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Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 534 reviews

These salted caramel chocolate chip cookies combine rich melted butter, a perfect balance of brown and granulated sugars, and a tender dough encasing gooey Werther’s soft caramels. Finished with a sprinkle of caramel pieces and chocolate chips on top, these cookies bake to a soft-baked, slightly chewy texture with a delightful caramel surprise in each bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 14.5 tbsp salted butter, melted & cooled slightly (206 grams)
  • 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

Sugars

  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed (163 grams)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (156 grams)

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed (390 grams)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Add-ins

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 35 pieces Werther’s soft caramels (15 whole for stuffing, rest sliced 2–3 pieces each)

Instructions

  1. Prep: Unwrap all the Werther’s soft caramels. Set aside 15 whole caramels for stuffing inside the cookies. Slice the remaining pieces into 2-3 smaller pieces each; these will be used as toppings for the cookies.
  2. Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, melt the salted butter until just melted and slightly cooled. Whisk in the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar until well combined and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and eggs, whisking for 30-60 seconds to create a smooth mixture. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough starts to form; it may be crumbly at first but keep mixing until it comes together. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips last, evenly distributing them throughout the dough.
  3. Rest the Dough: Chill the dough in the fridge or freezer for 20 minutes to let it rest, which helps the dough hold together better when scooped.
  4. Prep Cookie Dough Balls: Divide the dough into balls weighing approximately 90 grams each. Flatten each dough ball and place one whole caramel candy in the center. Wrap the dough around the caramel candy completely, sealing the caramel inside. Press 1-2 pieces of the sliced caramel on top of each dough ball along with a few extra chocolate chips for garnish.
  5. Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 365°F (185°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place 5-6 cookie dough balls per sheet, spacing them to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown and set, but the centers look slightly underdone. Immediately after removal from the oven, place a round cutter around each cookie and gently rotate it to shape the cookies into perfect circles, which also helps thicken their appearance. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet until warm and soft.
  6. Serve and Store: Enjoy the cookies warm for the best gooey caramel experience. Once fully cooled, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving for warm, melty cookies.
  7. Freezing Cookie Dough: After shaping dough balls, freeze them on a baking sheet covered with a clean towel. Once solid, transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen by following the original baking time and temperature. Alternatively, stuffed cookie dough balls can be refrigerated for 2-3 days before baking.

Notes

  • Using room temperature eggs ensures the dough mixes evenly and results in a tender cookie texture.
  • Resting the dough briefly improves dough handling and cookie shape during baking.
  • The swirl technique with a round cutter after baking helps achieve uniform thickness and perfect cookie shape.
  • Chocolate chips on top not only enhance visual appeal but add extra chocolate flavor and texture.
  • Freezing dough balls allows for easy baking fresh cookies anytime with minimal prep.
  • Don’t overbake; cookies should be slightly underdone in the center when removed from the oven for soft-baked results.

Keywords: salted caramel cookies, chocolate chip cookies, soft baked cookies, caramel chocolate chip, homemade cookies, dessert recipe

Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/salted-caramel-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe/