Caramel chocolate cookies are a decadent twist on a classic, offering a surprise gooey center that elevates the humble chocolate chip cookie to new heights. The secret lies in perfectly encasing a soft caramel within the cookie dough, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience. This recipe for caramel chocolate cookies is designed for both novice and experienced bakers, ensuring a professional-tasting result with minimal fuss. It’s the ideal treat to impress guests or simply to indulge your own sweet cravings.

Caramel Stuffed Cookies: Sweet Surprise!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) light brown sugar, (packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, (room temperature)
- 2 ¼ cups (282 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, (plus extra for sprinkling over aluminum foil)
- 2 cups (336 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 24 soft caramels, (unwrapped, flattened to a circle shape (about 1 ½-inches in diameter))
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to chill the filled cookie dough. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Take 2 tablespoons of dough, flatten, place a flattened caramel in the center, and seal completely. Repeat for all caramels.
- Place stuffed cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and chill for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and centers are slightly soft. Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Pro tips
- For perfectly soft caramels, ensure they are at room temperature before flattening. Cold caramels will be difficult to work with and may crack.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added; mix just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Chilling the dough is crucial! It prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps the caramel stay in place, ensuring a beautiful, gooey center. Skipping this step makes the cookies spread too thin and lose their shape.
These caramel stuffed chocolate chip cookies are a true delight, combining classic flavors with an irresistible surprise. Enjoy baking them and share the joy with friends and family!
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