Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you have a sweet tooth that craves both gooey and crunchy, then this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These cookies combine the perfect balance of rich dark chocolate, bursts of soft caramel, and a kiss of flaky sea salt that takes every bite to another level. The inclusion of oats adds a delightful texture, making each cookie chewy yet tender. Whether for an indulgent treat or to share with friends, this recipe will soon become a favorite in your bakeware rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is key to nailing the perfect Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Each component, from the oats to the sea salt, adds a unique flavor or texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.

• Old fashioned oats (1/4 cup + 2 tbsp): Adds a subtle chewiness and a rustic crumb to the cookie.
• All-purpose flour (1 cup): The base ingredient that shapes and holds the cookie together.
• Baking soda (1/4 tsp): Helps the cookies rise and creates a tender texture.
• Kosher salt (1/2 tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
• Ground cinnamon (1/4 tsp): Adds a warm subtle spice for depth.
• Unsalted butter, melted (1/2 cup): Infuses richness and moisture for tender cookies.
• Light brown sugar, packed (1/2 cup): Brings caramel notes and chewiness.
• Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s crisp edges.
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds a wonderful aroma and rounds out flavors.
• Large egg (1): Binds ingredients and contributes to structure.
• Dark chocolate chips (1 cup): Provides bursts of decadent chocolate in every bite.
• Werther’s soft caramels, chilled (3/4 cup): The star component that creates gooey pockets of caramel.
• Flakey sea salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance the sweet-salty contrast.

How to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Pieces

Start by unwrapping and chopping the Werther’s soft caramels in half while they’re chilled. Chilling makes cutting much easier, preventing sticky messes. Set aside half the chopped caramels back in the fridge, and keep a quarter cup of whole caramels at room temperature so they soften for later layering on the cookies.

Step 2: Process the Oats

Give the oats a few pulses in a food processor — about 5 or 6 times. The goal here is to have finely ground oat bits mixed with some larger pieces, which will add a pleasant texture burst to the cookies.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together the processed oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon to combine the flavors evenly and prepare for folding into the wet ingredients later.

Step 4: Combine Sugars and Butter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and the melted unsalted butter until the mixture is smooth and glossy — this ensures each cookie is packed with sweet richness.

Step 5: Add Vanilla and Egg

Next, whisk in the vanilla extract and the large egg until fully incorporated. This mixture will be the moist base that holds your cookie dough together.

Step 6: Fold in Dry Ingredients and Chocolate

Gently fold the dry oat and flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Then carefully fold in the dark chocolate chips for those melty chocolate moments in each bite.

Step 7: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough for 30 minutes. This step helps develop flavor, prevents excessive spreading, and makes handling the dough easier.

Step 8: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for a clean and easy release.

Step 9: Shape Cookies and Add Chilled Caramels

Using a large cookie scoop, portion out cookie dough balls about 3 tablespoons each, placing four on the baking sheet. Press two half pieces of the chilled caramel gently into the center of each dough ball. Molding the dough around the caramel helps keep them nestled inside as they bake. Optionally, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top for added chocolate love. Return the remaining dough to the fridge to keep it cool.

Step 10: Bake

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges are beautifully golden and firm while the centers remain slightly soft and underbaked, perfect for that chewy texture.

Step 11: Add Soft Caramel Disks

While cookies are fresh out of the oven, tear each room temperature caramel in half and flatten into thin disks. Press one disk into the caramel puddle at the center of each cookie. This melts slowly into the warm cookie, creating double the caramel delight.

Step 12: Sprinkle Sea Salt and Cool

Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with flaky sea salt for that signature flavor punch and transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Continue baking the rest of the dough in batches.

Step 13: Cool and Enjoy

Allow cookies to cool for about 20 minutes so the caramel sets slightly, making them easier to handle and absolutely heavenly to eat. Then dig in and savor every gooey, chocolatey bite.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar or an extra sprinkle of flaky sea salt can elevate the cookies’ appearance and taste. Even a drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel sauce adds an extra layer of indulgence if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a rich cup of coffee to balance the sweetness. For a dessert plate, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side enhances the warm, gooey textures perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve in a rustic basket lined with parchment paper for a casual vibe or stack them neatly tied with twine as a charming gift. You can also sandwich softened caramel and chocolate ganache between two cookies for an irresistible caramel cookie sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to maintain their soft texture, add a slice of bread into the container to keep moisture balanced.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully—freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months, so you can always have a sweet treat ready at a moment’s notice.

Reheating

To bring back that warm, gooey feeling, reheat frozen or refrigerated cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the texture rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use regular caramel candies instead of Werther’s soft caramels?

While regular caramels can work, soft caramels like Werther’s melt more smoothly and provide that luscious gooey texture essential to this recipe. Harder caramels may not melt as well and could affect the cookie consistency.

What if I don’t have old fashioned oats? Can I use quick oats?

Quick oats can be used in a pinch but the texture will be less rustic and chewy. Old fashioned oats contribute to the charming bite that makes these cookies special.

Can I substitute dark chocolate chips with another type of chocolate?

Absolutely! Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips work fine, though dark chocolate balances the sweetness beautifully. For a twist, try mixing in white chocolate chips or chunks.

Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling firm ups the dough, prevents excessive spreading during baking, and intensifies the flavors. It also helps when adding caramel pieces, as the dough is easier to handle.

How important is the flaky sea salt topping?

Flaky sea salt is key to the sweet-salty contrast that makes this cookie stand out. It highlights the caramel and chocolate flavors, so don’t skip it if you want the full effect.

Final Thoughts

I cannot recommend this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe enough for anyone who loves desserts full of texture and rich flavors. The melty caramel pockets with salty accents and rich chocolate chips make every bite feel like a little celebration. Once you try baking these, I promise they’ll become your go-to recipe when you want to impress yourself or others with minimal fuss and maximum yum. Happy baking!

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