Dessert

Sweet and Salty Pickle Cookies Recipe

ByRafael Mansero February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

Introduction

Sweet and Salty Pickle Cookies offer an unexpected twist on traditional cookies with a delightful blend of tangy pickle flavor and classic sweetness. These unique treats balance savory and sweet for a cookie experience you won’t forget.

The image shows a close-up of a single cookie on a white marbled surface. The cookie has a light golden-brown color with a cracked, slightly rough texture on the surface. It contains three visible chunks of caramel or butterscotch embedded in the dough, each chunk being shiny and amber-colored. A piece of the cookie is broken off and placed near it, revealing a soft, crumbly inside texture that matches the cookie’s outer color. The photo has natural lighting that highlights the cookie’s softness and the sticky texture of the caramel chunks. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup pickle juice (from the jar!)
1/2 cup chopped dill pickles (small pieces work best)
Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Extra pickle slices for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4: Stir in the pickle juice. It may look a little separated at first but will come together once you add the dry ingredients.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Step 6: Gently fold in the chopped pickles, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
Step 7: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
Step 8: Optionally, lightly press a pickle slice into the center of each dough ball for garnish, then sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of coarse sea salt.
Step 9: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set.
Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

Use small dice for the pickles to ensure an even distribution and no overly large chunks in the cookies.
Substitute dill pickles with bread-and-butter pickles for a sweeter variation.
Add a handful of white chocolate chips to balance the tanginess with creamy sweetness.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to enjoy a warm, soft cookie.

How to Serve

A dark baking tray lined with gray parchment paper holds fifteen evenly spaced dough balls, each about the size of a golf ball, pale beige in color with small green pieces mixed in. The dough balls have a rough texture, indicating they are unbaked. Coarse white salt crystals are sprinkled around some of the dough balls on the parchment. A pair of silver measuring spoons, one filled with coarse salt, lies on the right side of the tray. In the top left corner, a small white bowl filled with coarse salt sits on a white marbled surface. A beige cloth napkin is partially visible under the bottom left corner of the tray. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Will the pickle juice make the cookies soggy?

No, the pickle juice is balanced with the dry ingredients and butter, ensuring the dough retains its proper texture. The juice adds flavor without making the cookies soggy.

Can I use a different type of pickle?

Yes, dill pickles are recommended for their flavor, but you can experiment with other pickles like bread-and-butter for a sweeter twist. Just adjust the amount of added sugar if needed.