If you’re on the hunt for a treat that’s utterly addictive and ridiculously easy to whip up, this Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies Recipe is a total game-changer. I absolutely love how these little sandwiches marry buttery, crispy Ritz crackers with gooey caramel and a smooth chocolate coating, sprinkled with just the right touch of sea salt. It’s like a party of textures and flavors in every bite — trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and Salty Magic: The combo of caramel, chocolate, and sea salt hits all the crave-worthy notes.
- Quick and Simple: You’ll have these cookies ready in about an hour with minimal effort.
- Fun to Make: Perfect for baking with kids or as an easy party treat that everyone raves about.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these whenever I bring them out – they’re always the first to disappear!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully — the Ritz crackers bring that buttery crunch, while the caramel adds melt-in-your-mouth sweetness, and the chocolate almond bark perfectly coats everything with rich flavor. I always look for good quality caramel and chocolate almond bark to get that perfect melt and smooth finish.
- Soft caramels: Use individually wrapped caramels for ease and consistent melting.
- Heavy cream: This helps create that luscious, smooth caramel filling.
- Ritz crackers: Their salty and buttery crunch is essential—don’t substitute with other crackers for this recipe.
- Chocolate almond bark: Melts easily and sets nicely, giving a smooth chocolate shell.
- Sea salt (or sprinkles): Adds the perfect contrasting touch to the sweetness—don’t skip it!
Variations
I love experimenting with this Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies Recipe to fit different tastes or occasions—sometimes I swap toppings or add little twists to keep things fresh. Feel free to make it your own!
- Classic with Pecans: Adding chopped toasted pecans between the crackers with the caramel gives a delightful crunch that my family can’t get enough of.
- Dairy-Free Version: You can replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free chocolate to make these allergen-friendly without losing the magic.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of cayenne or chili powder in the chocolate coating creates an unexpected but amazing contrast that’s surprisingly addictive.
- Seasonal Twists: Try sprinkling crushed peppermint during the holidays or a dash of cinnamon sugar for cozy fall vibes.
How to Make Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Smooth Caramel Filling
Start by placing your soft caramels and heavy cream in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir. This is key—stirring breaks up the caramel and helps it melt evenly. Keep microwaving in 20-second bursts, stirring thoroughly after each one, until the caramel is smooth and glossy. Don’t rush this part or you might end up with clumps—patience is your friend! Once melted, let it cool for about 5 minutes so it thickens slightly and won’t ooze out the sides when you assemble.
Step 2: Assemble the Ritz and Caramel Sandwiches
Lay out half of the Ritz crackers on a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. Using a teaspoon or small spoon, place about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the caramel onto each cracker—that’s just enough to cover the surface without spilling over the edges. Then, gently top each one with another Ritz cracker to make a sandwich. Try pressing gently to spread the caramel evenly but avoid squishing too hard. Pop the tray into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up the caramel before dipping.
Step 3: Dip in Melted Chocolate Almond Bark
While the sandwiches chill, melt your chocolate almond bark according to package directions—usually a microwave or double boiler works perfectly. One at a time, dip each caramel sandwich into the chocolate, tilting to coat fully. Give a few gentle shakes to remove excess chocolate, then place back on the lined baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle with sea salt on top; this adds a little crunch and makes those flavors pop. Let them sit until the chocolate hardens, about 15-20 minutes at room temperature or a quicker set in the fridge.
Pro Tips for Making Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies Recipe
- Even Melting: Stir your caramel frequently to avoid scorching and ensure a smooth, velvety texture.
- Chill Time is Key: Don’t skip refrigerating the sandwiches before dipping—the caramel needs to firm up or it’ll get messy.
- Use a Fork for Dipping: I find dipping with a fork helps coat evenly while letting excess chocolate drip off nicely.
- Seal the Deal: Warm the chocolate almond bark gently—overheating makes it grainy and harder to work with.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle flaky sea salt right after dipping — it enhances the salted caramel vibe perfectly. If I’m feeling fancy, a little crushed pretzel or festive colored sprinkles adds a fun touch without overpowering the flavors.
