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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Dulce de Leche Cookies

    Published: May 24, 2022 · Modified: May 18, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    This dulce de leche cookies recipe is a delicious treat everyone loves. A simple, sweet, soft cookie is topped with dulce de leche to create an absolutely divine caramel cookie treat.

    Closeup photo of Dulce de Leche Cookies stacked vertically on a wooden surface. The cookies are round in shape and beige colored. Dulce de Leche is placed in the center of the cookies. The topmost cookie is cut in half.

    Dulce de leche is the most decadent caramel you'll ever have, and if you love it as much as I do, you'll really enjoy this recipe. Dulce de leche is the star of the show!

    Dulce de Leche Cookies Recipe

    This was inspired by my other dulce de leche cupcake recipe on this site and pairs well with this amazing dalgona cloud coffee recipe.

    Ingredients

    It only takes a few basic baking ingredients to make this recipe. Outside of the dulce de leche, you probably have all of the ingredients in your kitchen already.

    • butter
    • vanilla extract
    • powdered sugar
    • all-purpose flour
    • salt
    • dulce de leche

    See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.

    Instructions

    Making these cookies couldn't be simpler. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps.

    Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

    Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla together. Then, add the powdered sugar and beat again until combined. Finally, add the flour and salt and beat until a smooth dough forms.

    Step 2: Prepare the Cookies for Baking

    Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Slightly flatten each ball and create a small divot in the center of each cookie with a teaspoon. Finally, fill the divots with dulce de leche.

    Step 3: Bake the Cookies

    Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 11 to 13 minutes until the bottoms are slightly browned. Then removes the cookies and place them on a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

    Hint: Don't overfill your divot when adding the dulce de leche. You don't want it to ooze over the edges while the cookies bake.

    Closeup photo of Dulce de Leche Cookies stacked vertically on a wooden surface. The cookies are round in shape and beige colored. Dulce de Leche is placed in the center of the cookies.

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this dulce de leche cookies recipe.

    • Caramel Sauce - If you don't have dulce de leche, you can use caramel sauce.
    • Butterscotch Sauce - You can use butterscotch in place of dulce de leche, as well.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this dulce de leche cookies recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Cayenne - Add a touch of cayenne to the dulce de leche to really set off the sweetness of the caramel. Don't add too much!
    • Chocolate Cookies - Add a ¼ cup of cocoa powder insead of flour to the cookie dough to make chocolate dulce de leche cookies.
    • Chocolate Sauce - Add a little chocolate sauce to the dulce de leche or a drizzle on top

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these Boston Cream Pie Cookie Bites, Stuffed Chocolate Cookie Cups or our easy no-bake cookies.

    Equipment

    You only need a handful of basic equipment to make these easy cookies.

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Hand mixer
    • Spoon
    • Baking sheet
    • Wire rack

    Storage

    Store these cookies at room temperature in a tightly covered container for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Tips

    I have a couple of tips to help you make these cookies as delicious as they can possibly be and save you some unwanted cleanup, as well.

    • Don't overcook these cookies. Remove them as soon as the bottoms start to brown and place them on a rack to cool immediately.
    • Add just enough dulce de leche to mostly - MOSTLY - fill your cookie divot. If you overfill the divot, you'll be cleaning burned caramel off of the bottom of your pan.
    Closeup overhead photo of a Dulce de Leche Cookie held by a spatula.

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about this dulce de leche cookies recipe? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about dulce de leche cookies.

    Is dulce de leche caramel?

    Sort of. Both caramel and dulce de leche are caramelized. Caramel, however, is made mostly of sugar, while dulce de leche is made mostly with milk and some sugar added.

    How long do these cookies last?

    They'll last for about a week at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze them for up to 3 months, as well.

    How do I freeze dulce de leche cookies?

    Place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and open-air freeze them. Then place them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.

    Dulce de Leche Cookies Video

    YouTube video

    More Caramel Recipes

    I know caramel isn't exactly dulce de leche, but it is similar. So here are some tasty caramel recipes that I think you're going to like.

    • Salted Caramel Milkshake
    • Air Fryer Apple Crisp with Caramel
    • Crock Pot Carrot Cake with Caramel Frosting

    Dulce de Leche Cookies

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Dulce de Leche Cookies

    Karin and Ken
    This dulce de leche cookies recipe is so easy and so sweetly delicious. A simple, sweet cookie base is topped with rich dulce de leche.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 15 coookies
    Calories 68 kcal

    Equipment

    • rimmed baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 tablespoon butter softened
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup dulce de leche
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
    • Get out and measure your ingredients.
      Overhead photo of all the ingredients needed to make Dulce de Leche Cookies.
    • In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and vanilla together.
      Butter and vanilla in a large bowl to be mixed.
    • Add powdered sugar and beat again.
      Powdered sugar added to the large mixing bowl to be mixed.
    • Add flour and salt.
      Flour and salt added to the large mixing bowl.
    • Beat until smooth dough forms.
      Cookie dough mixed in a large mixing bowl.
    • Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a greased cookie sheet.
      Dough rolled into 1 inch balls.
    • Slightly flatten each ball of dough. I usually use a glass with a flat bottom to do this.
      Dough balls placed on a greased cookie sheet. The dough balls have been slightly flattened.
    • Using a teaspoon measuring spoon press into the center of each cookie.
      A measuring spoon is used to create a small divot in the center of each cookie.
    • Create a small divot in the center of each cookie.
      The small divot has been formed in the center of each cookie.
    • Using a spoon, fill the divot with dulce de leche. Do not overfill.
      A spoon is used to fill the divots with Dulce de Leche.
    • Fill each cookie.
      Uncooked Dulce de Leche Cookies on a baking sheet and ready for the oven.
    • Bake cookies for 11-13 minutes
      Closeup photo of Dulce de Leche Cookies baked for 11 to 13 minutes.
    • or until bottoms are slightly browned.
      Overhead photo of cooked Dulce de Leche Cookies on a baking sheet. The Dulce de Leche in the center has melted.
    • Dulce de Leche is melted flat. Rest cookies on pan for 5 minutes.
      Closeup photo of Dulce de Leche Cookies on a baking sheet.
    • Remove from pan and serve.
      Closeup photo of a Dulce de Leche Cookie on a spatula.
    • Enjoy!
      Closeup photo of Dulce de Leche Cookies stacked vertically on a wooden surface.
    • Every bite!
      Closeup photo of Dulce de Leche Cookies stacked vertically on a wooden surface. The topmost cookie has been half eaten.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 88mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 17IUCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword dulce de leche cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

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