The Best Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

This bakery style salted caramel chocolate chip cookies recipe is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and indulgence. With gooey caramel candies wrapped in rich chocolate, these cookies will quickly become a family favorite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a cozy treat, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Why You’ll LOVE This Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe:

• Sweet and salty balance: The salted butter and salted caramel candies bring the perfect contrast to the sweetness of the sugar and chocolate.
• Chewy texture: The combination of butter, eggs, and baking soda helps create a soft and chewy cookie with a slight crisp on the edges.
• Rich flavor: The salted caramel and chocolate chips work together to deliver a delicious, decadent flavor in every bite.
• Customizable: You can easily tweak the recipe to suit your tastes!
• Quick and easy: With just a few simple ingredients, these cookies come together in no time, making them perfect for a last-minute treat.
• Prep for future you: These cookies can be frozen and baked any time the urge for a sweet treat arises.

The Role of Each Ingredient:

• All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of the cookie dough, providing structure and texture. It binds all the ingredients together to form a cookie dough that holds its shape.
• Baking soda: This leavening agent helps the cookies rise slightly, ensuring they have a soft, airy texture rather than being too dense.
• Baking powder: Although less commonly used in cookie recipes, baking powder works with the baking soda to ensure a lighter, fluffier texture.
• Salted butter: The salted butter not only provides richness but also contributes to the overall salty-sweet flavor profile, helping balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
• Salt: A small amount of salt enhances the flavors and brings out the richness of the caramel and chocolate.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps with browning, giving the cookies their golden color and slight crispness.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich, deep toffee or caramel like flavor to the cookies.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the dough and add moisture, giving the cookies their chewy texture.
• Vanilla extract: This adds depth of flavor and a warm, aromatic note to the cookies.
• Chocolate-covered caramel candy: These candies are the star of the show! The chocolate and caramel combination inside each bite adds a luscious, gooey center that complements the rest of the ingredients beautifully. My family loves these Sanders Small Batch Chocolate Covered Caramels. You can often find them at Costco! Just chop them into small pieces for the recipe.

Tips and Substitutions:

• Substitute candies: You can use any chopped candy of your choice or substitute the Sanders chocolate covered caramels for a mixture of chocolate chips and chopped caramel candy of your choice. You can use milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips depending on your preference. Or, go for a mix for a variety of flavors!
• Make it dairy-free: Swap the salted butter for a dairy-free alternative like margarine or coconut oil and use dairy-free candies.
• Add more caramel: If you’re a caramel lover, feel free to chop up extra caramel candies and fold them into the dough.
• Chill the dough: If you have the time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent spreading too much during baking.
• Nuts for texture: You can add chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy contrast.

How to Store These Cookies:

• Room temperature: Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The caramel will stay soft and chewy.
• Freezing: To keep these cookies longer, they can be frozen either baked or unbaked. For baked, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. For unbaked, freeze them in rounded scoops in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. . They can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, from baked, thaw them at room temperature or microwave them for a few seconds for that fresh-baked taste. From unbaked, cook at the same temperature as the recipe below but add time as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe:

• Can I use regular caramel candies instead of chocolate-covered ones? Yes! You can substitute chocolate-covered caramel candies with regular caramel candies. If you use unwrapped caramel, make sure to chop it into small pieces for easy mixing. You can also add in chocolate chips to keep that chocolate and caramel flavor profile.
• Why do my cookies spread too much? If your cookies spread too much, it could be because the dough is too warm. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
• Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! Just make sure to adjust your baking time slightly if you’re baking in multiple batches, as a larger quantity may require extra time in the oven.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply scoop the dough onto baking sheets when you’re ready to bake, or freeze individual cookie dough balls for later use.
• Do I have to use salted butter? While salted butter helps balance the sweetness of the cookies, you can use unsalted butter instead. If you use unsalted butter, just add an extra pinch of salt to the dough to make up for the salt that would normally come from the salted butter.
• Can I make these cookies smaller or larger? Yes, you can adjust the size of the cookie dough balls. For smaller cookies, reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes. For larger cookies, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time, so keep an eye on them.
• Can I add other mix-ins to the dough? Definitely! Feel free to experiment by adding mix-ins like toffee bits, mini marshmallows, or even peanut butter chips for an extra flavor kick. Just make sure to maintain the balance of dry-to-wet ingredients.
• What should I do if my cookies are too soft after baking? If your cookies are too soft and not holding their shape, it’s possible that the dough was too warm when you baked them. Try chilling the dough before baking and ensuring your oven is fully preheated to the right temperature.
• Can I bake these cookies on parchment paper? Yes, parchment paper is a great way to ensure the cookies don’t stick to the baking sheet and helps with even baking. You can also use a silicone baking mat for the same effect.
• Can I freeze the dough before baking? Yes! You can freeze the dough. Scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls into a freezer bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, place them directly on a baking sheet and bake as usual (you will need to add several minutes to the baking time).
• What if I can’t find chocolate-covered caramel candies? If you can’t find chocolate-covered caramel candies, you can use a combination of caramel and chocolate chips. Simply chop the caramel candies into small pieces and mix them with chocolate chips for a similar effect.

Enjoy this salted caramel chocolate chip cookies recipe with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. They’re a treat everyone will love, perfect for any occasion or a cozy night in!

Looking for a traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe instead, check out my go-to recipe!

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