Description
Caramelized sugar cookie delights bring warm, nostalgic flavors from Southern kitchens to your dessert table. Crisp edges, golden centers, and rich caramel notes promise a sweet experience that connects generations of bakers.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsps cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm oven to 350°F (177°C) and layer two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Whip butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy, then blend egg and vanilla extract seamlessly.
- Mixing Dough: Sift together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and kosher salt. Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a uniform dough.
- Baking Cookies: Scoop dough onto prepared sheets, lightly flattening each portion. Slide into preheated oven and bake 9-10 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
- Cooling Process: Rest cookies on baking sheets for 2-3 minutes, then transition to wire rack for complete cooling.
- Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese until silky, gradually blending powdered sugar and vanilla extract into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Sugar Coating: Pour granulated sugar into shallow dish. Lavish frosting across cooled cookies, then delicately dip frosted surface into sugar for complete coverage.
- Caramelization Finale: Use kitchen torch to transform sugar coating into a crisp, golden layer. Allow cookies to set briefly before serving, revealing a delicate, caramelized surface.
Notes
- Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
- Sugar Torching Technique: Hold kitchen torch 2-3 inches from cookie surface, move constantly to avoid burning for even caramelization.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and cream cheese are soft but not melted for smoother mixing and better cookie consistency.
- Storage Strategy: Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg