Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookies

Nothing beats the combination of gooey caramel and melted chocolate chips in a soft cookie with a sprinkle of sea salt on top. These chocolate chip caramel cookies come together with pantry staples and a rich caramel swirl, giving you bakery-quality results at home every time I bring these to a gathering they disappear fast and requests for the recipe follow soon after

The first time I made these cookies my kitchen smelled like a bakery and my family could not wait for the tray to cool everyone was reaching for seconds before they were even fully cooled

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: gives the cookies structure choose a good quality unbleached flour for best texture
• Baking soda: helps the cookies spread and get those golden crisp edges make sure it is fresh for proper rise
• Salt: balances sweetness and enhances the flavors go for fine sea salt in the dough
• Unsalted butter: melted for chewiness choose a rich European-style butter for extra flavor
• Packed light brown sugar: brings a caramel note and chewy bite always press it tight when measuring
• Granulated sugar: gives structure and a bit of snap to the edges
• Large egg: room temperature binds the dough and helps it rise make sure it is fresh
• Egg yolk: makes the cookies extra rich and tender use a farm-fresh egg if possible
• Pure vanilla extract: lifts all the flavors try to find real vanilla not imitation
• Good-quality caramel sauce: brings real caramel flavor look for a thick creamy sauce over syrup
• Semisweet chocolate chips: just sweet enough with rich chocolate flavor try chopping a bar for varied pockets of chocolate
• Sea salt flakes for sprinkling: give the perfect sweet and salty finish use a flaky sea salt like Maldon or fleur de sel

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Dry Mix:

In a large bowl whisk together the flour baking soda and salt for a full minute to evenly distribute the ingredients a good mix makes a difference

Cream Butter and Sugars:

In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer beat the melted butter brown sugar and granulated sugar on high speed for about three minutes until light and fluffy you want a pale mixture that almost doubles in volume

Add the Wet Ingredients:

Mix in the egg egg yolk and vanilla extract beat on medium until fully combined scrape down the bowl to get every bit of flavor into the dough

Add the Caramel:

Pour in the caramel sauce and mix on low just until swirled through make sure to use a spatula to get any caramel stuck to the sides

Combine Wet and Dry:

Add the flour mixture in two batches mixing on low only until combined do not overmix or the cookies may get tough

Stir in Chocolate Chips:

With a spatula or spoon gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly spread through the dough each cookie should have some chocolate in every bite

Chill the Dough:

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough for at least two hours or ideally overnight chilling stops the cookies from spreading too much and deepens the flavor

Prepare to Bake:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep cookies from sticking

Scoop and Shape:

If the dough is too firm from chilling let it sit out for up to ten minutes then use a medium cookie scoop to portion the dough roll each one into a smooth ball and place them on the sheet leaving room for spreading

Bake:

Bake for eight to ten minutes just until the edges set and the centers look a bit undercooked do not overbake let the residual heat finish them for that iconic chewy center

Cool and Finish:

Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack drizzle each with a little more caramel and sprinkle lightly with sea salt flakes for that final restaurant-style touch

The caramel is hands-down my favorite part I love sneaking a taste before adding it to the dough and my kids always want to help with drizzling extra on top after baking

Storage Tips

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they will stay soft for up to five days if they last that long add a slice of bread to the container to keep them extra chewy. You can also freeze the dough balls or finished cookies for up to three months just remember to let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving for best texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

No caramel sauce try a spoonful of dulce de leche or a thick homemade caramel instead if you only have salted caramel remember to use a bit less salt in the dough. Swap chocolate chips for chopped chocolate chunks or even peanut butter chips if you want a twist.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are incredible slightly warm break them in half and enjoy that gooey caramel center. They go well with coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Stack them on a festive tray with a drizzle of melted chocolate for a party.

Cultural Context

Caramel and chocolate are a timeless pairing in American baking bringing together old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies and the richness of caramel found in classic candies this recipe taps into that nostalgic comfort while adding a gourmet touch with sea salt on top.

FAQs about Recipes

→ Do I need to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough for at least 2 hours helps the flavors deepen and prevents spreading during baking, resulting in thick, chewy cookies.

→ Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Absolutely. Just choose a good-quality caramel sauce rather than syrup for the best flavor and texture in your cookies.

→ How do I store these cookies?

Once cooled, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain freshness.

→ Can the dough or cookies be frozen?

Yes, both the dough and baked cookies can be frozen for up to three months. Defrost in the refrigerator for best results.

→ Why add sea salt on top?

A sprinkle of sea salt enhances the sweetness and caramel notes while adding a satisfying contrast to the chocolate chips.

→ Can I substitute the chocolate chips?

You can use dark or milk chocolate chips, or mix in your favorite add-ins like chopped nuts or white chocolate.