Name: The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 batch 5-Minute Hard Caramel; 1 1/2 cups (330 g) light brown sugar (packed); 16 tablespoons (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature; 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 1 ½ tablespoons (19 g) real vanilla extract; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 3 ¼ cups (439 g) all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups (255 g) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped or chips; Sea salt flakes for topping, optional

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate dessert that combines gooey caramel, rich chocolate, and that perfect chewy texture, look no further — I’m sharing The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that I absolutely love. These cookies have been a game changer in my kitchen, and once you try them, I’m confident you’ll agree they’re the best homemade treat to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your friends.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Unforgettable Texture: These cookies strike the perfect balance between chewy centers and crispy edges every single time.
Decadent Flavors: The blend of salty caramel bits with dark chocolate brings an irresistible flavor combo your taste buds will adore.
Simple Process: Despite the fancy taste, the recipe is straightforward and uses a one-bowl method—perfect for busy bakers or last-minute cravings.
No Candy Thermometer Needed: I discovered this trick to make hard caramel easily in just five minutes without any special equipment.

A round cookie with a light golden-brown color is placed on a square white paper on a white plate with a speckled rim. The cookie is broken into two uneven halves, showing a soft and slightly chewy texture with melting dark chocolate chips inside. The background is a white marbled texture, and part of a white cloth is visible on the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, salted caramel cookies, chocolate chip cookie recipes, homemade cookie recipes, best chewy cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this cookie recipe lies in the combination of rich, buttery dough with chewy caramel pieces that melt into luscious pockets surrounded by generous chunks of dark chocolate. Picking quality ingredients ensures your cookies come out just right.

Flat lay of coarsely chopped dark chocolate chunks, golden hard caramel pieces shimmering with a glossy finish, light brown sugar crystals in a small pile, creamy unsalted butter cubes, whole vanilla beans split open showing tiny seeds, glossy large eggs with smooth shells, scattered sea salt flakes catching the light, and a heap of soft all-purpose flour, all beautifully arranged with balanced spacing and natural light highlights, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, salted caramel cookies, chocolate chip cookie recipes, homemade cookie recipes, best chewy cookies

Light Brown Sugar: The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and depth for chewy cookies.
Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt perfectly, and room temperature butter creamily blends for better texture.
Granulated Sugar: A bit of granulated sugar adds slight crispness on the edges.
Real Vanilla Extract: Don’t skimp here — pure vanilla gives your cookies a rich, aromatic flavor.
Large Eggs: Room temperature eggs help the dough bind smoothly and rise evenly.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The combo gives just the right lift and tenderness.
Sea Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour: The base for your cookie structure — measure carefully for chewy results.
Dark Chocolate: Coarsely chopped or chips provide melty, decadent bites.
Sea Salt Flakes: Optional but highly recommended for that finishing touch of salty crunch on top.
5-Minute Hard Caramel: The secret ingredient; these crunchy caramel bits add unforgettable texture and flavor contrast.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own by tweaking little details — feel free to adapt it according to your taste or dietary needs. Trust me, once you start experimenting, delicious possibilities open up!

Add Nuts: Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch and pair beautifully with the caramel and chocolate.
Use Different Chocolate: I sometimes swap the dark chocolate for milk or even white chocolate for a sweeter touch.
Gluten-Free Version: I’ve had great results using a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, just be mindful of the texture changes.
Make Them Vegan: Using vegan butter and flax eggs works well — just reduce caramel bits or find a vegan caramel alternative.

