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You are here: Home / Recipes / Desserts / Cookies / Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Published February 7, 2019. Last updated December 28, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Homemade Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies have sweet chocolate chips and chewy salted caramel in every bite! These cookies are chewy in the center with crispy edges and so good, no one will be able to tell they are gluten free!

3 Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Close Up on a White Background

 This post contains affiliate links.  See our Disclosure Statement for more information.

This recipe for Gluten Free Salted Caramel Cookies is the first variation that I made using my basic Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies recipe. And, it just so happens to be my favorite, although they are all pretty amazing!

In the base recipe, I had mentioned that while creating a few varieties of dark chocolate cookies that were not gluten free, I felt a little bad that my gluten free fiancé couldn’t enjoy them with us. I decided to attempt to recreate that recipe into a gluten free version for him. It turned out that we all love them!

The only differences between this recipe and the base recipe for the dark chocolate cookies is that I use a gluten free all purpose flour (see the recipe notes for more information on what brands work best) and regular unsweetened cocoa rather than dark.

Why This Recipe Works

  • These homemade gluten free cookies taste just as delicious as a non-gluten free version.
  • The cookies come out of the oven soft in the center with crispy edges just as you’d expect any homemade cookie to be. They hold up perfectly!
  • The flavor combination of sweet chocolate and chewy salted caramel is just too delicious not to try!

How to Make Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep!

Make sure to set your butter out to come to room temperature about an hour before you begin baking. If your butter is too warm (if you microwave it to soften it this can happen) or too cold, the cookies may not turn out perfectly.

When you are ready to begin, preheat your oven to 350°F.

Create!

Dry ingredients for chocolate cookies in a silver bowl with a spoon on wood background

In a medium bowl, combine the gluten free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside.

Butter and sugar creamed together until smooth in a silver mixing bowl on a wood background

Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer. Cream together on medium speed until completely smooth.

Butter and sugar creamed together with the eggs and vanilla in a silver bowl with a green spatula on a wood background

Lower the speed and add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.

Gluten Free Chocolate Cookie dough in a silver mixing bowl on a wood background

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and caramel pieces.

Tip: to get cookies that look like the ones in the photos, leave some of the mix-ins to the side, then press them on top of the dough balls before putting them in the oven. 

Cookie dough with extra chips and caramel pieces pushed on top of them on a silpat baking mat

Drop by the tablespoon full about 2 inches apart on to a baking sheet.

Tip:  using a Silpat mat like the one pictured above not only helps keep cookies from sticking, but came in especially handy with this recipe because the melted caramel came right off as well!  

Bake 9-10 minutes until cooked through.

Present!

A single gluten free salted caramel cookie up close on a silpat mat

Sprinkle on the salt the salt, then allow to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to prevent breakage.

Tips & Techniques for the Best Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Set the butter out at least an hour before you begin baking to let it come to room temperature. If the butter is too warm (as it might be if you were to soften it using a microwave etc.) or too cold, the cookies may not turn out perfectly.
  • Don’t pack the flour into the measuring cup. Simply spoon it in and level off the top.
  • Using a Silpat mat helps keep the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet, but also made it easy to remove any melted caramel as well.
  • Be sure to allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. If you attempt to move them too soon, they may break. They “set-up” more as they cool.
  • The best caramel for this recipe is Kraft traditional caramels cut into smaller pieces (not the bits – they don’t melt). I have tried Werther’s soft caramels and even though they tasted really good, they melted way too much.
  • Store extra cookies in an air-tight container and use within a week for the best results.

FAQ’s

  • What is the best gluten free all purpose flour to use for baking cookies? I have made this recipe with both Pillsbury Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. I found that the cookies made with Pillsbury puffed up a little more, but broke a little easier. The cookies made with Bob’s Red Mill had more “crinkling” on top but held up a little better.
  • Can you freeze these gluten free cookies? Yes. You can roll out the dough ahead of time and store it in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to add a couple minutes to the bake time.  You can also freeze baked cookies on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag.

Other Recipes to Try

I have several more recipes for variations of gluten free chocolate cookies:

  • Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Gluten Free Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Cookie Recipe a base gluten free chocolate cookie recipe you can use as is or mix in whatever it you love!

