If you have a sweet tooth and love a perfect balance of flavors, this Salted Honey Cookies Recipe is going to become your new favorite. These cookies bring together the rich warmth of cinnamon, the deep sweetness of honey, and a subtle hint of salt that elevates every bite. The result is a soft yet slightly chewy cookie with a beautiful golden color and irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon treat or to impress your friends at a gathering, these salted honey cookies will quickly win hearts and requests for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated by the list—each ingredient here plays an essential role in making these cookies irresistibly delicious and uniquely textured. From the smoothness of butter to the gentle spice of cinnamon, every element contributes to the perfect harmony of this recipe.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- 2 tablespoons oil: Adds moisture and keeps the cookies soft even after cooling.
- 1 cup light brown sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and helps with slight chewiness.
- ¼ cup honey: Infuses natural sweetness and adds a lovely floral undertone.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm sweetness.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing body and texture.
- 2 teaspoons baking soda: Helps cookies rise and spread just right.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts the flavors.
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon: Adds a warming spice note that complements the honey beautifully.
- Fleur de Sel, for sprinkling: A delicate finishing touch to enhance both taste and visual appeal.
How to Make Salted Honey Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Start by blending the butter, oil, brown sugar, and honey in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Use medium speed with a paddle attachment to create a smooth, creamy base—it should take about a minute. This step ensures the sugar dissolves slightly into the fats, making for a luxurious texture. Then add your egg and vanilla and mix on low just until incorporated, giving your dough that essential richness and aroma.
Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients
Once your wet ingredients are ready, scrape the sides of the bowl then carefully add the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir gently on low speed just until everything comes together—overmixing can make cookies tough, so be gentle. After mixing, fold with a spatula any leftover dry ingredients, making sure the dough is uniform but not overworked.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
For best results, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop your cookie dough into generous 3-tablespoon rounds. Refrigerate these dough balls on the sheet, covered, for about 1 ½ hours. This chilling step helps develop flavors and solidifies the fat, so your cookies bake up with the perfect shape and texture.
Step 4: Bake and Finish
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit while you prepare your baking sheets. Place just under half of the dough balls spaced apart on parchment-lined trays and bake for about 10 minutes. You want the edges to be just set and starting to brown lightly. Immediately after removing them from the oven, sprinkle fleur de sel on each cookie top—this salty crunch is what really transforms the experience. Let cookies cool slightly before enjoying their full flavor and texture.
How to Serve Salted Honey Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fleur de sel is the classic finishing touch, but you can also try a light dusting of powdered sugar for a hint of sweetness contrast or a tiny drizzle of melted dark chocolate for an extra-special flair. These simple ideas take presentation to the next level and enhance the taste profile beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cup of freshly brewed chamomile or black tea to complement their warm cinnamon and honey flavors. They also pair wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or a scoop of whipped cream for a simple yet delightful dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, place Salted Honey Cookies on a rustic wooden board with clusters of fresh berries and nuts. Or sandwich two cookies together with honey buttercream or cream cheese frosting for a playful twist. These ideas make the cookies not just a snack but a centerpiece for your dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies keep well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This method preserves their soft texture and allows the flavors to meld even more wonderfully.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls before baking or store baked cookies in a freezer-safe container. Pops of that honey and cinnamon flavor hold up beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy them warm, pop the cookies in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This quick reheating revives their soft center while keeping edges delightfully crisp.
FAQs
Can I use regular salt instead of fleur de sel?
While regular salt can be used, fleur de sel provides a delicate texture and subtle briny flavor that enhances the cookies in a special way. If substituting, use a finer sprinkle to avoid overpowering the sweetness.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it’s a blend suited for baking to maintain the right texture and adjust any additional leavening if needed.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling your dough as instructed is key. Cold dough slows the spreading process in the oven, helping the cookies keep their thick and chewy qualities.
Can I substitute honey with another sweetener?
Honey is central to the flavor in this recipe, but you could try maple syrup or agave nectar as alternatives. The taste will shift slightly, but the moist texture will remain lovely.
Are these cookies suitable for gifting?
Absolutely! Packaged in a pretty tin or wrapped with parchment and twine, Salted Honey Cookies Recipe makes a thoughtful, delicious homemade gift that will brighten anyone’s day.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Salted Honey Cookies Recipe a try soon because it has all the elements of an unforgettable cookie that feels like a warm hug in every bite. The blend of honey’s sweetness, cinnamon’s warmth, and that special salt finish creates something truly magical. Once you taste them fresh from your oven, you’ll find yourself coming back for more and sharing with everyone you know.
Print
Salted Honey Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 18-24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Salted Honey Cookies, a perfect blend of sweetness and warm spices balanced with a touch of sea salt. Soft and chewy, these cookies combine brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon for a rich flavor, complemented by a subtle crunch from a sprinkle of fleur de sel on top. Ideal for a comforting treat or sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
Topping
- Fleur de Sel, for sprinkling the tops of cookies
Instructions
- Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the room temperature butter, oil, light brown sugar, and honey. Mix on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and consistent, about 1 minute.
- Add egg and vanilla. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract on low speed just to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are blended.
- Incorporate dry ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to the bowl. Stir on low speed just until all ingredients are combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl again and gently fold in any remaining dry ingredients by hand to fully incorporate.
- Refrigerate the dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a large cookie scoop or spoon, portion out 3 tablespoon-sized rounds of dough onto the sheet. Cover the tray and refrigerate for about 1 ½ hours until the dough is firm and chilled.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a second baking sheet with parchment paper for baking.
- Bake cookies. Place just under half of the chilled cookie dough balls spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the edges are set and just starting to brown.
- Finish and cool. Immediately sprinkle the freshly baked cookies with a pinch of fleur de sel while still warm. Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Repeat the baking process with the remaining dough. Cookies are best enjoyed after they set up slightly.
Notes
- For best texture, make sure the dough is well chilled before baking.
- Use fleur de sel or any flaky sea salt for the topping to add a delicate salty crunch.
- The cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If you prefer a softer cookie, reduce baking time slightly, keeping an eye on browning edges.
