I absolutely love this Salted Honey Cookies Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty, with the warm hint of cinnamon tying everything together beautifully. When I first tried this recipe, I was surprised by how the honey adds just the right touch of natural sweetness without overpowering the cookie’s buttery richness. These cookies are fantastic for afternoon tea, sharing with friends, or just treating yourself when you want something comforting yet unique.
You’ll find that this recipe is not only delicious but also fairly straightforward to whip up, making it perfect for busy days when you crave homemade comfort. Plus, the sprinkle of fleur de sel on top brings that sophisticated bite that keeps my family coming back for more. Trust me, once you make these, this Salted Honey Cookies Recipe will become a staple in your cookie jar!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Sweet and Salty Combo: The fleur de sel perfectly balances the honey’s natural sweetness for a sophisticated flavor.
- Simple and Straightforward: Minimal ingredients and easy steps make this recipe approachable for all skill levels.
- Great Make-Ahead Option: Chilling the dough ahead helps control the cookie shape and makes baking day a breeze.
- Warm Comfort with a Twist: Cinnamon and honey together create a warming spice note that feels like a cozy hug in cookie form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient has a role in creating that irresistible texture and balanced flavor in this Salted Honey Cookies Recipe, so choosing quality items really pays off. From the honey bringing natural sweetness to the cinnamon adding warmth, these ingredients play nicely together to keep things interesting.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness perfectly – plus, softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Oil: Adds extra moisture and keeps the cookies soft and tender.
- Light brown sugar: Gives a lovely molasses hint that complements the honey and cinnamon.
- Honey: The star ingredient, providing natural sweetness and a unique flavor twist.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the cookie flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing structure.
- Baking soda: A little lift for the cookies so they don’t come out flat.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Adds that cozy, familiar warmth we love in baked goods.
- Fleur de sel: A finishing touch of flaky sea salt that makes these cookies unforgettable.
Variations
I love to personalize the Salted Honey Cookies Recipe here and there depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. You can easily add your twist without losing the soul of this cookie.
- Nutty Upgrade: Adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts gives an amazing crunch—my family went crazy when I first added them!
- Spiced Up: Try swapping cinnamon for a mix of cinnamon and ginger for a slightly spicier fall version.
- Gluten-Free Option: Using a gluten-free flour blend works well if you’re targeting specific dietary needs.
- Vegan Twist: Replace butter with coconut oil and use a flax egg to make these vegan-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
How to Make Salted Honey Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter, Oil, Brown Sugar, and Honey
Start by combining your unsalted butter, oil, brown sugar, and honey in a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. I like setting the speed to medium for about a minute, until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This is where your cookie gets a perfectly soft and rich base, so don’t rush! Scrape down the sides so everything comes together well.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla, Then Mix Dry Ingredients
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, stirring on low to just combine. This helps avoid over-mixing, which can lead to tougher cookies. Then, in goes the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir on low until all the dry ingredients are just incorporated, and fold in any stubborn bits with a spatula. Overworking the dough is a common mistake — I learned to stop as soon as it comes together.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Portion out your dough into tablespoon-sized rounds using a large cookie scoop or spoon onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover the entire sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour and a half. Chilling is crucial here — it helps the cookies hold their shape better and develop deeper flavors. Don’t skip this, or you may end up with spread-out, flaky cookies.
Step 4: Bake and Sprinkle with Fleur de Sel
When ready, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake half of the dough balls at a time on a fresh parchment-lined sheet, spacing them comfortably apart. Bake just until the edges set and start to brown, around 10 minutes. The centers will still be soft — don’t worry! As soon as they come out, sprinkle with a pinch of fleur de sel for that perfect salty crunch. Let them cool slightly before enjoying, but they’re honestly so good a little warm you might not last!
Pro Tips for Making Salted Honey Cookies Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I discovered this trick when chilling butter and oil separately, but room-temp butter blends best with sugar and honey for smooth dough.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing the dough too long leads to tough cookies; stir until just combined for tender, soft results.
- Chill, Don’t Skip: Refrigerate dough for at least 90 minutes to prevent spreading and intensify the honey’s flavor.
