Imagine the rich, buttery depth of a chocolate chip cookie—warm from the oven, crisp at the edges, chewy in the center—transformed into a perfectly portioned cup, then filled with silky dulce de leche and finished with a drizzle of salted caramel and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. That’s the magic of Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche Cookie Cups: a show-stopping dessert that combines the comfort of everyone’s favorite cookie with the luxurious indulgence of Latin American caramel, all in an elegant, handheld format.
These aren’t just cookies. They’re mini dessert vessels that look like they came from a high-end bakery but require just one bowl, 30 minutes of active time, and zero fancy equipment. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, packing holiday gift boxes, or treating yourself to a little luxury, these cookie cups deliver maximum impact with minimal effort. One bite—crisp cookie shell, molten dulce de leche, salty-sweet caramel—and you’ll understand why they’re destined to become your signature dessert.
Why Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche Cookie Cups Are a Must-Make
🍯 Triple-Layer Indulgence
- Base: Buttery, crisp-edged chocolate chip cookie cup
- Filling: Luxuriously smooth, slow-cooked dulce de leche
- Topping: Glossy salted caramel + flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet-salty finish
⏱️ Surprisingly Quick & Easy
No piping bags, no intricate molds—just press dough into a muffin tin and bake! Ready in under an hour (mostly hands-off).
🎁 Naturally Elegant & Gift-Ready
Their uniform shape and glossy fillings make them perfect for parties, cookie swaps, or festive tins.
🍫 Customizable & Crowd-Pleasing
Add nuts, swap chips, or drizzle with chocolate—endless ways to make them your own.
🥄 Portion-Controlled Decadence
Individual servings mean no guilt (okay, maybe a little!) and easy serving.
The Secret to Perfect Cookie Cups: Crisp Shells, No Sogginess
The magic lies in three key techniques:
- Chilled Dough: Prevents overspreading and helps the cups hold their shape.
- Pressing While Warm: Right after baking, use a small glass or spoon to gently press the centers down—this creates the cup and prevents doming.
- Cool Completely Before Filling: Warm cookies = melted, runny dulce de leche. Patience ensures a clean, set filling.
Foolproof Recipe: Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche Cookie Cups
Yield: 12 cookie cups
Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 30–60 min chill)
Bake Time: 14–16 minutes
Assembly Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cookie Cups:
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (165g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups (255g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chunks)
For the Filling & Topping:
- 1 (13.4 oz) can dulce de leche (or homemade)
- ½ cup (120ml) high-quality salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Flaky sea salt (e.g., Maldon), for finishing
Equipment
- 12-cup standard muffin tin
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Small glass or spice jar (for pressing cups)
- Piping bag or zip-top bag (optional, for neat filling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (2–3 mins).
- Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low just until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips with a spatula.
2. Chill the Dough
- Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 30–60 minutes. This prevents spreading and helps the cups hold shape.
3. Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin (non-stick spray works well).
4. Shape the Cups
- Scoop 2–3 tbsp dough into each muffin cup (about ⅔ full).
- Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to press dough evenly up the sides, creating a cup shape with a slightly thicker base.
5. Bake
- Bake for 14–16 minutes, until edges are golden and centers look set (they’ll still be soft).
- Immediately after removing from oven, gently press the center of each cup down with the bottom of a small glass or spice jar to reinforce the cup shape.
- Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove to a wire rack to cool completely (at least 1 hour).
6. Fill & Drizzle
- Once cookie cups are completely cool, spoon or pipe dulce de leche into each cup, filling to just below the rim.
- Drizzle with salted caramel sauce.
- Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
- Optional: Add a few mini chocolate chips or chopped toasted pecans on top.
Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Warm dough spreads and loses its cup shape.
- Press While Hot: The cookies are pliable right out of the oven—this is your only chance to shape the cup!
- Cool Completely: Filling warm cookies causes the dulce de leche to melt and seep into the cookie, making it soggy.
- Use Quality Caramel & Dulce de Leche: This is a simple dessert—ingredients shine. Look for brands with short ingredient lists (e.g., Nestlé La Lechera for dulce de leche; Sanders or homemade for caramel).
- Uniform Scooping: Use a 3-tbsp cookie scoop for even cups.
Delicious Variations
- Gluten-Free: Swap AP flour for 1:1 GF baking flour.
- Vegan: Use plant-based butter, flax egg, and dairy-free chocolate + caramel.
- Nutty Crunch: Fold ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the dough.
- Chocolate Lovers: Use dark chocolate chips and drizzle with melted chocolate.
- Mini Versions: Use a 24-cup mini muffin tin; reduce bake time to 10–12 minutes.
Storage & Serving
- Room Temperature: Store unfilled cookie cups in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Fill just before serving.
- Filled Cups: Best served the same day. If storing filled, keep in the fridge for up to 2 days; bring to room temp before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze unfilled cookie cups for up to 2 months. Thaw, then fill and drizzle.
- Serving Tip: Pair with vanilla ice cream or a shot of espresso for an elevated dessert experience.
Why These Cookie Cups Belong in Your Dessert Repertoire
Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche Cookie Cups are the ultimate fusion of comfort and luxury. They take the universal love of chocolate chip cookies and elevate them into a sophisticated, multi-layered dessert that wows without overwhelming the baker. They’re perfect for when you want to impress guests, celebrate a special occasion, or simply treat yourself to a moment of pure indulgence.
One bite—crisp cookie, velvety dulce de leche, salty-sweet caramel—and you’ll be transported to dessert heaven. So grab your muffin tin, preheat that oven, and get ready to create a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Sweet, salty, and utterly irresistible—these cups are ready to steal the show! 🍯🍪✨
Print
Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche Cookie Cups: The Ultimate Decadent Dessert (Crispy Edges, Gooey Center & Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Ingredients
For the cookie cups:
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
For the filling:
• ½ cup dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)
• 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (to thin if needed)
• Flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin or use liners.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes). Mix in egg yolk and vanilla. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Roll dough into 24 small balls. Press each into the bottom of the muffin cups, forming a shallow cup (use a tiny spoon or your finger).
- Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden. Let cool slightly in the pan.
- Fill the cups: Spoon or pipe dulce de leche into each warm cookie cup. If too thick, stir in cream 1 tsp at a time.
- Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
- Let cool completely before removing—this helps them hold their shape.
✨ Perfect for:
• Holiday dessert trays
• Gift boxes
• Special occasion treats
💡 Make ahead: Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days. Add salt just before serving.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time : 20 mins , Cook Time : 12 mins , Total Time : 40 mins , Servings : 24 cookie cups , Calories : 90 per cup , Net Carbs: 11g , Fats: 5g , Protein: 1g