The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
These Dulce De Leche Cookies are shortbread cookies sandwiched between a layer of luscious dulce de leche. They’re easy to make and made with just five ingredients!
These cookies cost approximately $6.24 to make. The recipe makes twelve servings for about $0.52 per serving.
Add these cookies to your cookie plate along with our Gingersnap Cookies, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, and Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies.
Dulce De Leche Cookies are buttery cookies with a rich, creamy, and sweet filling. They melt in your mouth and are perfect for holiday gifting.
The delicate cookies look fancy but are simple to make. This recipe is great because you will save time by using canned dulce de leche instead of making it from scratch.
We love the milky caramel center filling sandwiched between soft and delicate cookies. Make these impressive-looking cookies for your next holiday party or cookie trays for your friends and neighbors.
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 1 cup unsalted butter – $1.76
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.50
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar – $0.32
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – $0.18
- 13.4 oz can dulce de leche – $3.48
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Next, using a stand mixer, cream the butter, vanilla, and sugar until smooth.
- Then, slowly mix in the flour until the mixture becomes a slightly wet, sandy texture.
- Divide the cookie dough into twenty-four balls that are two tablespoons each.
- Bake the cookies eight at a time for thirteen minutes and let them cool for about forty-five minutes.
- Finally, put a spoonful of Dulce de Leche between a pair of cookies and serve.
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- You can easily switch out the store-bought dulce de leche for your favorite homemade recipe. You want to make sure you have about 14 ounces.
Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve these with a nice glass of milk or hot chocolate.
STORE: You can store these cookies for four days on the counter or in the fridge in an airtight container.
FREEZE: While we do not recommend freezing the cookies with the dulce de leche, you can freeze the shortbread cookies by themselves and then add the dulce de leche when ready to serve the cookies. Simply allow the cookies to thaw in the fridge before assembling.
Recipe FAQs
Caramel and Dulce de Leche are similar in taste but different in how they are made. Caramel is made with water and sugar. Dulce de Leche is made with milk and sugar. Dulce de Leche is thicker and creamier than caramel and makes the perfect filling for these shortbread cookies.
After using dulce de leche to make these cookies, you can then enjoy it spread on toast, brownies, on top of ice cream, on top of cheesecake, or even as an added layer on S’mores.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Have your child put the cookies into pairs, counting the cookies as they go.
Ages 4-5: Your child can help by pouring the ingredients into the bowl of the stand mixer. Teach your child how to turn the stand mixer on and off as they mix the various ingredients at the needed time.
Ages 6-8: Show your child how to put the dulce de leche between the pair of cookies, and then have your child do it on their own with the remaining cookies.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
For about $0.52 per cookie, you can make these without breaking the bank. You can even double the batch!
More Cookies
- Chocolate Mint Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookie Bars
- Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Cranberry Pistachio Cookie
- Christmas Brownie Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies
Dulce De Leche Cookies
Equipment
- stand mixer
- measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- baking sheet
- 2 Tablespoon scoop
Ingredients
SHORTBREAD DOUGH:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
- 14 oz can dulce de leche
Instructions
PREP OVEN:
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat it to 350 degrees F.
MAKE COOKIE DOUGH:
- In a stand mixer or using an electric mixer, combine the butter, vanilla, and sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Slowly incorporate the flour until the mixture resembles a slightly wet, sandy mixture.
- Divide the cookie dough into 24 balls the size of about two tablespoons.
BAKE AND COOL COOKIES:
- Bake the cookies 8 at a time for 13 minutes.
- Cool cookies completely, about 45 minutes.
FINISH COOKIES:
- Once the cookies have completely cooled, pair them together and place a spoonful of dulce de leche between each pair of cookies.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- It is important to allow the cookies to fully cool before removing them from the cookie sheet and adding the dulce de leche to prevent the cookies from crumbling.
- You can easily switch out the store-bought dulce de leche for your favorite homemade recipe. You just want to make sure you have about 14 ounces.
MJ says
These dulce de leche cookies are so tasty, and so much fun to make with the kids!
Mairead says
These cookies are decadent and delicious. The shortbread is just perfect and the dulce de leche is superb.
Ieva says
You totally speak my language with these cookies! I absolutely love them! The shortbread itself is deliciously buttery, but with sweet dulce de leche, these are now one of my favourite cookies ever! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Kate says
These decadent cookies are incredible! Love them.
Dannii says
These were amazing. I wish I had of made more as they went very quickly.