Love this Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe?  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

3 Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Close Up on a White Background
Print

Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

These homemade Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies have sweet chocolate chips and chewy, salted caramel in every bite!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 36 cookies
Calories 146kcal
Author Lauren Vavala

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups gluten free all purpose flour * see notes
  • 3/4 Cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 Cups unsalted butter * softened
  • 2 Cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 Cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 Cup Kraft caramel squares * diced small (chip size)
  • kosher salt * or flake salt

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the gluten free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
  • Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer. Cream together on medium speed until completely smooth. Lower the speed and add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
  • Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
  • Stir in the chocolate chips and salted caramel pieces.
  • Drop by the tablespoon full about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet (I use a Silpat Mat to prevent sticking)
  • Bake 9-10 minutes until cooked through.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle on the salt.
  • Allow to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to prevent breakage

Notes

Tips & Techniques for the Best Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Set the butter out at least an hour before you begin baking to let it come to room temperature. If the butter is too warm (as it might be if you were to soften it using a microwave etc.) or too cold, the cookies may not turn out perfectly.
  • Don’t pack the flour into the measuring cup. Simply spoon it in and level off the top.
  • Using a Silpat mat helps keep the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet, but also made it easy to remove any melted caramel as well.
  • Be sure to allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. If you attempt to move them too soon, they may break. They “set-up” more as they cool.
  • The best caramel for this recipe is Kraft traditional caramels cut into smaller pieces (not the bits - they don't melt). I have tried Werther's soft caramels and even though they tasted really good, they melted way too much.
  • Store extra cookies in an air-tight container and use within a week for the best results.

FAQ's

  • What is the best gluten free all purpose flour to use for baking cookies? I have made this recipe with both Pillsbury Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. I found that the cookies made with Pillsbury puffed up a little more, but broke a little easier. The cookies made with Bob’s Red Mill had more “crinkling” on top but held up a little better.
  • Can you freeze these gluten free cookies? Yes. You can roll out the dough ahead of time and store it in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to add a couple minutes to the bake time.  You can also freeze baked cookies on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.6mg

This recipe was originally published on May 24, 2016. It was updated with new images and text in February 2019.

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Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Recipes

Comments

  1. Esther says

    November 9, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    I’m probably betraying my total noob-ness here, but how exactly do they get to be SALTED caramel? Is it just a matter of sprinkling a bit of salt over the cookie just before baking? Or maybe just out of the oven? Or do you incorporate the kosher salt at some other point in the process? Thanks, and I’m really looking forward to adding this to my Christmas baking this year!

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      November 9, 2020 at 8:22 pm

      Hi Esther! Yes, the “salted” portion of this recipe is adding flaked or Kosher salt as soon as the cookies come out of the oven – not before baking as the salt would just soak in and not be visible.
      I hope you enjoy them!!

      Reply
      • Esther says

        November 9, 2020 at 9:31 pm

        Thank you! I just figured that out in your directions right after I hit Submit. 😜 These just look so scrumptious.

        Reply
  2. KGambon says

    November 22, 2019 at 4:03 pm

    Hi! I just made these yesterday and they came out great except tasted a little grainy, If that makes any sense. I used King Arthur GF flour so I’m not sure if this is what caused that? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      November 22, 2019 at 6:37 pm

      Interesting. I’ve never had anyone say they’ve had that issues before. So, I did a little Google search and it seems like it could have been more from the sugar not dissolving fully rather than the flour. King Arthur’s is really good quality so I don’t think it would be the flour. Sorry, they didn’t turn out perfectly for you 🙁

      Reply
  3. Molly says

    March 16, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    Hello. Do how much kosher salt did you use? Also, did you use salted or unsalted butter for these? Thx.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 16, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      Oops sorry – just a tiny pinch per cookie. And unsalted butter – I’ll fix that – thanks!

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    March 16, 2019 at 7:27 pm

    How much kosher salt did you use?

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 16, 2019 at 8:15 pm

      I don’t really measure it. I just use a tiny pinch per cookie.

      Reply
  5. Jim says

    January 18, 2019 at 4:03 pm

    Hello, the way I read your recipe it’s one and a quarter cup butter for 2 cups of flour. that didn’t turn out too well. Is it just one quarter cup of butter? thanks

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 18, 2019 at 9:48 pm

      Hi Jim. It is 1 and 1/4 cups. However if the butter is too cold or too warm that may have affected the final results. Baking is so finicky. I’m actually retesting this recipe next week and will alter the recipe, if needed. The feedback I’ve gotten from this recipe, and a few others that use the same base, have not had this issue. So sorry!

      Reply
  6. Daniela says

    September 4, 2018 at 11:27 am

    Salted caramel and chocolate is a match made in heaven. And I absolutely love that these cookies are gluten free!

    Reply
  7. Mary Bostow says

    September 4, 2018 at 11:14 am

    This is a great idea, even for picky eaters! It is really impressive. Looks very tasty. Yum. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Julia says

    September 4, 2018 at 11:11 am

    My sister is also on a GF diet so I will be sending her this link! I’m sure she will love these cookies!

