Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe

Sweet & Chewy Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe You’ll Adore

Sweet surprises often emerge from unexpected chocolate caramel combinations that spark culinary joy.

Creamy caramel ribbons weave through rich chocolate dough, creating irresistible swirls of decadence.

Crisp edges give way to soft, gooey centers that melt in your mouth.

Baking these cookies feels like crafting delicious magic in your kitchen.

Each bite promises a symphony of deep chocolate flavor and golden caramel whispers.

Comfort and indulgence dance together in this delightful treat that beckons you closer.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies That Hit All The Right Notes

Chocolate Caramel Cookies That Hit All The Right Notes
  • Delightfully Easy Indulgence: Quick-to-make chocolate caramel cookies that bring bakery-style magic right to your kitchen with minimal effort.
  • Quick Comfort Creation: These cookies require just one mixing bowl and simple ingredients, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions without complex techniques.
  • Irresistible Surprise Factor: Hidden caramel centers create a luxurious molten surprise that elevates these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary, delighting both kids and adults with each bite.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for casual family desserts, holiday gatherings, or weekend treat moments, these cookies adapt to any occasion while promising consistent deliciousness.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour, Cocoa Powder: Base of the cookie with rich chocolate flavor. All-purpose flour works best.
  • Baking Soda, Salt: Helps with cookie texture and enhances overall taste.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet base with deep caramel undertones. Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content.
  • Eggs, Vanilla Extract: Adds richness and depth of flavor. Fresh eggs recommended.
  • Buttermilk or Yogurt: Provides moisture and tender texture.
Filling and Topping:
  • Chocolate Chunks: Adds extra chocolate bursts. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate recommended.
  • Caramel: Soft center surprise inside the cookie. Use soft, chewy caramels.
  • Flaky Sea Salt: Enhances sweet-savory contrast. Sprinkle on top for gourmet touch.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies Baking Instructions

Chocolate Caramel Cookies Baking Instructions

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

This ensures a smooth, lump-free base for your delightful cookies.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugars

Using a mixer, cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and completely combined.

The texture should look smooth and almost cloud-like.

Step 3: Add Liquid Components

Introduce eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture.

Beat until everything blends seamlessly, creating a rich and glossy batter.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Gently fold in buttermilk or yogurt, stirring until just combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 5: Enhance with Chocolate

Fold in chopped chocolate chunks, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm up.

Step 6: Form Cookie Parcels

Scoop out medium-sized dough portions and flatten into disks.

Wrap each disk around a caramel center, creating little flavor-packed parcels.

Chill for an additional 15 minutes to help maintain shape.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Arrange cookie parcels two inches apart to allow proper spreading during baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Rotate the pan halfway through to ensure even browning.

Cookies should look slightly soft in the center.

Step 9: Final Touch

Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle cookies with flaky sea salt for a gourmet finish.

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

  • Refrigerate the dough twice to prevent spreading and enhance flavor concentration in your chocolate caramel cookies.
  • Completely encase the caramel inside the dough to prevent leaking during baking, ensuring a gooey center.
  • Sprinkle flaky sea salt immediately after baking to amplify the chocolate and caramel flavors and create a sophisticated taste profile.
  • Use buttermilk or yogurt to create a tender, soft cookie texture with enhanced richness and subtle tanginess.
  • Choose high-quality chocolate chunks for better melting and more intense chocolate flavor throughout the cookies.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies That Stay Soft After Storing

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
  • Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
  • Warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture and slightly melted caramel center.

Sweet Combos For Caramel Cookies

  • Pair with Creamy Espresso Martini: Create a luxurious cocktail blending rich espresso, smooth vodka, and coffee liqueur to complement the deep chocolate and caramel notes of the cookies.
  • Serve with Salted Caramel Ice Cream: Enhance the cookie’s flavor profile by pairing with a rich, velvety salted caramel ice cream that mirrors the dessert’s sweet and salty elements.
  • Match with Cold Brew Coffee: Select a smooth, chilled cold brew with hints of chocolate undertones to elevate the cookie’s intense chocolate and caramel complexity.
  • Accompany with Vanilla Bean Latte: Craft a smooth, creamy vanilla bean latte that provides a delicate contrast to the cookie’s rich, decadent texture and intense flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Caramel Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the texture remains similar to the original recipe.
  • Vegan Chocolate Caramel Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chunks for a plant-based version.
  • Nutty Chocolate Caramel Cookies: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the dough for extra crunch and a rich, nutty flavor profile that complements the chocolate and caramel.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Caramel Cookies: Use sugar alternatives like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and opt for dark chocolate with minimal added sugar to reduce overall sweetness.

FAQs

  • What makes the caramel center stay soft inside the cookie?

The caramel is carefully wrapped inside the cookie dough and baked at a controlled temperature, which helps it melt slightly but not completely, creating a gooey center.

  • Can I use different types of chocolate for the chunks?

Yes, you can use milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chunks depending on your preference. Just ensure they are roughly chopped to distribute evenly in the dough.

  • Why do I need to chill the dough twice?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking, allows flavors to develop, and makes the dough easier to handle when wrapping around the caramel.

  • How do I know the cookies are done baking?

The edges will look set and slightly cracked, while the center will still appear slightly soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

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Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent chocolate caramel cookies blend rich cocoa with silky caramel, creating a heavenly dessert that melts in your mouth. Each bite promises pure bliss, inviting you to savor sweet moments of pure chocolate paradise.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (285 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/3 cups (150 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk or plain yogurt

Mix-Ins & Filling:

  • 12 ounces (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped into chunks
  • 28 soft caramels (such as Kraft or Werthers)
  • Flaky sea salt, for topping

Instructions

  1. Sift cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt together in a spacious mixing vessel to create a uniform dry foundation for rich chocolate cookies.
  2. Utilize an electric mixer to thoroughly cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture transforms into a smooth, pale, and fluffy consistency.
  3. Introduce eggs and pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture, blending until fully integrated and achieving a silky texture.
  4. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring cautiously to prevent overmixing. Incorporate buttermilk or yogurt to enhance moisture and tenderness.
  5. Carefully fold chopped chocolate chunks throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution. Refrigerate the mixture for half an hour to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm.
  6. Extract chilled dough and form medium-sized spheres. Create a small indentation in each ball’s center, nestling a caramel within and completely encasing it.
  7. Return shaped cookies to the refrigerator for an additional 15-minute cooling period to maintain structural integrity during baking.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and arrange parchment paper on a baking sheet. Position cookie dough balls with sufficient spacing to prevent merging.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating the pan midway to ensure uniform browning and consistent texture.
  10. Immediately after removing from oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt across the warm surface to enhance flavor complexity.
  11. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

  • Chill the dough twice to ensure the cookies maintain their shape and prevent spreading during baking.
  • Use high-quality chocolate chunks and soft caramel candies for the best flavor and texture.
  • Flatten the dough balls gently to create a smooth surface that wraps evenly around the caramel center.
  • Sprinkle flaky sea salt right after baking to enhance the chocolate and caramel flavors, creating a delightful sweet-salty contrast.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg

Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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