Who doesn’t love the combo of chocolate and caramel? These cookies are soft, chewy, and totally irresistible—loaded with gooey caramel bits nestled inside a rich, chocolatey dough. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just need a sweet treat to satisfy those cravings, these Chocolate Caramel Cookies will quickly become your go-to recipe. Get ready for a deliciously messy, melt-in-your-mouth moment!

Why You’ll Love Chocolate Caramel Cookies

This recipe isn’t just about indulgence—it’s about bringing joy to your day. Here’s why these cookies are so special:

Decadent Flavors: The combination of rich chocolate and gooey caramel is a dream come true. The caramel adds that perfect chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, chocolaty cookie dough.
Perfectly Chewy: These cookies are soft, chewy, and full of melt-in-your-mouth goodness. They hold their shape but still have that perfect, slightly gooey center.
Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re making these for a family gathering, a cookie swap, or just because, they’re sure to be a hit. Expect everyone to ask for the recipe!
Easy to Make: No complicated steps here—just a simple dough that comes together quickly, with a little caramel magic mixed in.
Customizable: Love extra chocolate? Add some chocolate chips. Want more caramel? Toss in more caramel bits! You can make these cookies your own.

Ingredients

Here’s the magic of these cookies—it’s all about the balance of rich chocolate and sweet caramel. Let’s break it down:

Butter: The buttery base that gives these cookies their melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, rich sweetness and contributes to the chewy texture.
Granulated Sugar: Helps with that slight crispiness around the edges while still keeping the center soft.
Eggs: Brings everything together and gives the cookies structure.
Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla enhances all the flavors and rounds out the sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough that holds everything together.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread and rise, making them nice and chewy.
Cocoa Powder: Gives the cookies that deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Caramel Bits: The star of the show! These little morsels melt into the dough, creating pockets of gooey caramel in every bite.
Chocolate Chips: For extra chocolatey goodness throughout the cookie.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s dive into the steps to create these irresistible cookies:

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the cookies bake evenly and gives them that perfect texture.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes. The fluffier the mix, the softer the cookies!
Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Mix in Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix—just enough to bring it all together!
Fold in Caramel and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the caramel bits and chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. The centers should look a little soft—that’s when you know they’re perfect!
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. But be warned—these are seriously tempting right out of the oven!

How to Serve Chocolate Caramel Cookies

These cookies are perfect just as they are, but if you want to take things up a notch, try serving them with a few of these ideas:

With a Cold Glass of Milk: The classic pairing for cookies! The milk helps balance the richness of the chocolate and caramel.
With Ice Cream: Sandwich these cookies around a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream for an over-the-top dessert experience.
Drizzled with Extra Caramel: Feeling indulgent? Drizzle some extra caramel sauce over the top for an extra sweet touch.
On Their Own: Sometimes, the simplest option is best. Just enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy treat.

Additional Tips

Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:

Chill the Dough: If you want your cookies to spread less, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. It’ll help the cookies stay thicker.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start. This helps everything mix together better for a smoother dough.
Don’t Overbake: These cookies are best when they’re a little soft in the center, so don’t let them bake too long.
Store Leftovers: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They also freeze well for up to 3 months—just let them cool completely before freezing.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use caramel sauce instead of caramel bits?
A1: Caramel sauce will make the dough too runny, so it’s better to stick with caramel bits or chunks for the perfect chewy texture.

Q2: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A2: Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just scoop and bake when you’re ready.

Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy!

Q4: Can I freeze these cookies?
A4: Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully. After baking, let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Q5: Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips?
A5: Absolutely! Dark chocolate will add a deeper, slightly bitter flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet caramel.

Q6: Can I add nuts to the dough?
A6: Yes! Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition to these cookies.

Q7: Can I make the dough into bars instead of cookies?
A7: Yes! Spread the dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake for about 20-25 minutes for caramel-chocolate bars.

Q8: Can I use white chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips?
A8: Absolutely! White chocolate will give the cookies a slightly different flavor but still pair perfectly with the caramel.

Q9: How do I know when the cookies are done?
A9: The edges should be slightly golden, and the centers should look soft but set. Don’t worry if they’re a little gooey—they’ll firm up as they cool.

Q10: Can I double this recipe?
A10: Yes, this recipe is easy to double. Just make sure you have enough baking sheets to accommodate the dough, and you might need to bake in batches.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Caramel Cookies are a game-changer—soft, chewy, and packed with irresistible chocolate and caramel flavors. They’re perfect for any occasion and are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. So, get your apron on, grab your ingredients, and treat yourself (and everyone else) to a batch of these delicious cookies!

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

Author: Maria
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 28 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Soft, chewy, and loaded with rich chocolate flavor, these Chocolate Caramel Cookies feature gooey caramel centers wrapped in a decadent double chocolate dough. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds the perfect finishing touch!

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter & Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).
Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add eggs and vanilla extract, beating for another minute.
Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the buttermilk or yogurt.
Add Chocolate Chunks: Fold in chopped chocolate chunks, cover the bowl, and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop out medium-sized dough balls, flatten them into disks, and wrap each one around a caramel. Chill again for 15 minutes.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place chilled cookies 2 inches apart and bake for 10–12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
Finish: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt immediately after removing from the oven. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Chilling the dough twice helps keep the cookies thick and prevents spreading.
Swap soft caramels for homemade caramel filling for an extra gourmet touch.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 210 kcal
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 30mg