Caramel Drizzled Butter Shortbread Cookies – Buttery, Tender Cookies with Rich Caramel Swirls
Caramel Drizzled Butter Shortbread Cookies are tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies made with rich, buttery dough and finished with elegant swirls of caramel drizzle. These simple yet decadent cookies are perfect for holiday platters or cozy afternoon treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling and decorating)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls or flatten and cut with a cookie cutter, then place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 14–16 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Warm caramel sauce slightly if needed, then drizzle over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag.
- Optional: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt while caramel is still tacky.
- Allow caramel to set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use high-quality butter for best flavor and texture.
- If using homemade caramel, let it cool slightly before drizzling to prevent runny swirls.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg