The Best Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe: Soft, Chewy & Irresistible

Chocolate and caramel are a match made in dessert heaven, and when combined into cookies, they create a rich, gooey treat that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply indulging in a sweet craving, chocolate caramel cookies are the perfect choice.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best chocolate caramel cookie recipe, tips to keep your cookies soft, and flavor pairings that complement the chocolate-caramel combo. Get ready to bake the ultimate chewy, fudgy cookies with a gooey caramel center!

The Ultimate Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe

Ingredients for Chocolate Caramel Cookies

To make soft and chewy chocolate caramel cookies, you’ll need:

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Extras

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 12 soft caramel candies (cut in half)
• 2 tablespoons milk

Chocolate Caramel Cookies-Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Eggs & Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.

Step 5: Combine Dry & Wet Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until well combined.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies Baking & Finishing Touches

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

At this stage, gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips using a rubber spatula. This ensures even distribution without overmixing, which can make the dough too dense. If you want a richer chocolate flavor, consider using dark chocolate chunks or a mix of milk, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate for a complex flavor profile.

For extra decadence, you can also add toffee bits or chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) to enhance the caramel’s buttery flavor.

Step 7: Shape Dough & Add Caramel

This step is crucial for achieving that perfect gooey caramel center!

1. Scoop the dough – Use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookie sizes.
2. Flatten the dough – Gently press each dough ball into a small disk.
3. Add caramel – Place half a soft caramel candy in the center of each flattened dough piece. Using pre-cut caramel squares (such as Kraft soft caramels) makes this easier.
4. Seal the cookie – Fold the edges over the caramel and roll the dough into a smooth ball, making sure the caramel is completely covered.

Pro Tip: If your dough is sticky, chill it in the fridge for 15 minutes before rolling. This helps control spreading while baking and ensures thicker cookies with soft centers.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Place cookie dough balls 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet to allow for spreading.

• Bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 9-11 minutes.
• The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center but set around the edges.
• If desired, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for a sweet-salty balance.

Why Slightly Undercook?
Cookies continue baking on the hot sheet after removal. Letting them set this way ensures a chewy, fudgy texture rather than a crisp, dry one.

Step 9: Cool & Enjoy

Once removed from the oven:

1. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes – This prevents breakage as the caramel is still molten.
2. Transfer to a wire rack – Allow to cool completely before storing.

Serving Tip: Warm them slightly before eating to enjoy the melted caramel center. Pair with vanilla ice cream or a cold glass of milk for the ultimate treat!

Why Chocolate and Caramel Are a Perfect Match

The combination of chocolate and caramel is one of the most beloved in the dessert world. The contrast between rich, slightly bitter chocolate and sweet, buttery caramel creates a depth of flavor that satisfies all taste buds. But what makes these two ingredients work so well together?

The Science Behind the Perfect Pairing

Chocolate contains cocoa solids that provide deep, earthy flavors with a touch of bitterness, while caramel is made from heated sugar and butter, resulting in a smooth, velvety sweetness. The balance between bitterness and sweetness makes this combination irresistible.

Additionally, caramel brings a chewy, gooey texture that contrasts beautifully with chocolate’s firm, melt-in-your-mouth feel. This textural difference keeps each bite exciting and satisfying.

Types of Chocolate and Caramel Combinations

• Milk Chocolate & Caramel – The most common pairing, as milk chocolate’s sweetness complements caramel’s buttery notes.
• Dark Chocolate & Caramel – A more sophisticated choice; dark chocolate’s deep cocoa flavor balances caramel’s richness.
• Salted Caramel & Chocolate – Adding a sprinkle of sea salt enhances both flavors, creating an addictive sweet-salty experience.

Popular Desserts Featuring Chocolate and Caramel

Many famous desserts feature this classic duo, including:

• Chocolate caramel brownies – A rich, fudgy base with swirls of melted caramel.
• Turtle cookies – Chocolate cookies topped with caramel and pecans.
• Caramel-filled chocolates – Found in brands like Ghirardelli, Lindt, and Godiva.

