Decadent Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Gooey Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Chocolate chip cookies just got a decadent upgrade with these irresistible caramel stuffed chocolate chip cookies that promise pure indulgence.

Gooey caramel nestled inside rich, soft cookie dough creates a mouthwatering surprise in every bite.

The combination of warm, melty chocolate and smooth caramel delivers an unexpected twist on a classic treat.

Soft, chewy edges give way to a molten center that oozes with sweet, golden caramel.

Each cookie offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

The aroma of freshly baked cookies will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to taste this delightful creation.

Bake these cookies and watch as they become an instant favorite that disappears in moments.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Adventure

  • Butter and Sugar Fusion

Melt butter in a cozy mixing bowl, letting it cool down. Whisk dark brown and white sugars into a sweet dance, creating a golden base for deliciousness.

  • Wet Ingredient Magic

Pour in vanilla, crack eggs, and whisk until the mixture transforms into a glossy, light-colored dream that hints at the goodness to come.

  • Flour Power

Gently fold flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt into the mixture. Keep a few flour streaks for that perfect homemade touch.

  • Chocolate Love

Sprinkle in chocolate chips and chopped chocolate, folding them through the dough with tender care.

  • Cookie Preparation

Scoop generous dough portions onto parchment-lined sheets. Chill in the refrigerator to let flavors mingle and develop.

  • Caramel Heart

Roll chilled dough into smooth balls. Nestle a chocolate-covered caramel in the center, wrapping the dough around it like a sweet surprise.

  • Baking Brilliance

Slide cookies into a preheated 350°F oven. Bake until edges turn golden and centers look slightly soft.

  • Final Flourish

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet, allowing them to set. Sprinkle with flaky salt for a gourmet finish that elevates every bite.

Mix-Ins That Elevate These Cookies Instantly

  • Caramel Crunch Cookie Secrets: Expert Baking Hacks
  • Chocolate Chip Variety Boost: Experiment with different chocolate types like milk, white, or dark chocolate chips to create unique flavor profiles that complement the gooey caramel center. Mix and match for a personalized cookie experience.
  • Caramel Swap Strategy: Replace chocolate-covered caramels with soft caramel squares or homemade salted caramel for an extra decadent twist. Soft caramels work best to ensure a molten, oozing center when baked.
  • Freezer Dough Trick: Make cookie dough balls in advance and freeze them for up to 3 months. Store in an airtight container and bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time for perfectly golden edges.
  • Salt Sensation Hack: Sprinkle different finishing salts like Maldon sea salt or pink Himalayan salt to elevate the sweet-savory balance. The salt crystals create delightful flavor bursts that complement the rich caramel and chocolate.
  • Storage Smart Move: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to maintain softness and prevent cookies from becoming dry or crumbly.

Serving Caramel Cookies Warm or Cold

  • Sweet Surprise Center: Tuck a gooey caramel square right in the middle of each cookie for an unexpected molten burst of sweetness that will make everyone's eyes light up.
  • Decadent Dessert Plate: Serve these warm cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a heavenly contrast between the hot, soft cookie and the cool, creamy ice cream.
  • Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair these rich chocolate chip caramel cookies with a steaming mug of dark roast coffee or rich hot chocolate to enhance the deep chocolate and caramel flavors.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cooled cookies between parchment paper in a cute gift box tied with a ribbon, making them a perfect homemade treat for friends, neighbors, or special occasions.

Keep Caramel Cookies Soft and Chewy

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Seal cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cookies maintain delicious texture for up to 5 days at room temperature.
  • Freezer-Friendly Trick: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls individually in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bag for convenient future baking. Frozen dough stays fresh for 3 months, ready to enjoy anytime.
  • Caramel Care: Keep chocolate-covered caramel centers stable by storing cookies in cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. Avoid temperature fluctuations to prevent chocolate melting or caramel separation.
  • Quick Refresh Method: Revive slightly hardened cookies by warming 8-10 seconds in microwave or placing in 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes. Restores soft, gooey texture and brings back fresh-baked sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Calories: 190 kcal

