Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect treat that hits all the right notes—sweet, salty, soft, and just a little gooey—you’ll want to give this Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe a try. These cookies have quickly become my go-to when I want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of buttery dough with pockets of melted caramel and rich chocolate chips sprinkled with flaky sea salt is like a little bite of heaven every single time.
What I love most about this Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe is how versatile it is. Whether it’s a cozy night in, a festive gathering, or just that afternoon craving for something indulgent, these cookies deliver. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to whip up, so you don’t have to be a baking expert to get incredible results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating the cookie’s perfect texture and flavor that I love. Here’s the scoop on what you’ll need and a few shopping tips to make sure your cookies come out amazing.
- All-purpose flour: This foundation gives the structure and chewiness. Make sure it’s fresh for the best texture.
- Baking soda: A little lift helps keep your cookies light and soft instead of dense.
- Salt: The unsung hero that balances sweetness. I stick to fine salt here for even blending.
- Unsalted butter: I always use room temperature butter to get that creamy, well-mixed dough.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps crispy edges form.
- Brown sugar: Delivers moisture and that lovely caramel backbone flavor.
- Large eggs: Act as a binder; room temperature eggs mix better and keep dough consistent.
- Vanilla extract: Such a simple addition, yet it makes all the flavors pop beautifully.
- Caramel chips: The star ingredient! They melt into gooey caramel pockets—don’t substitute unless you want a different treat.
- Chocolate chips: Optional, but I love the richness they add contrasting the caramel.
- Flaky sea salt: Sprinkled on top for that perfect sweet-salty balance and fancy look.
Variations
One of the best things about making Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe your own is how easy it is to experiment. I often tweak the recipe depending on my mood or what I have in the pantry, and you should too!
- Double Chocolate: Swap out all the caramel chips for chocolate chips to go full-on chocolate lover mode. I’ve tried this on movie nights and it was a huge hit!
- Nutty Twist: Toss in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and depth. I like adding nuts when baking for family gatherings—it feels a bit more special.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just remember the texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
- Less Sweet: Cut back on the granulated sugar slightly if you want a more subtle sweetness—perfect if you’re pairing the cookies with a cup of strong coffee.
How to Make Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. I find this step makes clean-up super easy and also prevents the cookies from spreading too thin or sticking. Having your kitchen ready before mixing helps everything flow smoothly.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. I always sift or whisk my dry ingredients to avoid any lumps and to ensure an even rise in the cookies. Setting this aside will save you time when you start combining everything.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until your mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial because it introduces air into the dough, giving your cookies that soft, tender crumb I love.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then pour in the vanilla extract. Using room-temperature eggs here really helps keep your dough from curdling, which can happen if the butter mixture is too cool.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the flour mixture in batches, mixing just until combined. Overmixing is a common mistake that can make cookies tough, so I always stop as soon as I can no longer see dry flour.
Step 6: Fold in Caramel and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the caramel chips and chocolate chips with a spatula. This part always feels like the grand finale — those melty caramel pockets are what make this cookie recipe stand out. Don’t skip this step or skimp on these add-ins!
Step 7: Scoop and Salt
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to place dollops of dough onto your baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Before popping them in the oven, sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of flaky sea salt — it’s that little finishing touch that makes every bite unforgettable.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden but the center still feels slightly soft. Resist the urge to overbake — these cookies continue to cook as they cool and you want them perfectly chewy. After cooling on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple and spritz a little extra flaky sea salt right on top once they’re cooled for an elevated touch. Sometimes I’ll even drizzle a bit of melted dark chocolate or caramel sauce for special occasions — guests love the extra flair!
Side Dishes
These cookies are incredible paired with a creamy latte, strong black coffee, or even a generous glass of cold milk. I’ve also served them alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple yet indulgent dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthday parties or holiday gift boxes, I like stacking the cookies between parchment sheets in a decorative tin. Another fun way is to sandwich softened caramel ice cream between two cookies for an easy and unforgettable ice cream sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. To keep them soft, I tuck a slice of bread in the container—the cookies soak up just enough moisture to stay chewy without getting soggy.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully! I like to freeze scoops of cookie dough on a tray and then transfer them to a ziplock bag. When I want fresh baked cookies, I just bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
If you want to revive day-old cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 4-5 minutes. This quick trick brings back their softness and gooey caramel magic almost instantly.
FAQs
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Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted in this recipe?
You can, but I recommend reducing the added salt slightly to avoid overly salty cookies. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor balance, especially important when you’re sprinkling flaky sea salt on top.
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What type of caramel chips should I buy for these cookies?
Look for quality caramel chips designed for baking, usually found near chocolate chips in the baking aisle. Avoid caramel bits that are too hard, as they might not melt properly and could affect the gooey texture we want.
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Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
Yes, with some modifications: swap butter for plant-based margarine or coconut oil, use egg replacers like flax eggs, and find dairy-free caramel and chocolate chips. Just know the texture and flavor may vary a bit, but still delicious!
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How thick should I scoop the cookie dough?
I like to use a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon measuring about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie for nicely sized cookies that bake evenly and leave room on the sheet to spread without crowding.
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Why do the cookies need flaky sea salt on top?
The flaky sea salt adds a wonderful contrast to the sweet caramel and chocolate, making the flavors pop and giving a gourmet touch to what might otherwise be an everyday cookie.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe is one of those treasures I keep in my back pocket for when I want to bake something truly special but without fuss. The perfect blend of salty, sweet, and melty goodness means you’ll get compliments every time you share them. I hope you enjoy making and eating them as much as I do – trust me, once you bake these, they’ll become a family favorite!
Print
Salted Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the perfect balance of sweet and salty with these Salted Caramel Cookies. Soft, chewy cookies feature pockets of gooey caramel chips complemented by a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a delightful contrast. With rich brown sugar and optional chocolate chips, these cookies are a decadent treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup caramel chips
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later to incorporate into the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate, then add the vanilla extract to enhance the cookie’s flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Chips: Gently fold in the caramel chips and chocolate chips if using, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for gooey pockets of flavor.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow them to spread during baking.
- Add Sea Salt: Sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt to introduce a delightful sweet and salty contrast.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation and texture.
- For extra gooey caramel, add a few more caramel chips on top of each cookie dough ball before baking.
- Flaky sea salt enhances the flavor, but can be omitted or adjusted according to preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Nutrition information is approximate and can vary based on exact ingredient brands and portion sizes.
Keywords: salted caramel cookies, caramel chip cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chewy cookies, sweet and salty dessert
