Introduction

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies are a decadent treat combining rich cocoa, gooey salted caramel, and melty chocolate chips. These cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty with a soft, chewy texture that’s irresistible.

A stack of four thick chocolate cookies is shown, each broken in half to reveal gooey caramel inside. The cookies have a dark brown, cracked outer layer and look soft on the inside. The caramel is a shiny golden color, slowly dripping between the layers, adding a rich, sticky texture. In the blurred background, more whole cookies are scattered on a white marbled surface, showing a smooth, shiny top with melted chocolate spots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips (milk, dark, or a mix)
1/2 cup salted caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
Chilled salted caramel sauce or caramel-filled candies (like Rolos)
Sea salt flakes for sprinkling

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Step 6: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of chilled salted caramel sauce until evenly distributed.
Step 7: For a caramel center, scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly. Place 1 teaspoon of chilled caramel sauce or a caramel candy in the center, then wrap the dough around it to seal completely. Repeat for each cookie.
Step 8: Use a cookie scoop to drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. While still warm, drizzle with extra salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt flakes.
Step 10: Serve and enjoy! Break one open to reveal the gooey caramel center.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips for a complex chocolate flavor.
Chilling the dough before baking helps prevent spreading and intensifies flavors.
Substitute caramel-filled candies like Rolos for the salted caramel sauce to add texture and convenience.
Sprinkle a little coarse sea salt on top just before baking for an extra salty crunch.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave to soften the caramel and chocolate before serving.

How to Serve

A stack of four chocolate cookies is shown, each broken in half and layered one on top of the other. Each cookie has a thick, dark brown outer layer with a slightly cracked and soft texture. Inside, there is a gooey caramel filling that is golden in color, slowly dripping and oozing between the cookie layers. The cookies rest on a white marbled surface with blurred similar cookies in the background. The rich caramel contrasts vividly with the deep dark brown of the chocolate cookies, making the texture and layers very clear. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade caramel sauce for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade salted caramel sauce works wonderfully and allows you to control the sweetness and saltiness to your preference.

Do I have to add the caramel center?

No, the caramel center is optional. You can simply fold the caramel sauce into the dough for a more subtle caramel flavor throughout the cookie.