    Reply
  9. Traci says

    September 4, 2018 at 11:00 am

    Lauren, you had me at salted caramel, and I’m loving all the chocolate in these beauties! Looks like I need to try AP GF flour sometime too. Just pinned!

    Reply
  10. Edyta at Eating European says

    September 4, 2018 at 10:59 am

    These cookies look really gorgeous. I like your styling with caramel and chocolate chips exposed 🙂

    Reply
  11. Jamie says

    November 26, 2017 at 4:57 pm

    How did you get your chips and caramel on top of your cookies exposed like that to have it look so pretty? Not mix them into the batter like your directions?

    Also what caramel did you use? Does it turn hard after baking (melting) then cooling? Or is it chewy?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 26, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Hi Jamie! In the post between the last two photos, I explain that to get the cookies to look like the ones in the photos, I leave a little bit of the mix-ins aside and press them on top right before baking them 🙂 I usually use Kraft caramels and cut them into small pieces. They stay chewy after baking. I’m going to be trying prepackaged caramel bits in an upcoming recipe soon, but don’t know yet if they would work as good. Hope this helps – Lauren.

      Reply
      • Jamie says

        December 4, 2017 at 8:37 pm

        Thanks for your response! I know you posted this one a bit ago. Sorry, I saw that you stated how to have the same end result after I posted the comment.

        Really appreciate know what caramel you used. I used ‘caramel flavored chips’ and I think using what you used might taste a bit better.

        Thanks again so much!

        Reply
        • Lauren says

          December 8, 2017 at 8:01 pm

          You’re welcome 🙂

          Reply
  12. Alison says

    November 12, 2016 at 10:31 am

    Have you ever frozen the dough and made the cookies later? With the holidays coming, I’m curious if I can work ahead. 🙂

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      November 12, 2016 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Alison! I haven’t tried freezing this particular dough, but I think it would work as long as you let it come to room temperature before baking them 🙂

      Reply
  13. Maureen @Scoops of Joy says

    October 11, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    This looks so good! Will have to try your recipe soon 😀 Thank you for posting this.

    Reply
  14. Breanna says

    August 16, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    Omg, this looks so good! Can’t wait to try it

    Reply
  15. All THings Big and Small Blog says

    August 15, 2016 at 11:55 am

    These look absolutely delicious! I will have to try them out because I am always looking for easy gluten free desserts for my mother-in-law who is Celiac! Thanks for the inspiration and recipe!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 15, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      Awesome! I hope they work out and everyone enjoys them when you make them!

      Reply
  16. Allison Arnone says

    August 15, 2016 at 10:52 am

    I LOVE this combo! Dark chocolate PLUS salted caramel? I cannot imagine how good these are; need to try!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 15, 2016 at 4:02 pm

      Addictingly good! I didn’t use dark chocolate in the cookies pictured but have done it before as well and used it in the non-gluten free version 🙂 I think I like dark chocolate more than regular now!

      Reply
  17. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says

    August 13, 2016 at 2:20 am

    These look so great! And they’re GF! I’m not gluten-free, but I have some family members who are, so I love finding GF recipes. 🙂

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 14, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      Thanks Crystal! It’s always good to have a few GF recipes on hand just in case 🙂

      Reply
  18. Catherine Short says

    August 12, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    I love recipes that are easily converted to GF. I have several friends who are GF and it’s nice to not have to worry about several different flours!

    http://ashortblonde.com

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 12, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      Yes, the blends do make things so much easier! I’ve made cupcakes using a variety of flours and they were awesome, but now I had to buy 3 different flours and it gets expensive.

      Reply
  19. amanda rinehart says

    August 12, 2016 at 2:15 pm

    omg! Did you make this recipe JUST for me?! What an awesome recipe for fall, TOTALLY gonna try this!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 12, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      Yep! Just for you Amanda 😉

      Reply
  20. Steffanie says

    August 12, 2016 at 11:12 am

    These look perfect – like from a cookbook perfect haha! I also have to follow a gluten free diet and my husband is a huge sweets junkie, so I’m always trying new GF recipes to let us both enjoy yummy things. This clearly was a Must-Pin. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 12, 2016 at 7:59 pm

      Aww thank you! I was really happy with how these turned out 🙂

      Reply
  21. Emily says

    August 1, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    These look absolutely delectable! I also love using coconut, almond, oat, or spelt flour for gluten free options 🙂

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 1, 2016 at 9:45 pm

      I’ve made cupcakes once with a variety of flours, but usually take the easy way out and buy a blend. Once I have more time to work on the combo myself, I’m going to try to perfect my own version 🙂

      Reply
  22. Cait says

    July 18, 2016 at 11:20 pm

    Pinned! Those look SO good!

