If you’re a cookie lover like me, buckle up, these Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies are the kind of treat that vanishes off the baking tray before they cool. I remember the first time I tested this recipe. I handed my husband one, turned around, and the next thing I knew, half the batch was gone. That’s when I knew I had something special. Sweet caramel, rich chocolate, and a pinch of flaky salt… it’s a combination that hits every flavor note just right.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday tray, a weekend indulgence, or just because you deserve it, these cookies bring bakery-level taste with minimal fuss. And the best part? They’re chewy, gooey, and loaded with personality. Let’s dive into why they’ll become your new favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These salted caramel chocolate cookies offer that perfect balance of sweet and salty, chewy and crisp. With deep chocolate flavor from cocoa powder and semi-sweet chips, plus the buttery melt of soft caramel bits, every bite is packed with texture and richness. A light sprinkle of sea salt on top turns up the flavor even more.
You don’t need a mixer. You don’t need fancy ingredients. And you definitely don’t need hours; this dough chills for just 30 minutes, making them weeknight-worthy. The melted butter base keeps things simple and the bake time is under 10 minutes, so yes, you can start and finish this cookie craving before your favorite show ends.
If you’re a fan of nostalgic flavor with a modern twist, these cookies deliver. They’re right up there with other delicious hits like Brownie S’more Bars when it comes to crowd-pleasing, plate-clearing goodness.
Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies
These salted caramel chocolate cookies are soft, chewy, packed with gooey caramel and rich chocolate, and topped with flaky sea salt. Easy, irresistible, and baked in under 10 minutes.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup soft caramel bits
Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
1. Melt butter and let it cool slightly.
2. Whisk together brown sugar, white sugar, and butter until glossy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture until combined.
6. Fold in chocolate chips and caramel bits.
7. Chill dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets.
9. Scoop dough into balls and place on baking sheet with space in between.
10. Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft.
11. Sprinkle sea salt on warm cookies. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to rack.
Notes
Don’t skip the chilling step; it helps maintain shape.
Tuck caramel bits inside dough to avoid melted overflow.
Store in airtight container for 5 days or freeze dough for future batches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Ingredients
You’ll likely have most of these in your pantry, and the rest are easy to grab.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter, melted | 1 cup |
| Brown Sugar | 1 cup, packed |
| White Sugar | ½ cup |
| Large Eggs | 2 |
| Vanilla Extract | 2 tsp |
| All-Purpose Flour | 2 ½ cups |
| Unsweetened Cocoa Powder | ⅔ cup |
| Baking Soda | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips | 1 cup |
| Soft Caramel Bits | 1 cup |
| Flaky Sea Salt (for topping) | to taste |
Want more cookie inspiration? Don’t miss these Lemon Pound Cake Cookies for a zesty twist.
How to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies
Start by melting the butter and letting it cool slightly. In a bowl, whisk the brown sugar, white sugar, and melted butter until glossy. Mix in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir the dry mix into the wet until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and caramel pieces.
Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes; don’t skip this step! Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and develop that chewy texture.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets. Scoop the dough into balls, leaving space between each. Bake for 8–10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers look slightly underbaked. Immediately sprinkle with sea salt. Let cool 5 minutes before transferring.
Need a showstopper pairing? Try these Peach Cobbler Cookies for a fruity, soft-baked treat.
Tips and Variations
- Don’t overbake: The cookies should look soft in the center when you take them out. They’ll finish baking on the sheet.
- Caramel choices: If you don’t have caramel bits, chop up soft caramels. Just avoid hard ones; they’ll turn rock-like after baking.
- Add-ins: Feel free to toss in pecans, espresso powder for depth, or swap half the chocolate chips for dark chocolate chunks. Want something even richer? Add a swirl of dulce de leche on top before baking.
- Storage: Keep your caramel chocolate cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. You can freeze the dough balls too, just bake them straight from the freezer with 1–2 extra minutes.
For another easy and customizable dessert, check out these Pineapple Upside Down Sugar Cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep caramel from melting out of the cookies?
Make sure caramel bits are tucked inside the dough and not sitting on top. Chilling helps too.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can chill it for up to 48 hours or freeze scooped dough balls for longer storage.
Do I have to use sea salt?
It’s optional, but that salty crunch enhances the sweetness and balances the chocolate.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Results may vary slightly in texture.
If you’re after soft-centered cookies with chewy edges, also try Strawberry Crunch Cookies.
Final Touch
Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies are more than just a dessert, they’re a little piece of joy in every bite. Perfectly chewy, slightly crisp on the edges, and bursting with gooey caramel and melty chocolate. Whether you bake them for a party, your family, or just a self-care snack on a cozy night, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor in every warm cookie.
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