Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel Centers

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated (white) sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this, which will take about 3-5 minutes. Creaming the butter and sugar properly helps to create a smooth dough and contributes to a soft cookie texture.
3. Once the butter and sugars are well combined, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The egg helps bind the dough and adds richness to the flavor.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. The cinnamon adds a warm, cozy flavor that complements the sweetness of the brown sugar and caramel. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
5. Once the dough is ready, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.