Description
Delight in these decadent Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies, featuring a rich chocolate base blended with gooey salted caramel and chocolate chips. Perfectly balanced with a sprinkle of sea salt for that irresistible sweet and salty crunch, these cookies offer a soft center with optional caramel filled bites, making each bite a heavenly treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Chilled salted caramel sauce or caramel candies (like Rolos) for optional centers
- Sea salt flakes for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate & Caramel: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and ½ cup of salted caramel sauce, ensuring even distribution without deflating the batter.
- Optional Caramel Center: Flatten a portion of dough in your hand, place about 1 teaspoon of chilled caramel or a caramel candy like a Rolo in the center, then wrap the dough around to seal, forming a ball.
- Scoop & Bake: Place dough balls spaced 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Cool & Top: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Drizzle additional salted caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with sea salt flakes for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve warm to enjoy the gooey caramel center. Break one open to savor the luscious caramel surprise inside!
Notes
- For best results, chill the caramel sauce or candies before using as a filling to prevent excessive melting during baking.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent cookies from sticking and to promote even baking.
- Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven to avoid overbaking; cookies should be soft in the center.
- Sea salt flakes add a delightful contrast, but can be omitted if you prefer less saltiness.
- Allow cookies to cool slightly before handling to maintain their shape, especially when filled with caramel centers.