No matter how you combine them, chocolate and caramel create a harmonious, mouthwatering dessert experience!

What Flavors Go Well with Chocolate and Caramel?

While chocolate and caramel are already an iconic duo, adding complementary flavors can elevate them even further. Whether you’re making cookies, cakes, or drinks, here are some amazing flavor pairings to try.

1. Sea Salt – The Secret Ingredient for Balance

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the sweetness of caramel while also highlighting the deep cocoa notes of chocolate. The salt cuts through the richness, preventing the dessert from being overly sweet.

Best Ways to Use It:

• Sprinkle Maldon sea salt over freshly baked chocolate caramel cookies.
• Use salted caramel sauce instead of regular caramel.

2. Nuts for Crunch & Flavor

Nuts add a nutty, toasted depth that enhances both chocolate and caramel’s complexity.

Best Nuts to Use:

• Pecans – Buttery and slightly sweet, perfect in cookies and brownies.
• Almonds – A classic choice that complements caramel’s rich texture.
• Hazelnuts – Pair well with dark chocolate for a Nutella-like flavor.

3. Espresso & Coffee – Enhancing the Cocoa Notes

Chocolate and caramel already have naturally occurring coffee-like notes, so adding real espresso or coffee deepens their richness.

How to Use It:

• Add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to chocolate cookie dough.
• Pair chocolate caramel cookies with a latte or cappuccino for an indulgent treat.

4. Cinnamon & Warm Spices

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and even a touch of cayenne pepper can enhance the warmth of caramel while deepening chocolate’s complexity.

How to Use It:

• Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to your cookie dough for a cozy flavor twist.
• Dust cinnamon on top of warm chocolate caramel cookies.

By experimenting with these flavors, you can customize your chocolate caramel cookies for any occasion!

Secrets to Keeping Cookies Soft and Chewy

One of the biggest challenges when baking cookies is keeping them soft and chewy for days. Dry, crumbly cookies can be disappointing, but with a few key tricks, you can maintain that fresh-from-the-oven texture.

1. Use More Brown Sugar Than White Sugar

Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds extra moisture to cookies, making them softer and chewier. White sugar, on the other hand, creates a crispier texture.

Best Ratio:

• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated white sugar

2. Don’t Overbake – Bake Slightly Under

Cookies continue cooking even after you remove them from the oven. For the softest cookies:

• Bake until the edges are just set, but the center still looks slightly underdone.
• Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring.

3. Store Cookies Properly

To keep cookies soft for days, follow these storage tips:

• Place a slice of white bread in the cookie container – the cookies absorb moisture from the bread.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Avoid refrigerating, as cold air dries out cookies.

4. Add a Teaspoon of Cornstarch

Cornstarch helps cookies retain moisture and gives them a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Many bakeries use this trick to keep cookies fresh longer.

5. Chill the Dough Before Baking

Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking prevents cookies from spreading too much, ensuring a thicker, chewier texture.

By following these baking secrets, you’ll always have perfectly soft, chewy chocolate caramel cookies!

How Do Bakeries Keep Their Cookies Soft?

Ever wonder why cookies from bakeries stay soft and fresh longer than homemade ones? Professional bakers use a mix of techniques to maintain the perfect chewy texture. Here are the top bakery secrets to keeping cookies soft and delicious.

1. Higher Fat Content for Moisture

Bakeries often use extra butter or oil in their cookie recipes to retain moisture. Butter creates a rich, flavorful cookie, while oil (such as vegetable or coconut oil) adds moisture without making cookies greasy.

Pro Tip:

• Try using an extra tablespoon of butter in your recipe for a richer taste.
• Substitute half of the butter with vegetable oil to keep cookies extra soft.

2. Chilling the Dough for Enhanced Texture

Many professional bakers chill their cookie dough before baking. This prevents excessive spreading, creating a thicker, chewier texture.

