Gochujang Caramel Cookies

Close up of a gochujang cookie with more in the background.

These spicy sugar cookies are based off Eric Kim's NYT cookie recipe. I updated the HOW to make these to make them easier to make and clarified some instructions.

4.77 from 52 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Asian

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 11

Chill Time: 10

Total Time: 31

Servings: cookies

Calories: 128kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

For the "caramel:"

2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
1/4 cup brown sugar packed
2 tablespoons gochujang paste

For the cookie dough:

14 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups flour

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix the caramel ingredients together with a fork until uniform, then set aside.
1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons gochujang paste, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
In a mixing bowl, beat together remaining butter and granulated sugar until lightened in color and texture. Add eggs and vanilla and beat again until fully incorporated.
2 cups granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
Add salt, cinnamon, and baking soda, then mix well.
1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking soda
Add flour and gently mix by hand or on low speed just until flour mixes in.
3 cups flour
Refrigerate dough 10-15 minutes.
While dough chills, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with silpats or parchment paper.
Once chilled, remove dough from fridge and add gochujang caramel to cookie dough in dollops. Use a stiff spatula to gently swirl the caramel into wide ribbons in the dough, using a C shaped stir, then turning the bowl and repeating. Do not overmix.
Use a regular size cookie scoop to add 8 cookies per sheet. Make four rows of two, offset on the sheet.
Bake cookies for 11-13 minutes until cracks appear on tops of cookies. Let cool on cookie sheets at least 5 minutes, then move to cooling rack.
Store in airtight containers on your counter up to three days, with layers separated by parchment paper.

Equipment

Parchment Paper for Baking

Silpat

Medium Cookie Scoop

Notes

You can find gochujang paste at some grocery stores or in Korean grocery stores or online. There are 5 spice levels, so choose the right one for you. I prefer level 2 (slightly spicy) or 3 (medium hot).
You can cut this recipe in half to make fewer cookies, but they do not last here, so go ahead and make them all.
For more tips and tricks, be sure to read the full article above.

Nutrition

This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.