Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
This Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies recipe is a delightful treat that combines rich chocolate with gooey caramel, creating a cookie that has crispy edges and a soft, fudgy center. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are sure to impress family and friends. The addition of sea salt flakes enhances the flavor, making each bite a heavenly experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of chocolate and caramel creates a deliciously rich taste that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, baking these cookies is a breeze, even for beginners.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday gathering or an everyday snack, these cookies are versatile enough for any event.
- Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it, making it easy to bake fresh cookies whenever the craving hits.
- Customizable Toppings: Feel free to drizzle caramel sauce or dulce de leche on top for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the baking process, gather your essential tools to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop or spoon
Importance of Each Tool
- Stand mixer or hand mixer: These tools make creaming butter and sugars easy, ensuring a light and fluffy texture for your cookie dough.
- Mixing bowls: Having separate bowls allows you to mix dry and wet ingredients efficiently without making a mess.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: These prevent cookies from sticking to the baking sheets, ensuring perfect removal after baking.
Ingredients
This Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies recipe gives you light, crispy edges that are soft and fudgy in the middle, with a rich chocolatey, caramel taste, and sea salt flakes lightly sprinkled on top!
For the Cookies
- 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar (lightly packed)
- 2 Large Eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup Caramel Flavored Chips
- Sea Salt Flakes (for sprinkling over top of cookies)
- Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche (optional, for drizzling over the top of cookies)
How to Make Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Adjust your oven rack to the 2nd level mark (just above center), preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or use silicone baking mats.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking soda
Salt
Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using your stand mixer or hand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment:
1. Beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract:
1. Continue mixing until well blended.
2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
Switching the mixer speed to low:
1. Gradually add in your whisked dry ingredients until just combined.
2. Fold in both chocolate chips and caramel chips gently.
Step 6: Scoop Dough onto Sheets
Using a spoon or cookie scoop (I used the 1 1/2 tablespoon size):
1. Drop dough by the spoonful onto lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches apart.
Step 7: Sprinkle Sea Salt
Lightly sprinkle the tops of each cookie with sea salt flakes.
Step 8: Bake Cookies
Bake in preheated oven for 8–10 minutes at 375ºF (mine baked for about 10 minutes).
Step 9: Cool Cookies
Remove from oven:
1. Allow cooling for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.
Step 10: Drizzle Optional Toppings
Drizzle caramel sauce or dulce de leche over each cooled cookie if desired.
Step 11: Store Properly
Keep stored in an airtight container for up to a week with a slice of bread to maintain softness.
How to Serve Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your cookie experience.
With a Glass of Milk
- Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk for a classic combination that enhances the rich chocolate flavor.
Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Create ice cream sandwiches by placing a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream between two cookies for an indulgent dessert.
Drizzled with More Caramel
- For extra sweetness, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cookies before serving. This adds a lovely gooey texture.
Coffee Companion
- Serve these cookies alongside a warm cup of coffee or espresso. The bold flavors of chocolate and caramel pair beautifully with coffee’s rich notes.
Warm from the Oven
- Enjoy them straight from the oven when they are warm and gooey. This enhances the melting chocolate chips and caramel goodness.
How to Perfect Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
Perfecting your Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies is easy with just a few tips. These will ensure you achieve the best texture and flavor every time.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining dry and wet ingredients, mix just until incorporated to keep cookies soft and fudgy.
- Chill Your Dough: For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading.
- Add Sea Salt Sparingly: A light sprinkle of sea salt on top enhances the sweet flavors without overpowering them.
- Experiment with Mix-Ins: Feel free to add nuts or different types of chocolate chips to customize your cookies.
- Store Properly: To maintain freshness, store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft.
Best Side Dishes for Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
These cookies shine on their own but can be complemented by some delicious side dishes. Here are some great ideas to serve alongside your treats.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A refreshing mix of seasonal fruits balances the sweetness of the cookies.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate flavors.
- Coffee or Espresso: Brewed coffee or espresso highlights the deep chocolate taste, making it an ideal pairing.
- Chocolate Milkshake: For chocolate lovers, a thick chocolate milkshake adds an extra layer of indulgence.
- Cheese Platter: A selection of mild cheeses can provide a savory contrast to the sweet cookies.
- Nutty Trail Mix: A crunchy nutty trail mix can add texture and a healthy element to your dessert spread.
- Whipped Cream: Lightly sweetened whipped cream can serve as a delightful topping when served with ice cream sandwiches.
- Hot Chocolate: On chilly days, serve these cookies with steaming hot chocolate for ultimate comfort.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies, it’s easy to run into some common pitfalls. Here are the mistakes to watch for:
- Skipping the room temperature ingredients – Using cold butter or eggs can result in dense cookies. Always bring these ingredients to room temperature for a better texture.
- Overmixing the dough – Mixing too much can make your cookies tough. Combine until just blended to keep them soft and fudgy.
- Not measuring flour correctly – Too much flour can lead to dry cookies. Use the spoon-and-level method for accurate measurements.
- Ignoring baking time – Baking for too long will cause cookies to harden. Keep an eye on them and take them out when the edges are set but the center is still soft.
- Using stale baking soda – Expired baking soda won’t help your cookies rise. Check the freshness before using it in your recipe.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Place a slice of bread in the container to maintain softness.
Freezing Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
- Freeze uncooked dough balls for up to three months.
- Place dough balls on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.
Reheating Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
- Oven – Preheat to 350ºF, bake for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave – Heat one cookie for about 10-15 seconds for a soft treat.
- Stovetop – Use a skillet on low heat with a lid for a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies unique?
These cookies combine rich chocolate flavor with gooey caramel and a hint of sea salt, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and richness.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Yes! You can swap semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips with dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips based on your preference.
How do I ensure my cookies stay chewy?
To keep your Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies chewy, avoid overbaking and store them properly in an airtight container.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can add crunch and flavor. Feel free to get creative!
Final Thoughts
These Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies are not only delicious but also versatile. You can customize them with various chocolates, nuts, or toppings. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a delightful treat that everyone will love!
Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Indulge in the rich decadence of Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies, a delightful treat that perfectly balances gooey caramel and luscious chocolate. With crispy edges and a soft, fudgy center, these cookies are an irresistible snack for any occasion. The added sprinkle of sea salt enhances the sweet flavors, making every bite a heavenly experience. Whether you’re baking for a special gathering or simply craving something sweet, this easy recipe is sure to impress family and friends alike.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar (lightly packed)
- 2 Large Eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup Caramel Flavored Chips
- Sea Salt Flakes (for sprinkling)
- Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a mixer, beat butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients while mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in chocolate and caramel chips.
- Scoop dough onto prepared sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Sprinkle tops with sea salt.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Cool on wire racks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximately 40g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
