Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

Irresistibly Gooey Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

Baking these delightful salted caramel cookies will transport you to a world of sweet and salty bliss.

Crisp edges give way to a gooey center that melts in your mouth.

Each golden-brown morsel carries a rich caramel complexity balanced by a whisper of sea salt.

Butter plays a magical role in creating depth and smoothness throughout the dough.

Soft yet crisp textures dance together, promising an irresistible treat for anyone who loves indulgent desserts.

chocolate chips can join the party, adding extra decadence to these incredible cookies.

You’ll want to share these with everyone – but might just keep them all for yourself.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Taste Like a Bakery Classic

  • Savor Quick Satisfaction: These salted caramel chocolate cookies deliver delicious results in just 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for sudden sweet cravings.
  • Minimal Kitchen Skills Required: Beginners can easily master this recipe with simple mixing and baking techniques, making it an approachable dessert for home bakers of all experience levels.
  • Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of chocolate chips, caramel bits, and sea salt creates an irresistible flavor profile that appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring everyone at the table will be delighted.
  • Versatile Occasion Treat: These cookies work wonderfully for casual gatherings, potlucks, afternoon tea, or as a comforting homemade dessert that can be enjoyed any time of day.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Ingredient Guide

Main Ingredients:
  • Flour: Core dry ingredient that creates cookie structure and provides soft texture. Best to use all-purpose flour for consistent results.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking. Fresh baking soda ensures proper leavening.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Use fine table salt or kosher salt.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to soft, chewy cookie texture. Dark brown sugar offers deeper caramel notes.
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create tender cookie crumb. Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content.
  • Eggs, Vanilla Extract: Eggs bind ingredients and provide structure. Vanilla extract adds depth and aromatic warmth. Use pure vanilla extract for best flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips, Caramel Bits: Create pockets of rich chocolate and sweet caramel throughout cookies. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work best.
Finishing Touch:
  • Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance sweet-savory flavor profile. Flaky sea salt provides best texture and visual appeal.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Gourmet Baking Method

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).

Grab a baking sheet and blanket it with parchment paper or a silicone mat for the perfect non-stick surface.

Step 2: Whip Up the Dough Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and transform butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture.

This should take about 2-3 minutes of vigorous mixing.

Crack in the eggs and splash of vanilla extract, blending until smooth and gorgeous.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, playfully whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Gently marry these dry ingredients with your wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

No overmixing allowed!

Step 4: Introduce Chocolate and Caramel Treasures

Tenderly fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Caramel bits

Let these delectable morsels dance through the dough.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Dreams

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create perfectly rounded dough balls.

Nestle them on the baking sheet, giving each cookie about 2 inches of personal space.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

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

Look for golden brown edges with centers that still whisper softness.

Step 7: Sprinkle the Magic Finish

The moment cookies emerge from the oven, crown each with a delicate pinch of sea salt.

Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Dive into Deliciousness

Serve alongside a cool glass of milk or savor these cookies in pure, unadulterated bliss.

  • Use a larger or smaller cookie scoop to adjust the size, ensuring consistent baking and texture for personalized treats.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
  • Freeze caramel bits briefly before adding to the dough to prevent melting and distribute them more evenly throughout the cookies.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, placing a piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent them from drying out.
  • Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a delicious version for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, gooey texture.
  • Keep cookies at room temperature for maximum flavor and softness, consuming within 2-3 days for the best taste and texture.

Sweet Matches for Salted Caramel Cookies

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Match the rich chocolate and caramel flavors with a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which complements the cookie's decadent sweetness and enhances the deep chocolate notes.
  • Create a Creamy Milk Companion: Serve alongside cold, whole milk or a creamy vanilla bean milkshake to balance the cookie's intense saltiness and provide a smooth, refreshing contrast.
  • Elevate with Espresso Twist: Enjoy with a shot of dark espresso or cappuccino, where the coffee's bitter undertones will beautifully cut through the cookie's sweetness and highlight its complex flavor profile.
  • Design a Caramel Liqueur Pairing: Sip on a smooth caramel-based liqueur like Baileys Caramel or Kahlúa, which echoes the cookie's caramel essence and creates a luxurious dessert experience.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies in Different Styles

  • Gluten-Free Caramel Chocolate Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free alternative that maintains the rich, decadent flavor profile.
  • Vegan Salted Caramel Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based egg replacer, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a compassionate version of the classic recipe.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Caramel Cookies: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while preserving the cookie's delicious taste.
  • Keto-Friendly Chocolate Caramel Cookies: Use almond flour, sugar-free chocolate chips, and a keto-friendly caramel substitute to create a low-carb version that fits strict ketogenic dietary requirements.

FAQs

  • What gives these cookies their unique flavor profile?

The combination of rich chocolate chips, soft caramel bits, and a sprinkle of sea salt creates a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that elevate these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the butter firm up and prevents excessive spreading, ensuring your cookies maintain a nice, round shape.

  • Can I use different types of chocolate in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips with chopped dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate. Just ensure the pieces are roughly the same size for even distribution in the dough.

  • Why is it important to add sea salt on top of the cookies right after baking?

The residual heat helps the salt slightly melt into the cookie surface, enhancing the caramel and chocolate flavors while creating a delightful crunchy texture that complements the soft cookie base.

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Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe

Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Salted caramel chocolate cookies deliver an irresistible symphony of rich chocolate and silky caramel, dancing with sweet-salty perfection. Chocolate enthusiasts and dessert lovers will swoon over these luxurious morsels that promise pure indulgence in every delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup caramel bits or caramel cubes (unwrapped)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Carefully preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for optimal cookie preparation.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes of vigorous mixing.
  3. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the sugar-butter blend, stirring until the ingredients are smoothly integrated and create a uniform consistency.
  4. Separately, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
  5. Gradually merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
  6. Delicately fold chocolate chips and caramel bits into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
  7. Using a cookie scoop, form uniform dough balls and arrange them systematically on the prepared baking sheet, leaving sufficient space between each cookie for potential spreading.
  8. Position the cookie-laden sheet in the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges transform to a golden-brown hue while centers remain delicately soft.
  9. Upon removing cookies from the oven, immediately garnish each with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt, enhancing the complex flavor profile.
  10. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire cooling rack, enabling them to set and develop a perfect texture.

Notes

  • Precision Matters: Measure ingredients carefully, especially flour, to maintain the perfect cookie texture and prevent dense or dry results.
  • Caramel Control: Freeze caramel bits before adding to prevent excessive melting and ensure even distribution throughout the dough.
  • Temperature Trick: Let butter and eggs come to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more consistent cookie dough that blends more easily.
  • Storage Wisdom: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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