Servings: 25

Everything You’ll Need for Caramel Cookies

For Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep molasses richness and helps create a chewy cookie texture with a complex caramel undertone.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie edge with perfect golden-brown color.
  • Vanilla Extract: Elevates the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic essence that complements chocolate beautifully.
For Binding and Moisture:
  • Salted Butter: Melted butter creates a dense, rich cookie with enhanced flavor and softer texture.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.
  • Egg Yolk: Contributes extra richness, moisture, and helps create a more tender cookie crumb.
For Chocolate and Caramel Components:
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Delivers classic chocolate burst with balanced sweetness.
  • Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Ensures even chocolate distribution throughout the cookie.
  • Chopped Dark Chocolate Bar: Provides intense chocolate flavor with potential for melty chocolate pockets.
  • Chocolate-Covered Sea Salt Caramels: Creates a luxurious surprise center with sweet-salty contrast.
For Dry Ingredients and Seasoning:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the fundamental structure of the cookie with proper texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread with a beautiful golden color.
  • Baking Powder: Provides additional lift and tenderness to the cookie.
  • Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

Tools to Bake Gooey Caramel Goodness

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and easily.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending sugars and wet ingredients to create a glossy mixture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Rubber spatula or wooden spoon: Great for folding in dry ingredients and chocolate chips.
  • 3-tablespoon cookie scoop: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized cookie dough balls.
  • Parchment-lined baking sheets: Ensures cookies don't stick and easy cleanup.
  • Cooling rack: Optional, but helpful for letting cookies cool completely.
Print
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Decadent Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Decadent Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Indulgent caramel stuffed chocolate chip cookies offer a delightful twist on classic treats. Gooey caramel centers nestled within rich chocolate chip dough create an irresistible dessert you cannot resist sampling.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226 g / 8 oz) salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 2 ½ cups (325 g / 11.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (165 g / 5.8 oz) dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (110 g / 3.9 oz) granulated sugar
  • 12 Private Selection chocolate-covered sea salt caramels
  • ½ cup (90 g / 3.2 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) chopped dark chocolate bar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Melt butter in a large mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly, creating a rich foundation for the cookie dough.
  2. Sugar Fusion: Blend dark brown and granulated sugars until achieving a seamless, uniform consistency that promises deep caramelized notes.
  3. Wet Ingredient Emulsion: Whisk vanilla extract, whole egg, and additional egg yolk vigorously for one minute, transforming the mixture into a glossy, lighter-colored emulsion that will provide structure and moisture.
  4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Gently fold all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt into the wet ingredients, maintaining subtle flour streaks to ensure a tender cookie texture.
  5. Chocolate Composition: Thoroughly blend semi-sweet chocolate chips, miniature chocolate chips, and chopped dark chocolate throughout the dough, ensuring complete and even distribution.
  6. Chilling Protocol: Portion dough using a three-tablespoon scoop onto parchment-lined surfaces, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to develop flavor complexity and stabilize cookie structure.
  7. Caramel Encapsulation: Roll chilled dough into spheres, creating a central cavity to nestle a chocolate-covered caramel, carefully sealing the caramel within the dough’s protective layer.
  8. Baking Technique: Preheat oven to 350°F, arrange stuffed dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheets with adequate spacing, and bake for 12 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform golden browning.
  9. Finishing Touch: Rest baked cookies on the hot baking sheet for five minutes to set, then garnish with a delicate sprinkle of flaky salt to enhance the sweet-savory profile before serving.

Notes

  • Chill Dough for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes to develop deeper, more complex taste and improve cookie structure.
  • Master Caramel Sealing Technique: Carefully encase caramel completely within dough to prevent leakage during baking, ensuring a perfect molten center.
  • Precise Portioning Matters: Use a three-tablespoon scoop for consistent, generously sized cookies that bake evenly and look professionally crafted.
  • Salt Finale Enhances Sweetness: Sprinkle flaky salt right after baking to create a gourmet flavor contrast and elevate the entire cookie experience.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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