The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re a cookie lover who’s always on the hunt for that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and irresistibly chewy, you’ve *got* to try The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how this one turns out every single time — crunchy caramel bits meet gooey chocolate in a cookie that’s soft and chewy in all the right places. Trust me, once you make these, your cookie game will officially level up.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient plays a key role in crafting the chewy, caramel-chocolate perfection here. Using room temperature butter and eggs helps the dough come together smoothly, while dark chocolate adds richness without overpowering the caramel flavor.

• 5-Minute Hard Caramel: This is the star—providing those crunchy caramel bites inside the cookie, made easily without a candy thermometer.
• Light Brown Sugar: Packed and providing moisture and a subtle molasses flavor, which is essential for chewiness.
• Unsalted Butter: At room temperature, for creamy mixing and controlling the saltiness.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar and helps with cookie spread and crispness.
• Real Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth—don’t skimp here!
• Large Eggs: Also room temperature, helping with structure and tenderness.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Work together for proper lift and texture.
• Sea Salt: Key for flavor balance and enhancing the sweetness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure; be careful not to over-measure to keep things tender.
• Dark Chocolate: Either chopped or chips, delivering gooey, melty pockets of chocolate bliss.
• Sea Salt Flakes (optional): Sprinkled on top before baking for that irresistible salty crunch.

Variations

I love tweaking this recipe now and then to suit different occasions or cravings. You can really make it your own while still enjoying all the chewy, caramel-chocolate goodness.

• Chocolate Swap: Sometimes I use milk chocolate or even white chocolate chunks, and it changes the vibe while still being great.
• Nuts Added: For a bit of crunch, toasted pecans or walnuts mixed in bring a lovely texture contrast that my family adores.
• Sea Salt Variation: I’ve tried finishing with flaky smoked salt for a more complex flavor—it’s unexpected but so good.
• Healthier Twist: Use half white whole wheat flour, and swap some butter with coconut oil for a slightly lighter cookie that still tastes amazing.

How to Make The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Make the 5-Minute Hard Caramel

This step is the secret to those crunchy caramel bits scattered through the cookies. You’ll melt sugar with a bit of water until it turns amber, then immediately pour it out on parchment and let it harden. I learned that skipping the candy thermometer saves time, but you’ve got to watch closely — the sugar will change color fast once it starts bubbling. Once cooled, break into small chunks. These will be your pockets of caramel magic!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the room temperature butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. The texture here is everything because it traps air that helps your cookies rise just right. You’ll notice the mixture becomes pale and smooth, which means you’re on track.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then pour in your vanilla extract—the real stuff, please! This layer of flavor really shines through, and the eggs help bind everything together for that chewy texture.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed. Then, gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Over-mixing here can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as you don’t see dry streaks.

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate and Caramel Chunks

Using a spatula, gently fold in the coarsely chopped dark chocolate and the hard caramel pieces. This part is *so* satisfying because you get to see those delicious chunks peek through the dough. I like to save a few chunks to sprinkle on top of the cookies before baking for a pretty finish.

Step 6: Scoop and Sprinkle Sea Salt

Scoop cookie dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets—about tablespoon-sized scoops work well. Before baking, gently press a few extra caramel or chocolate pieces on top, then sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt. This salt sprinkle takes these cookies from good to *next level*. Don’t skip it!

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft. I find that removing them a bit early helps keep that chewy center. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting lets them set up perfectly without losing that chewiness.

How to Serve The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a small sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking—it brings out a little salty crunch that perfectly cuts the sweetness. Sometimes, a tiny drizzle of warm caramel or a dusting of powdered sugar on special occasions adds a beautiful finishing touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies are great alongside a cold glass of milk (classic for a reason!), a hot cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert twist. My kids love dunking them in cocoa or pairing with a simple fruit salad for a balance of sweet and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged them on a rustic wooden board with little bowls of extra caramel sauce and sea salt so guests can customize bites. Gift-giving? Wrap a few in parchment paper tied with twine and a small handwritten note—everyone appreciates a homemade treat that looks lovely, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, and they remain chewy and delicious. Adding a slice of bread in the container helps keep them soft by maintaining moisture—trust me, it works wonders!

Freezing

This dough freezes beautifully if you want to prep ahead. Scoop dough balls onto a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time. It’s a huge time-saver for cookie cravings on demand.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked vibe, pop cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds. This revives the melty chocolate and softens the caramel bits without drying the cookie out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my baking repertoire—not just because of the incredible flavors and textures but because it’s one of those recipes I feel confident sharing with anyone. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, it’s reliable, delicious, and honestly a crowd-pleaser every time. So grab your ingredients, get comfy in the kitchen, and whip up a batch—you’ll be thanking me (and so will everyone you share them with!).

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