Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

The Ultimate Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Salted caramel chocolate chip cookies represent the ultimate sweet-savory indulgence that crafts ordinary baking into a culinary adventure.

These decadent treats merge classic comfort with gourmet sophistication, elevating the traditional chocolate chip cookie to new heights of deliciousness.

Rich, complex flavors dance across your palate with each perfectly balanced bite.

caramel deep golden notes intertwine seamlessly with chocolate deep intensity, while a delicate salt sprinkle awakens every taste receptor.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe delivers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Crafting these cookies requires minimal technical skill but promises maximum sensory satisfaction.

Prepare to unleash a dessert experience that will have everyone begging for seconds.

Why Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Taste Incredible

  • Indulge in Luxurious Texture Contrast: These cookies offer a stunning blend of crispy edges, soft centers, and gooey caramel pockets that create an irresistible mouthfeel with every single bite.
  • Elevate Classic Comfort with Unexpected Twists: The addition of collagen peptides boosts nutrition while cashews add a delightful crunch, transforming traditional chocolate chip cookies into a sophisticated dessert experience that feels both familiar and exciting.
  • Master Innovative Baking Techniques: This recipe teaches clever techniques like chilling and freezing dough, strategically placing caramel centers, and using precise baking temperatures to achieve bakery-quality cookies right in your home kitchen, perfect for baking enthusiasts wanting to level up their skills.
  • Customize for Any Occasion: Whether you're preparing a quick family treat, hosting a dinner party, or needing a homemade gift, these salted caramel chocolate chip cookies adapt beautifully to multiple settings while delivering maximum deliciousness.

All You Need for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fat and Sweet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender cookie texture with a creamy flavor.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft, chewy cookie with caramelized edges.
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with a warm, sweet aromatic note.
Dry and Structural Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure for the cookie, creating a classic soft texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light.
  • Collagen Peptides: Optional protein supplement that can add subtle nutrition.
Mix-In and Filling Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds chocolate bursts and melty pockets throughout the cookie.
  • Caramel Candy: Creates a gooey center with rich, sweet caramel flavor.
  • Cashews: Provides crunch and nutty contrast to the sweet cookie base.

Baking Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Creamy Base

Grab a mixing bowl and cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.

Step 2: Add Liquid Ingredients

Pour in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until well combined.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Collagen peptides

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Goodness

Fold in chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.

Step 7: Shape Caramel-Filled Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into balls, then flatten each one.

Step 8: Create Caramel Center

Place 1 caramel candy and a few cashews in the center of each flattened dough ball, then carefully re-roll to encase the filling.

Step 9: Prepare for Baking

Freeze the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined tray for 5-10 minutes to help maintain their shape.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until golden around the edges.

Step 11: Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving, letting the caramel center set and flavors meld.

Expert Advice for Perfect Cookies Every Time

  • Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
  • Caramel Placement Trick: Press caramel candy and cashews gently into the center of each cookie dough ball for even distribution.
  • Freeze Before Baking: Quick-freeze cookies for 5-10 minutes to maintain their shape and create a crispy exterior.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
  • Chocolate Chip Distribution: Fold chocolate chips gently to prevent overmixing and ensure even chip placement throughout the dough.

Best Storage for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Refrigerate cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Enjoy fresh cookies within 5-7 days for the best taste and texture. Freeze extra cookies in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months, ensuring they're completely cooled before storing. When ready to eat, thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or warm them gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, chewy consistency.

Pairing Suggestions for Salted Caramel Cookies

  • Pair with Creamy Vanilla Latte: The rich, buttery salted caramel chocolate chip cookies find their perfect match in a smooth, velvety vanilla latte. The coffee's warmth complements the cookie's sweet-salty crunch, creating a delightful flavor explosion.
  • Serve with Salted Caramel Ice Cream: Double down on the caramel goodness by pairing these cookies with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. The cold, creamy texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, chewy cookie, making each bite a decadent experience.
  • Match with Chai Tea: The spicy, aromatic notes of chai tea provide a wonderful balance to the sweet and salty cookie. Its complex blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger cuts through the richness, offering a refreshing palate cleansing effect.
  • Enjoy with Cold Milk: Nothing beats the classic combination of warm cookies and cold milk. The cool, smooth milk helps mellow the intense caramel and chocolate flavors, creating a comforting and nostalgic treat.
  • Nutty Caramel Crunch: Replace cashews with toasted pecans and add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra texture and flavor complexity.
  • Gluten-Free Caramel Dream: Swap regular flour with almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to create a lighter, more delicate cookie with the same rich caramel essence.
  • Vegan Chocolate Caramel Bliss: Use coconut oil instead of butter, flax egg as a replacement, dairy-free chocolate chips, and plant-based caramel sauce to craft a compassionate version of the classic cookie.
  • Dark Chocolate Espresso Fusion: Incorporate espresso powder into the dough and use dark chocolate chips for a more intense, sophisticated flavor profile that complements the caramel's sweetness.
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Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 57 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Salted caramel chocolate chip cookies blend sweet and salty flavors in a perfect harmony of indulgence. Rich chocolate chunks mingle with golden caramel swirls, creating a cookie experience that invites you to savor each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (120 g) flour
  • 3 tablespoons (21 g) vital proteins collagen peptides
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

Sugars and Sweeteners:

  • ⅓ cup (67 g) brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
  • 12 caramel candies

Wet Ingredients and Add-ins:

  • ½ cup (113 g) butter
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup (85 g) chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup (43 g) chopped cashews

Instructions

  1. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter, rich brown sugar, and fine granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
  2. Introduce a single egg and pure vanilla extract, then vigorously mix until the ingredients are fully integrated and the texture appears uniform.
  3. Prepare a separate clean bowl and meticulously whisk together all-purpose flour, kosher salt, baking powder, baking soda, and collagen peptides until completely combined.
  4. Gently incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to ensure minimal overmixing and maintaining a tender cookie texture.
  5. Delicately fold high-quality chocolate chips throughout the dough, distributing them evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.
  6. Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes to enhance flavor development and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  7. Remove chilled dough and shape into uniform round balls, approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) in diameter.
  8. Create a small indentation in each dough ball’s center, carefully placing a soft caramel candy and crunchy cashew pieces inside.
  9. Carefully re-roll the dough to encase the caramel and nuts completely, ensuring no filling is exposed.
  10. Transfer shaped cookies to a parchment-lined baking tray and briefly freeze for 5-10 minutes to solidify their structure.
  11. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
  12. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on the baking tray, permitting them to set and develop a perfect chewy texture.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough enhances flavor development and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
  • Freezing cookie balls briefly before baking creates a perfectly crisp exterior with a soft, chewy center.
  • Caramel candy center provides a delightful surprise and adds rich, gooey texture to each cookie.
  • Collagen peptides boost protein content and can contribute to a slightly more tender cookie texture.
  • Cashews offer a delicious crunch and nutty complement to the sweet caramel and chocolate chips.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and more consistent cookie results.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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