Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookie Recipe

Craving something indulgent, rich, and a little bit fancy? Look no further than these Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies—a heavenly fusion of gooey caramel, decadent chocolate, and a touch of sea salt that creates a flavor explosion with every bite. These gourmet cookies are perfect for gifting, holiday baking, or satisfying your sweet tooth with style.

Ingredients

This recipe yields approximately 18–20 large gourmet cookies.

For the Cookie Dough:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
18–20 soft caramels (store-bought or homemade)

For Topping:

Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

Required Kitchen Tools

To make these cookies seamlessly, gather the following:

Stand mixer or hand mixer
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Baking sheets
Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
Cookie scoop (optional but recommended)
Wire rack for cooling

Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions

1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes. This creates the base of your chewy, rich cookies.

3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

5: Mix the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.

6: Portion the Dough

Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Flatten each portion slightly, then press a caramel candy into the center. Wrap the dough around the caramel, sealing it completely to ensure it doesn’t leak during baking. Roll into a smooth ball.

7: Bake

Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between each. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.

8: Add Sea Salt and Cool

Immediately sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt on each cookie right after removing them from the oven. Let the cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Helpful Tips for Making or Serving

1. Use High-Quality Caramels

Look for soft, chewy caramels for the perfect gooey center. Avoid hard caramels, which won’t melt properly. You can also use homemade caramel squares if you’re feeling ambitious.

2. Don’t Overbake

The key to gooey cookies is slightly underbaking them. The centers will continue to set as they cool, leaving you with a perfectly soft and chewy bite.

3. Chill the Dough (Optional)

If you have time, chill the cookie dough for 30–60 minutes before baking. This enhances flavor and prevents too much spreading.

4. Serve Warm

For an extra indulgent experience, warm the cookies slightly in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to re-melt the caramel core before serving.

5. Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls (without salt topping) for up to 2 months. Just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Approximate Nutritional Value (Per Cookie)

Note: Based on 20 cookies per batch. Nutritional values will vary depending on brands used.

Calories: 290
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Sugar: 24g
Protein: 3g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 140mg

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies are a gourmet twist on the classic chocolate cookie—and trust us, they’re worth every bite. The combination of deep chocolate flavor, gooey caramel centers, and a kiss of sea salt makes them utterly addictive and bakery-worthy.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, treating your family, or simply indulging in a late-night craving, these cookies will never disappoint. They’re easy to make, irresistibly good, and destined to become your new favorite.