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

Step 1: Whip Up Your 5-Minute Hard Caramel

This step might sound intimidating if you don’t usually work with caramel, but I promise it’s straightforward. I discovered this quick method that doesn’t require a candy thermometer — just sugar, butter, and a bit of patience on medium heat until golden and bubbly. After it cools slightly, let it harden so you can chop it into crunchy caramel bits that will scatter surprises throughout your cookies.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Use room temperature butter for the best creaming results. Beat the butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is fluffy and light. This step traps air, helping the cookies get that gorgeous chewy texture. I usually spend about 3-4 minutes here to make sure it’s well aerated.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Eggs

Mix in the real vanilla extract and then the eggs one at a time. Room temperature eggs mix better and create a smooth dough, so I always pull mine out of the fridge before baking. Scrape down the bowl so everything incorporates evenly.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Carefully

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Gradually add to your wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix here because that can make the cookies tough — I usually stop as soon as I don’t see any flour streaks.

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate and Caramel

This part feels like Christmas when all that chocolate and caramel get folded into the dough. Make sure your caramel pieces are well chopped so they distribute evenly, and be gentle folding them in — you want to preserve the caramel chunks and not melt them into the dough.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Scoop cookie dough balls onto a lined baking sheet, flatten slightly, and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt flakes on top — trust me, this little finishing touch makes a huge flavor difference. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 12 minutes or until the edges are golden but the centers still look a little soft. The cookies will continue to set up as they cool.

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Pro Tips for Making The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Choose Quality Caramel: Homemade hard caramel is worth the effort for texture, but store-bought works too if chopped finely.
Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies out when centers are still a tad soft — they’ll firm up perfectly while cooling.
Use Sea Salt Flakes: Coarse flakes elevate the flavor dramatically compared to regular table salt.
Chill the Dough if Needed: If your kitchen is warm or dough feels too soft, refrigerate for 30 minutes to control spreading.

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

The image shows four soft chocolate chip cookies placed directly on a white marbled surface. One cookie in the center has a bite taken out of it, revealing a slightly chewy, light brown inside with melted chocolate chips. The cookies have a rough, uneven texture typical of homemade treats with golden-brown edges and darker chocolate chips scattered on top. Small grains of sea salt are sprinkled on one of the cookies, adding a subtle contrast to the smooth chocolate and crumbly dough. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, salted caramel cookies, chocolate chip cookie recipes, homemade cookie recipes, best chewy cookies

Garnishes

I usually finish these off with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking. Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, I add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or even a tiny dab of whipped cream for an indulgent touch. It’s all about that sweet-salty balance!

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own but pairing them with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea makes them even better. For a party, I love setting out fresh fruit or vanilla ice cream so guests can make their own cookie sundaes.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or celebrations, I stack these cookies with layers of caramel sauce or sandwich them with soft vanilla buttercream for a twist. Wrapping them in parchment paper with twine makes for adorable gifts, and topping with edible gold flakes has wowed my friends more than once!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay chewy and fresh for about 4-5 days — perfect for snagging a quick sweet bite anytime.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I freeze the dough balls individually on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. It’s a real lifesaver when cravings hit unexpectedly.

Reheating

Leftover cookies taste almost as good warmed up. I pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive the softness and get that melty chocolate feeling again — it’s like eating fresh-baked all over again.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel candies instead of making hard caramel?

Yes! If you’re short on time, finely chop store-bought hard caramel candies to mimic the texture. Just make sure they’re the “hard” kind so they don’t melt completely during baking and lose that chewy contrast.
Why do my cookies sometimes spread too much?

Too much spreading can happen if your dough is too warm or your baking sheet is too hot. I recommend chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking, especially in warm kitchens, and using cool baking sheets each time.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. It may slightly alter the texture, but the taste and chewy charm remain delightful.
How important is the sea salt flakes topping?

It’s a game changer! The contrast of salty flakes on buttery sweet cookies brings out flavors beautifully. You can skip it if you prefer less saltiness, but I highly recommend trying it at least once.
Can the dough be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking. This actually helps deepen the flavors and control spreading, making your cookies even better.

Final Thoughts

Trying The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe was a total game changer for me — it’s the kind of cookie that instantly feels like home and celebration rolled into one. I hope you’ll find the same joy baking and sharing them with your loved ones. Give this recipe a go, and trust me, these cookies will become a new favorite in your baking repertoire!