**Caramel Cheesecake Cookies: Bake These Gooey-Centered Beauties!**

Craving a mashup of rich cheesecake, buttery cookies, and luscious caramel? These **Caramel Cheesecake Cookies** deliver it all! Soft, melt-in-your-mouth bases cradle sweet caramel centers for an irresistible treat. Perfect for parties, gifts, or *your* secret snack stash.

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### **Ingredients** *(Makes 18 cookies)*
– **Cookie Base**:
– 1½ cups all-purpose flour
– ½ tsp baking powder
– ¼ tsp salt
– ½ cup softened unsalted butter
– 4 oz softened cream cheese
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg yolk
– 1 tsp vanilla extract

– **Filling & Topping**:
– 18 soft caramel candies (*or ½ cup caramel bits*)
– Optional: Pinch of sea salt

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### **Instructions**
1. **Prep**: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy. Mix in egg yolk and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients. Chill dough 30 mins.
2. **Shape**: Roll dough into 1½-inch balls. Press a caramel into each center, sealing dough around it.
3. **Bake**: Place cookies 2 inches apart on parchment-lined trays. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 mins (*edges should be lightly golden*).
4. **Finish**: Sprinkle with sea salt; cool 10 mins before transferring.

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**Pro Tip**: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days (if they last that long!). The caramel stays gloriously gooey. Bake a batch today and watch them vanish! 🍪✨