No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies

No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies are the ultimate quick treat when you crave something sweet and gooey but do not want to turn on the oven. They deliver all the rich flavors of toffee chocolate and caramel in one bite with only a few minutes of work and no fancy equipment required. These cookies have rescued me during last-minute bake sale panics and movie nights when I wanted a dessert in record time.

Ingredients

• Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and combines with the butter and milk to create a chewy fudge-like base choose cane sugar for best flavor
• Butter: Provides richness and helps hold the cookies together try to use real butter rather than margarine for a silkier result
• Evaporated milk: Makes the cookies creamy and helps everything meld together look for full-fat cans for a thicker texture
• Instant butterscotch pudding mix: Adds deep caramel flavor and helps the no bake cookies set pick a recognized brand for smooth texture
• Quick oats: Offer chewiness and bind everything together check for fresh oats not stale or dusty
• Salt: A little brings out the caramel flavor use flaky or fine sea salt for the best finish
• Semi sweet chocolate chips: Add pockets of chocolate for contrast chill in the freezer for a few minutes to prevent over melting
• Toffee chips: Give buttery caramel crunch and that classic salted caramel bite look for fresh toffee pieces without a white bloom

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Ingredients and Baking Sheet:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper this prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy Measure the oats so you are ready for quick mixing and pop the chocolate chips in the freezer to firm them up

Make the Sugar Mixture:

Combine sugar butter a pinch of salt and evaporated milk in a medium saucepan Use medium heat and stir often Until it reaches a full rolling boil continue stirring Then boil it for a full thirty seconds to get the chewy texture right

Mix in Oats and Pudding Mix:

Remove the pan from the heat Add the measured quick oats and the instant pudding mix to the hot syrup mixture Stir swiftly and thoroughly making sure all the oats are coated Let it cool for a few minutes until it feels just warm not hot

Add Chocolate Chips and Toffee Chips:

Add the chilled chocolate chips and toffee bits to the mixture Stir gently and briefly If you stir too much or while the mixture is too hot the chocolate chips will melt completely rather than staying in little pools

Scoop and Shape Cookies:

Use a spoon or a cookie scoop to drop heaping rounds of the mixture onto your lined baking sheet Work quickly while the mixture is still easy to handle but not hot enough to melt the chips completely Sprinkle each mound with a tiny pinch of sea salt if you like

Let Cookies Sit and Set:

Allow them to rest at room temperature for at least fifteen to thirty minutes This helps the cookies firm up and lets the flavors meld Check they are firm before moving to a serving tray

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Storage Tips

Let the cookies cool and set completely before storing Place them in a single layer or with parchment between layers to prevent sticking An airtight tin keeps them perfect for up to five days Store in the refrigerator if your kitchen is very warm

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap the butterscotch pudding for vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix for a slight flavor twist Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy free version and non dairy milk if needed If you lack toffee chips use extra chocolate or chopped nuts

Serving Suggestions

Perfect with a tall glass of milk or crumbled over ice cream for a decadent sundae You can even cut them into smaller bites for snack platters or lunchboxes I sometimes make half a batch just for a movie night treat

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Cultural or Historical Context

No bake cookies like these have been a staple in American kitchens for decades Popular for their speed and lack of oven use they were handed down during summer months or when ovens were precious resources This salted caramel twist is a modern flavor spin on those retro treats

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I substitute another pudding flavor?

Butterscotch pudding provides caramel flavor, but vanilla or caramel pudding are suitable alternatives to adjust taste.

→ Why should I freeze the chocolate chips?

Chilling the chips prevents them from melting completely, helping small chocolate chunks remain in each cookie.

→ How do I store these cookies?

Once set, keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for best texture.

→ Are these gluten free?

Use certified gluten-free oats and double-check other ingredient labels if you require a gluten-free option.

→ What adds the salted caramel flavor?

Salted butter, butterscotch pudding, toffee chips, and a sprinkle of sea salt create rich caramel notes.