Side Dishes
These cookies are great on their own but if serving at a party, I love pairing them with a warm cup of coffee or a creamy latte. They also go surprisingly well alongside fresh berries or a light fruit salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or special occasions, I arrange these cookies on a pretty tiered dessert stand or wrapped individually in cellophane bags tied with a ribbon. They make fantastic homemade gifts — everyone appreciates the sweet and salty combo!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once set, I store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the caramel firm and the chocolate shiny. They stay fresh for about a week this way—though they usually don’t last that long at my house!
Freezing
If you want to freeze them, place the cookies in a single layer on a tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper layers to keep them from sticking. They freeze well for up to 2 months and thaw quickly in the fridge.
Reheating
I prefer enjoying these chilled, but if you want the chocolate a bit softer, leave them at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving or warming too much, because the caramel will get gooey and could leak out.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of soft caramels?
You could, but soft caramels melted with heavy cream give a thicker consistency that’s easier to spread and less runny than many store-bought sauces. If you do use sauce, chill the filled crackers longer before assembling to help it firm up.
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What’s the best way to melt chocolate almond bark?
I find melting it in the microwave in short 30-second bursts, stirring in between, works best to prevent scorching. Alternatively, use a double boiler for more control. Just take care not to let water get into the chocolate—it’ll seize and become grainy.
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
The traditional Ritz crackers contain gluten, so you’ll need a gluten-free buttery cracker alternative that holds firm for sandwiches. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so just swap accordingly.
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How do I prevent the caramel from oozing out when dipping?
Chilling the assembled caramel sandwiches for at least 30 minutes (or longer if you can) before dipping is essential — it firms up the caramel, making it less likely to leak when coated in chocolate.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to easy treats for gifting, parties, or just a spontaneous sweet fix. I love how it combines simple pantry ingredients into something that feels surprisingly fancy and indulgent without a ton of work. Give it a try—you’ll see why my family keeps asking me to make them again and again!
Print
Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies (30 servings)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Salted Caramel Ritz Cracker Cookies are an irresistible sweet and salty treat featuring buttery Ritz crackers sandwiched with smooth, creamy caramel, then dipped in a rich chocolate almond bark coating and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Caramel Mixture
- 20 soft caramels
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Cookies
- Approximately 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (~60 Ritz crackers)
Chocolate Coating
- 24 ounces chocolate almond bark
- Sea salt (or sprinkles), for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Caramel: Place the soft caramels and heavy cream into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir well. Continue microwaving in 20-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each, until the caramel mixture is completely smooth. Set aside to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Assemble the Ritz Sandwiches: Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Arrange half of the Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers) evenly on the sheet. Spoon about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the cooled caramel onto each cracker, spreading just enough to cover without spilling over the edges. Top each caramel-coated cracker with another Ritz cracker to form sandwiches.
- Chill the Sandwiches: Place the baking sheet with assembled cracker sandwiches into the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the caramel to set.
- Melt the Almond Bark: Melt the 24 ounces of chocolate almond bark according to the package instructions, making sure it’s smooth and ready for dipping.
- Dip and Coat: Remove the chilled Ritz cracker sandwiches from the refrigerator. Dip each sandwich into the melted chocolate almond bark, making sure to coat them fully. Shake off excess chocolate and place them back onto the lined baking sheet.
- Add the Finishing Touch: Immediately sprinkle sea salt or decorative sprinkles over each coated cookie before the chocolate sets, adding a perfect salty contrast and visually appealing finish.
- Set and Serve: Allow the almond bark to cool and harden completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving. Enjoy your delicious salted caramel Ritz cracker cookies!
Notes
- These Ritz Cracker Cookies combine salty, buttery crackers with creamy caramel and rich chocolate, making them an ideal sweet-and-salty snack or dessert.
- Be careful not to use too much caramel to prevent it from oozing out of the sandwiches.
- If you prefer a different saltiness level, adjust the amount of sea salt sprinkled on top to your taste.
- You can use milk or dark chocolate almond bark depending on your preference for chocolate intensity.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 178 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