How Long to Chill Dough?

• 30 minutes – Helps control spreading.
• 2-4 hours – Develops deeper flavor.
• Overnight – Results in a richer, chewier cookie with a slightly caramelized flavor.

3. Underbaking for That Soft Center

Bakeries intentionally underbake their cookies by 1-2 minutes. Cookies that are taken out of the oven while still slightly soft in the middle stay chewy longer.

How to Do This at Home?

• Remove cookies when the edges are set but the center looks slightly underdone.
• Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

4. Baking at the Right Temperature

Baking at too high a temperature can make cookies dry and crisp. Most bakeries bake cookies at 325°F to 350°F for even cooking.

• 325°F (163°C) – For softer, chewier cookies.
• 350°F (175°C) – A balance of chewy and crisp.

5. Storing Cookies for Maximum Freshness

Bakeries use airtight containers or packaging to maintain moisture in cookies.

Storage Tips for Soft Cookies:

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Place a slice of white bread in the container – the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread.
• Avoid refrigerating cookies, as cold air dries them out faster.

By using these bakery secrets, you can keep your homemade chocolate caramel cookies just as soft and chewy as your favorite bakery treats!

FAQ-Chocolate Caramel Cookies

1. Is chocolate and caramel a good combination?

Yes! Chocolate and caramel create a perfect balance of flavors—chocolate’s deep richness enhances caramel’s smooth, buttery sweetness. This duo is a classic in everything from cookies to cakes and candy bars.

2. What is caramel chocolate called?

Caramel-infused chocolate is often labeled as:

• Caramel-filled chocolate (such as Ghirardelli caramel squares).
• Caramel milk chocolate (often found in candy bars like Milky Way).

3. What flavors go well with chocolate and caramel?

Chocolate and caramel pair well with:

• Sea salt – Enhances the sweetness with a slight contrast.
• Coffee & Espresso – Deepens the cocoa flavor.
• Nuts (pecans, almonds, hazelnuts) – Adds crunch and a roasted flavor.
• Cinnamon & Spices – Creates a warm, comforting flavor.

4. What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft?

Using brown sugar, cornstarch, and a slightly underbaked method ensures cookies stay chewy and moist. Brown sugar’s moisture content is key to a softer texture.

5. How do bakeries keep their cookies soft?

Bakeries use extra butter, high-humidity storage, and chilling dough to keep cookies soft longer. They also slightly underbake their cookies for that chewy, gooey bite.

6. What is the secret to the best cookies?

The best cookies come from:

• Using high-quality ingredients (real butter, fresh eggs, pure vanilla).
• Chilling the dough before baking.
• Not overmixing the batter (to avoid tough cookies).
• Baking at the right temperature and slightly underbaking for softness.

This FAQ section covers all your chocolate caramel cookie questions—helping you bake the softest, chewiest cookies possible!

Chocolate Caramel Cookies – Recipe Recap

Now that you have all the tips, tricks, and techniques, you’re ready to bake the best chocolate caramel cookies ever!

Recipe Recap:

1. Mix dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt).
2. Cream butter & sugars for a fluffy base.
3. Add eggs & vanilla for richness.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients for the perfect dough.
5. Fold in chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.
6. Shape dough around caramel pieces and roll into balls.
7. Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes, slightly underbaking for softness.
8. Cool and enjoy the gooey caramel center!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✔️ Soft & Chewy – Thanks to brown sugar and chilling the dough.
✔️ Rich Chocolate Flavor – With extra chocolate chips for indulgence.
✔️ Gooey Caramel Center – A surprise in every bite!
✔️ Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for parties, gifts, or late-night cravings.

Looking for more delicious cookie recipes? Check out Tasty Joy’s Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies Recipe.

With these expert baking tips, you’ll always have perfect chocolate caramel cookies—soft, chewy, and packed with gooey caramel goodness. Happy baking!