Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that masterfully balances sweetness and a hint of saltiness, this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are wonderfully soft with pockets of gooey caramel and chunks of rich dark chocolate, all crowned with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Every bite delivers a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that feel like a warm hug from your oven. Whether for a cozy night in or impressing friends, this recipe will become your go-to favorite faster than you can say “cookie!”

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, from the creamy butter that gives softness to the rich chocolate chunks and sweet pockets of caramel that burst in every bite.

• 1 1/2 cups flour: The base that creates the perfect tender crumb for your cookies.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be soft and chewy.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter: Brings richness and moisture, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds depth and a subtle molasses flavor, keeping the cookies tender.
• 1/4 cup sugar: Brings the sweetness and balances the saltiness from the caramel and sea salt.
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, aromatic qualities.
• 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to softness.
• 2 cups dark chocolate chunks: Melted in places, these chunks provide a bittersweet punch that cuts through the caramel’s sweetness.
• 1 1/2 cups caramel baking pieces: The stars of the show, offering chewy pockets of luscious caramel throughout.
• Flaked sea salt: Sprinkled on top, it enhances the overall flavor with a delightful salty crunch.

How to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This small step makes a big difference in ensuring your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda until fully combined. This ensures your leavening agent is evenly distributed for perfect texture.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This step creates the ideal structure for soft, tender cookies.

Step 4: Add Vanilla and Egg

Mix in the vanilla extract and the egg until fully incorporated. This adds flavor and binds your ingredients for that perfect dough consistency.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture into your wet ingredients on low speed. Mix just until the dough comes together—overmixing can make the cookies tough, so patience here is key!

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate and Caramel Chunks

Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of the dark chocolate chunks and 1 cup of the caramel baking pieces. This ensures every bite of your cookie is packed with deliciously gooey surprises.

Step 7: Chill the Dough

Transfer your dough and mixing bowl into the freezer for 30 minutes. Chilling prevents spreading while baking and helps maintain those beautiful, chunky pockets of chocolate and caramel.

Step 8: Scoop Cookie Dough

Use a medium ice cream scoop to portion out the dough onto your prepared baking sheet, giving enough space between each scoop for spreading.

Step 9: Bake Until Golden

Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes, or until they turn lightly golden brown around the edges but remain soft in the center.

Step 10: Add a Touch of Salt

Right after removing the cookies from the oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt atop each one. This finishing touch perfectly compliments the sweet caramel and chocolate chunks.

Step 11: Cool and Repeat

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack, then repeat the process with the remaining dough.

Step 12: Enjoy!

Dive right in and savor these heavenly Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies fresh and warm, or store them for later indulgence.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of additional flaky sea salt or a drizzle of melted caramel can elevate these cookies even more. For a festive touch, add crushed toffee bits or chopped nuts right on top before serving.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk, a cup of rich coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. Their sweet and salty profile complements creamy and cold beverages beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider serving these cookies stacked in a mason jar, tied with a rustic ribbon for gifting. You could also build cookie sandwiches with a layer of homemade caramel or marshmallow fluff between two cookies for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This keeps them soft and chewy, while preventing the caramel chunks from drying out.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined tray for up to three months. When ready, bake straight from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time for perfectly fresh cookies anytime.

Reheating

Refresh leftover cookies by warming them in a 300-degree oven for 3-5 minutes. This melts the chocolate chunks and softens the caramel back to that gooey perfection you fell in love with.

FAQs

Can I use regular caramel candies instead of caramel baking pieces?

Regular caramel candies can work if chopped into small pieces, but baking pieces are specially formulated to hold their shape and melt evenly during baking. They give the best texture and prevent caramel from spreading too much.

Is it better to use dark chocolate chunks, chips, or chopped bars?

Chunks or chopped bars are preferred as they create bigger pockets of melty chocolate, which contrast beautifully with the chewy caramel pieces. Chips tend to hold their shape more and don’t provide the same gooey experience.

What if I don’t have flaky sea salt? Can I skip it?

While not essential, flaky sea salt is highly recommended because it adds a crunch and bursts of salty flavor that balance the sweetness. If you don’t have it, a light sprinkle of kosher salt can work as a substitute.

How do I prevent the caramel from leaking out too much during baking?

Chilling your dough before baking is key to minimizing spilling. Also, using caramel baking pieces designed for cookies helps them maintain shape better without melting excessively.

Can this recipe be adapted to be dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chunks. Be sure to check the caramel pieces’ ingredients or find vegan caramel substitutes for the best results.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe really brings the best of both worlds—sweet and salty, gooey and crunchy, simple ingredients transformed into pure cookie bliss. I can’t wait for you to try baking these at home and making them part of your favorite dessert rotation. Trust me, these cookies have a way of stealing hearts, one irresistible bite at a time!

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