    – Cait | http://www.prettyandfun.com

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      July 19, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Thank you!!!

      Reply
  23. Christine Tatum says

    July 18, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    YUM!!! Salted caramel and chocolate! Woo-hoo! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      July 19, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Christine!

      Reply
  24. Megan Elgart says

    July 18, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    omg, these look SO good! always on the look out for good GF recipes!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      July 18, 2016 at 6:20 pm

      Thanks Megan!

      Reply
  25. Taylor Mobley says

    July 18, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    Those look INCREDIBLE. Salted carmel is my favorite!!!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      July 18, 2016 at 6:21 pm

      Thanks Taylor!

      Reply
  26. Anna @ Anna Can Do It! says

    July 18, 2016 at 9:24 am

    Oh my, these looks mouth-watering! Gorgeous pictures and great recipe! – Love, Anna

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      July 18, 2016 at 6:25 pm

      Thank you so much Anna!

      Reply
  27. Mary says

    June 13, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    These look delicious. I’ve never been one for gluten free, but I definitely want to have one of these!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      June 13, 2016 at 10:06 pm

      It’s nice when you can’t really tell the difference 🙂

      Reply
  28. Maggie Unzueta says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    Pinned to my “cookies” board. I have been craving cookies lately. Must get my son to help with a batch. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      June 13, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      Aww how nice to have a helper…mine starts to help then disappears until they are ready to eat!

      Reply
  29. Tamara Goyette says

    May 27, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    These do not look like a gluten free cookie at all, they look incredible.

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 28, 2016 at 8:43 am

      Thank You Tamara! I was really happy with how they came out – and surprised too!

      Reply
  30. Cassandra says

    May 27, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    These look so amazing! I need to try more GF baking.

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 28, 2016 at 8:44 am

      It’s not as bad as people think 🙂

      Reply
  31. Suzanne says

    May 27, 2016 at 9:28 am

    These look SO yummy! I’ve never met a cookie I didn’t like ????

    http://mykindofsweet.com

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:04 am

      Haha! Hope you like these too!

      Reply
  32. Jenn says

    May 26, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    These look so decadent. These would be a huge hit in our home! I will have to try these soon! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:02 am

      Hope you like them!

      Reply
  33. The Southern Thing says

    May 26, 2016 at 3:04 am

    These look heavenly!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:02 am

      Thank You!

      Reply
  34. Angelle Marix says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    Yummm!! I have to try these. So many of my family members can’t have gluten so these will be perfect.

    Xoxo,
    Angelle
    http://www.dashingdarlin.com

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:01 am

      My GF boyfriend loved them! Hope your family does too!

      Reply
  35. michelle mink says

    May 25, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    oh my yum these cookies look fabulous! i love the idea of salted caramel cookies

    Reply
  36. Allison - Celebrating Sweets says

    May 25, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    Yum! I love those little pieces of caramel

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:00 am

      I want caramel in every bite, but not too much, so I thought I’d chop it up and it worked out great!

      Reply
  37. Elise says

    May 25, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    I haven’t really explored a lot of gluten free recipes, but these look amazing! I would definitely give these a try.

    – Elise
    http://www.prettyandfun.com

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:00 am

      You could make them non-gf too, just use regular all purpose flour 🙂

      Reply
  38. Ashleigh says

    May 25, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    These cookies look great! I cook a lot of GF for all my GF friends, so I will have to try this recipe! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 26, 2016 at 10:21 pm

      you’re welcome! Hope everyone likes them!

      Reply
  39. Christine says

    May 25, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    You have just made my mouth water! I love everything about this. I am such a salted caramel chocolate girl. It doesn’t matter what it is I love it. These look fabulous by the way!!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 26, 2016 at 10:20 pm

      Thanks Christine! You def need a sweet tooth for these!

      Reply
  40. Olivia Kaye says

    May 25, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    SALTED CARAMEL EVERYTHING. Omg. This looks SO good. AND it’s gluten free… I’m in heaven.

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 26, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      Yay! It’s really good!

      Reply
  41. Candy says

    May 25, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Look really yummy course I love chocolate and Carmel

    Reply
  42. Uma Srinivas says

    May 24, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    These looks very yummy! These will be good treat to kids 🙂

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      May 24, 2016 at 9:34 pm

      My son sure liked them! Hope your kids do too!

      Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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