Name: Salted Honey Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: PT-490202H7M58S
Cuisine: American
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; 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon; Fleur de Sel, for sprinkling on top

Jump to Recipe· 3.8 from 13 reviews

If you have a weakness for soft, chewy delights that taste like a warm hug, this Salted Honey Cookies Recipe is going to become your new obsession. These butter-rich cookies marry the natural sweetness of honey and brown sugar with a hint of cinnamon and a surprising sprinkle of sea salt that elevates every bite. The crinkled tops are irresistibly charming, and the texture is satisfyingly tender but satisfyingly chewy. Once you try baking these, they won’t last long on your counter—they’re pure comfort in cookie form.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a smooth, thick, light brown dough that has a slightly grainy texture. The dough fills most of the bowl with swirled patterns on the surface, showing that it has been mixed well but still holds some small clumps. The edges of the bowl show bits of dough stuck to the inside, indicating recent stirring. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Salted Honey Cookies Recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully to create layers of flavor and an inviting texture. Each component plays a vital role: the butter and oil keep the cookies tender and chewy, brown sugar and honey provide deep, rich sweetness, while cinnamon adds a cozy warmth and salt balances everything perfectly.

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature: Provides richness and a tender crumb to the cookies.
2 tablespoons oil: Adds moisture, ensuring the cookies stay chewy and soft.
1 cup light brown sugar: Brings a caramel-like sweetness and helps with the soft texture.
¼ cup honey: Infuses natural sweetness and moisture, plus a subtle floral aroma.
1 large egg: Acts as a binder and adds structure.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warmth and depth.
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together.
2 teaspoons baking soda: Gives the cookies a gentle lift and helps with spreading.
½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and brightens the flavors.
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon: Adds a warm spice note, perfect with honey and brown sugar.
Fleur de Sel, for sprinkling the tops of cookies: Provides an elegant crunch and stunning salt contrast on top.

How to Make Salted Honey Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Wet Ingredients

Start by combining the unsalted butter, oil, brown sugar, and honey in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about a minute until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step ensures your cookies will be perfectly tender. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix on low just until incorporated.

Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Once combined, gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Stir gently just until all the flour is incorporated—overmixing can lead to tougher cookies! Scrape down the sides of your bowl to fold in any stray bits of dough.

Step 3: Chilling the Dough

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a large cookie scoop or spoon, portion out rounds of dough about 3 tablespoons each onto the prepared sheet. Cover the sheet and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 ½ hours until firm. This chilling step is essential to develop flavor and helps prevent your cookies from spreading too much when baking.

Step 4: Baking to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place just under half of the chilled dough balls on a second parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and just beginning to brown. While the cookies are still warm, sprinkle a pinch of fleur de sel on each one—this finishing touch makes the combination of sweet and salty extraordinary. Bake the remaining dough in the same way. Allow the cookies to cool slightly for the best chewy texture before indulging.

How to Serve Salted Honey Cookies Recipe

A single round cookie with a golden brown color and a slightly cracked surface sits centered on a textured baking sheet with light brown patterns. The cookie has an uneven texture with visible sugar crystals sprinkled on top. The baking sheet beneath shows some baked-on spots and darker areas, adding a rustic look. The background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A little extra flair never hurts! While the fleur de sel on top is a fantastic garnish by itself, consider adding a light dusting of cinnamon sugar before serving. For a fun twist, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a sprinkling of toasted nuts on the side adds texture and richness to your presentation.

Side Dishes

Salted Honey Cookies pair wonderfully with warm beverages, making them an ideal treat alongside afternoon tea or a rich cup of coffee. For a more decadent occasion, serve with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, or even a dollop of whipped cream for sweetness and cool contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Looking to impress friends? Stack the cookies with thin layers of honey-flavored buttercream for an easy cookie sandwich. Alternatively, serve them on a beautiful wooden board with small bowls of honey, sea salt, and cinnamon sugar, inviting guests to customize their cookies for a fun interactive snack experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Salted Honey Cookies stay fresh for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To keep them chewy, place a slice of bread in the container—this little trick keeps moisture balanced and the texture soft.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls either before or after baking. For dough, wrap the portions tightly and freeze for up to 3 months; just bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies can be frozen in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferred to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To revive leftover cookies, warm them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their gooey texture without drying them out. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies too soft or chewy in an unpleasant way.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of honey for this recipe?

Absolutely! Different honeys will bring nuanced flavors—from floral varieties like orange blossom to more robust ones like buckwheat—experiment to find your favorite twist on the Salted Honey Cookies Recipe.

What if I don’t have fleur de sel?

If fleur de sel is unavailable, a sprinkle of coarse sea salt or kosher salt will also work beautifully to balance the sweetness and add that delightful salty crunch on top.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking. Just be sure to use one that contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for the best texture.

Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough solidifies the fats and allows the flavors to meld, preventing excessive spreading and ensuring the cookies bake with that perfect chewy texture and the iconic crinkle top.

How do I make smaller cookies?

Simply use a medium cookie scoop to portion 1 ½ tablespoon-sized rounds of dough and reduce the baking time to around 8 minutes. This makes bite-sized versions that bake up quickly and are perfectly snackable.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Honey Cookies Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, combining the best of sweet and salty with a lovely chewy texture that makes each bite feel like a little celebration. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just yourself (no judgment here), these cookies are a surefire way to brighten any day. So go ahead—whip up a batch, share the joy, and enjoy every wholesome, honey-kissed morsel!