Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you are a fan of cookie recipes that combine sweet with a touch of salty magic, these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies will soon become your go-to treat. They boast a tender, buttery dough packed with rich chocolate chips and gooey caramel bits, all elevated by just the right sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Every bite offers a luscious balance of flavors and textures that feels indulgent yet utterly comforting. Whether you’re baking them for a cozy afternoon or a special gathering, these cookies deliver joy that’s both classic and a little extraordinary.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to baking those unforgettable Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies. Each element plays a crucial role, from the flour providing structure to the caramel bits offering that gooey surprise, making this recipe both simple and superb.

• 2 cups minus 2 tablespoons cake flour: Offers a tender crumb for a soft, delicate cookie texture.
• 1 ⅔ cups bread flour: Adds the perfect chewiness that balances the cake flour’s softness.
• 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda: Ensures your cookies rise perfectly and spread just enough.
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Helps achieve that light, airy texture everyone loves.
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and prepares the palate for those salted caramel notes.
• 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter: Creamed to creamy perfection, it enriches the dough with buttery goodness.
• 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a gentle molasses flavor that deepens sweetness.
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: Contributes to that ideal cookie crunch and sweetness balance.
• 2 large eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness for perfect rise and texture.
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Injects warm, aromatic depth to the cookie dough.
• 1 bag dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips (10 ounces): Classic melty spots of chocolate that satisfy every chocolate lover’s craving.
• 1 heaping cup caramel bits or 1 (9-ounce) bag caramel baking chips: The star ingredient that melts into sweet pockets of caramel bliss.
• Flaky sea salt for topping: A sprinkle to finish that creates a delightful contrast and enhances all the sweetness.

How to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Sift and Combine Your Dry Ingredients

Start by sifting together the cake flour, bread flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt into a mixing bowl. This not only ensures even distribution but also prevents any lumps, giving your cookie dough a smooth foundation that bakes evenly and rises beautifully.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Next, use a mixer with the paddle attachment to cream the unsalted butter with both types of sugar until the mixture is very light and fluffy. This step is key because the aeration creates that perfect tenderness and soft texture once baked, making your Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies utterly irresistible.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract. This enriches the dough, helps with structure, and infuses subtle sweetness, ensuring every bite of cookie is full of depth and aroma.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients and Mix Just Until Combined

Lower the mixer speed and add your sifted dry ingredients until just combined, usually about 5 to 10 seconds. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so it’s important to keep this step gentle to maintain the tender texture that Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies are known for.

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Caramel Bits

Gently mix in the chocolate chips and caramel bits at low speed until evenly distributed. These will bring delightful bursts of flavor and gooey caramel pockets that melt wonders in your mouth during baking.

Step 6: Refrigerate the Dough

Press plastic wrap against the dough and chill for 24 to 36 hours. Patience here is rewarded with a deeper flavor and better texture. The dough can be kept refrigerated for up to 72 hours if baking in batches, making it very convenient for a weekend baking project or last-minute treats.

Step 7: Prepare to Bake

When you’re ready, remove the dough and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften slightly, which helps with easier scooping and even baking. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Step 8: Scoop, Salt, and Bake

Scoop six generous 2-ounce mounds of dough onto your baking sheet — roughly the size of golf balls works perfectly. Lightly sprinkle each mound with flaky sea salt to enhance the sweet-salty interplay. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes until the edges turn golden but the centers remain soft, capturing that perfect cookie consistency.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack after about 10 minutes, letting them cool a bit more so they finish setting but stay irresistibly soft inside. Repeat with the remaining dough or refrigerate for baking another day.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

To really make these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies shine, consider a light dusting of extra flaky sea salt just before serving. It instantly amps up their savory-sweet appeal. You might also drizzle some melted caramel or chocolate over the top for an impressive presentation that’s as delicious as it looks.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a classic glass of cold milk to balance the richness or a cup of strong coffee or espresso for an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up. Ice cream, especially vanilla bean or salted caramel flavor, makes an irresistible accompaniment, turning your cookies into a decadent dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Feel like taking these cookies up a notch? Sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies for an elevated ice cream sandwich treat. Alternatively, serve them warm on a platter alongside small bowls of caramel sauce and chocolate ganache for dipping, inviting everyone to customize their bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your baked Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, making them perfect for nibbling throughout the week or surprising visitors with a homemade treat.

Freezing

You can freeze both baked cookies and dough. Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag to keep for up to 3 months. For dough, form into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

Warm cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or briefly in a low oven to revive their soft, melty texture. This quick step transforms your leftovers back to that freshly baked sensation, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings any time.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake and bread flour?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but the combination of cake and bread flours gives these cookies their signature tender-chewy texture. Using just all-purpose may slightly change that delightful contrast, but the cookies will still taste fantastic.

Why should I refrigerate the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough allows the flavors to develop and the butter to firm up. This results in thicker cookies with a better texture and prevents spreading during baking, ensuring your cookies maintain that perfect shape and balance.

What is the role of sea salt on top of the cookies?

Sprinkling flaky sea salt on top enhances the sweet caramel and chocolate by adding a sharp, salty counterpoint. This contrast makes the flavors pop and provides a more sophisticated taste experience.

Can I substitute caramel bits with caramel sauce?

Using caramel sauce in place of bits won’t work as well because it would melt into the dough and affect texture and baking time. Caramel bits are designed to hold their shape during baking while softening inside, creating those delightful pockets of caramel.

How do I prevent my cookies from being too flat?

Make sure the dough is well chilled before baking and measure ingredients accurately. Also, don’t overmix your dough once the dry ingredients are added. These steps help the cookies keep their shape and achieve that perfect soft yet thick look.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you try these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, they will earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection. Their vibrant combination of buttery dough, rich chocolate, luscious caramel, and that touch of salt feels like a small celebration in every bite. So go ahead, bake a batch for yourself or loved ones — the smiles that follow are absolutely worth every delicious moment spent making them.

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