Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Sweet memories often emerge from unexpected kitchen salted caramel chocolate cookies moments that spark joy and connection.

Warm aromas of melting chocolate and buttery caramel will drift through your home, creating an irresistible atmosphere.

Crisp edges and gooey centers make these treats impossible to resist.

Delicate sea salt crystals dance across rich chocolate surfaces, balancing sweetness with a sophisticated twist.

Baking these cookies feels like crafting edible art that celebrates simple pleasures.

Quick to prepare and stunning to serve, they promise to become a cherished favorite.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe: Why They’re Special

  • Savor Rich Flavor Complexity: Indulge in the perfect balance of deep chocolate, sweet caramel, and a hint of sea salt that creates an irresistible taste sensation.
  • Master Simple Baking Technique: Enjoy a straightforward recipe that requires minimal baking skills, making it accessible for both novice and experienced home bakers.
  • Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Wow friends and family with a decadent cookie that combines classic chocolate charm with an unexpected caramel twist, perfect for gatherings or sweet treat cravings.
  • Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adjusting salt levels or experimenting with different types of caramel chips to make the cookies uniquely yours.

What Goes Into Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cookies.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and dark color to the cookie base.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a rich and tender cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help with cookie caramelization.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie flavor.
Special Ingredients:
  • Caramel Chips: Adds pockets of sweet caramel throughout the cookie.
  • Sea Salt: Provides a contrasting salty crunch on top of the sweet cookies.

How To Bake Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and clean-up.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until perfectly blended and lump-free.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a creamy cloud.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Crack in the egg and pour vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until everything is smoothly combined and looks glossy.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined – don’t overmix.

Step 6: Fold in Caramel Chips

Gently fold caramel chips into the cookie dough, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Dough

Scoop out portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Use your fingers to slightly flatten each cookie.

Step 8: Add Finishing Touch

Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over each cookie to enhance the sweet and salty flavor profile.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for slightly set edges as your doneness indicator.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before devouring.

Handy Tips For Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

  • Enhance the chocolate flavor by using high-quality cocoa powder for a richer, more intense taste.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
  • Experiment with different types of caramel chips or chunks to add variety and depth to the cookie's flavor profile.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, chewy texture.

Creative Styles For Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

  • Nutty Caramel Chocolate Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the dough for extra texture and nutty flavor.
  • Dark Chocolate Espresso Salted Caramel: Mix in instant espresso powder to intensify the chocolate taste and create a rich, complex cookie.
  • Caramel Swirl Chocolate Cookies: Drizzle melted caramel over the cooled cookies for an extra layer of gooey sweetness.
  • White Chocolate Caramel Drizzle: Melt white chocolate and create decorative lines across the top of the finished cookies for a stunning presentation.

Pairing Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe With Treats

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that complements the rich chocolate and caramel flavors, creating a luxurious dessert experience with deep, complex taste notes.
  • Match with Creamy Vanilla Latte: Brew a smooth, velvety vanilla latte that balances the cookie's salty-sweet profile, offering a warm and comforting contrast to the intense chocolate texture.
  • Serve with Salted Caramel Ice Cream: Scoop a generous portion of premium salted caramel ice cream alongside these cookies, amplifying the dessert's core flavor elements and providing a cool, creamy companion.
  • Enjoy with Aged Bourbon: Pour a small glass of smooth, oak-aged bourbon that echoes the caramel and chocolate notes, creating a sophisticated adult dessert pairing with rich, warming undertones.

Keeping Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe Fresh

  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.
  • Wrap individual cookies or entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, preserving their delicious texture.
  • Warm cookies at 300F for 3-5 minutes, restoring their soft, gooey texture and bringing back that fresh-baked warmth.
  • Heat cookies for 10-15 seconds on medium power, checking carefully to prevent overcooking and maintain their delicate caramel flavor.

Questions For Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

  • What are caramel chips?

Caramel chips are small, sweet morsels made from cooked sugar and cream that can be easily mixed into cookie dough, adding a rich, buttery flavor to baked goods.

  • Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of caramel chips?

Yes, you can substitute chocolate chips, but the cookies will lose the distinct caramel flavor. For best results, stick with caramel chips or a mix of both.

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

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and make sure your butter isn’t too soft. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

  • Why add sea salt to sweet cookies?

Sea salt enhances the caramel’s sweetness and creates a delicious sweet-salty contrast, making the cookies more complex and flavorful.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 25-27 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent salted caramel chocolate cookies blend rich cocoa depths with luxurious caramel swirls, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty sensations. Sweet chocolate lovers will discover pure bliss in each perfectly crafted, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that promises irresistible comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup caramel chips

Binding and Leavening Ingredients:

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Finishing Ingredient:

  • Sea salt for sprinkling
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (180C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for even baking.
  2. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
  3. In a large bowl, cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale in color.
  4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully integrated and smooth.
  5. Slowly introduce dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to prevent overmixing.
  6. Gently fold caramel chips into the cookie dough, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
  7. Use a cookie scoop to place dough portions onto the prepared baking sheet, lightly pressing each mound to create a slight disk shape.
  8. Delicately sprinkle sea salt across the surface of each cookie dough portion to enhance flavor complexity.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for edges to set and centers to look slightly soft but not wet.
  10. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that creams more effectively.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain a thicker cookie shape.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain texture and structure.
  • Experiment with different caramel varieties like dark or white chocolate caramel chips for unique flavor variations.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 160 kcal
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star