chill Chocolate Chips: Freezing chocolate chips beforehand helps them maintain shape and prevents complete melting when mixed into the warm cookie base.
  • Work Quickly When Mixing: Stir chocolate and toffee chips swiftly and gently to create marbled texture without completely dissolving them.
  • Salt Strategically: Sprinkle coarse sea salt immediately after dropping cookies to enhance caramel flavor and create a beautiful finishing touch.
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No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet salted caramel cookies deliver a rich, indulgent experience without turning on the oven. Chocolate chips and graham cracker crumbs create an irresistible no-bake treat that melts in your mouth with perfect balance of salty and sweet.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ cups quick oats
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks)
  • ⅔ cup evaporated milk

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 3.4 ounces instant butterscotch pudding mix
  • ½ cup toffee chips
  • Dash of salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or wax paper, ensuring a smooth, flat surface for cookie placement.
  2. Gather and measure the oats, setting them aside for quick incorporation into the caramel mixture.
  3. Place chocolate chips in the freezer to maintain their shape during mixing and prevent complete melting.
  4. In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar (200 grams), unsalted butter (113 grams), a pinch of salt, and evaporated milk (120 milliliters or 4 fluid ounces).
  5. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring consistently to prevent burning and promote even caramelization.
  6. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a full rolling boil, maintaining constant movement with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula.
  7. Once boiling, allow the mixture to bubble vigorously for exactly 30 seconds, then immediately remove from heat.
  8. Quickly fold in the prepared oats and instant pudding mix, stirring until thoroughly integrated and the texture becomes slightly thickened.
  9. Let the mixture rest for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly and prevent chocolate chip disintegration.
  10. Gently fold in frozen chocolate chips and toffee chips, using rapid, light stirring motions to distribute ingredients evenly without completely melting the chips.
  11. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of the mixture onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart.
  12. Immediately sprinkle a small amount of coarse sea salt over each cookie for a delightful flavor contrast.
  13. Allow cookies to set and cool at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, during which they will firm up and develop a smooth, glossy exterior.

Notes

  • Chilling chocolate chips beforehand helps maintain their shape and texture when added to the warm mixture.
  • Quick boiling of the sugar, butter, and milk creates a smooth, rich caramel base for these no-bake cookies.
  • Letting the mixture cool slightly prevents chocolate chips from completely melting, ensuring delightful chocolate chunks.
  • Sprinkle sea salt just before cookies set to enhance the sweet-salty flavor profile and add a gourmet touch.
  • Parchment paper makes removing and cleaning up after cookie-making a breeze, preventing sticking and mess.
  • Patience is key – allow cookies to set for at least 15-30 minutes to achieve the perfect chewy, firm texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 245 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 95 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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