- Add Fleur de Sel Just After Baking: Sprinkling salt immediately after baking keeps its crunch and prevents it from melting into the cookie.
How to Serve Salted Honey Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually skip elaborate garnishes because the fleur de sel on top is already my favorite finishing touch — it adds these delightful little bursts of saltiness you wouldn’t believe! But for a bit of flair, a tiny drizzle of extra honey or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar can dress them up nicely for guests.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a hot cup of chai or coffee, which complements the cinnamon and honey beautifully. For a cozy afternoon, my family loves enjoying them alongside creamy vanilla ice cream or a warm glass of milk—simple but incredibly satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like stacking Salted Honey Cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of honey and sea salt for extra dipping fun. It not only looks inviting but invites your guests to play with flavors. You can also package them in pretty boxes with a sprig of cinnamon for gifting—always a crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, layering with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They’ll stay soft and chewier for up to 4 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked dough balls on the baking sheet first, then transfer them to a zipped bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This trick saves me when unexpected guests drop by or I want fresh cookies without the mess.
Reheating
To refresh leftover cookies, I pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 4-5 minutes. This warms them up, softens the edges, and revives that just-baked aroma. A quick microwave zap works too, but I prefer the oven method for texture.
FAQs
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What makes the Salted Honey Cookies Recipe different from other honey cookies?
What sets this Salted Honey Cookies Recipe apart is the use of fleur de sel sprinkled on the finished cookies, which creates a dynamic sweet-and-salty experience. And combined with warming cinnamon and brown sugar, these cookies have a rich complexity not found in typical honey cookie recipes.
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Can I substitute the fleur de sel with regular salt?
While you can use regular kosher salt in a pinch, fleur de sel’s flaky texture and delicate flavor enhance the cookie’s finish in a way table salt cannot. Its unique crunch is worth seeking out for this recipe, but if unavailable, just use a very light sprinkle of kosher salt.
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Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough is highly recommended because it helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and deepens the flavors. Skipping this step can result in flatter, greasier cookies that lack that soft yet set texture I love.
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. I’ve tried it myself, and as long as your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder, the cookies turn out wonderfully soft and flavorful.
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How long do Salted Honey Cookies last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about 4 days. For longer storage, freezing dough or baked cookies is a great option.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Honey Cookies Recipe has become one of my personal favorites because it’s that perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication. It’s a recipe I’m always happy to share with friends because it strikes that sweet spot between comforting and a little unexpected. If you want soft, buttery cookies with just a hint of salty sparkle and warm spice, you really need to give this a try—you’ll love how easy and delicious they are. Trust me, your cookie jar will thank you!
PrintSalted Honey Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 18–24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully sweet and salty, these Salted Honey Cookies combine the rich flavors of honey, cinnamon, and brown sugar with a hint of fleur de sel for a unique cookie experience. Soft and chewy with just the right touch of saltiness, they’re perfect for a cozy treat or sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Finishing
- Fleur de Sel, for sprinkling the tops of cookies
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the room temperature butter, oil, light brown sugar, and honey. Use a paddle attachment on medium speed and mix until the mixture is smooth and consistent, about 1 minute. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, stirring on low speed to combine well.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing. Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to the bowl. Stir the dough on low speed just until the ingredients are fully combined. Scrape the bowl again and gently fold in any remaining dry ingredients for an evenly mixed dough.
- Chill 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 prepared sheet. Once all dough balls are formed, cover the sheet pan and refrigerate for about 1 ½ hours until firm. This chilling step helps prevent spreading during baking and enhances flavor development.
- Preheat and Bake: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange just under half of the chilled cookie dough balls spaced evenly on a second parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and just beginning to brown.
- Finish and Cool: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, sprinkle each with a pinch of fleur de sel to enhance the salty-sweet balance. Allow cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. For best texture and flavor, let the cookies set up a bit before enjoying. Repeat the baking and finishing process with the remaining dough.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent cookies from spreading too much and to deepen the flavors.
- Using fleur de sel provides a subtle crunch and enhances the sweet and savory contrast.
- You can substitute vegetable oil or canola oil if preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a chewier texture, slightly underbake the cookies and allow them to finish setting on the baking sheet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (based on 24 cookies)
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 5.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg