Welcome to the ultimate treat that promises to satisfy all your sweet cravings: **Indulgent Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies**! Prepare to say hello to the best chocolate cookie experience you’ll find, a delightful blend of rich cocoa, sweet, gooey caramel, and a hint of sea salt that creates an unforgettable flavor symphony.
Hello, baking enthusiasts and sweet tooths! As the festive season approaches, bringing with it a whirlwind of gatherings, cherished moments with loved ones, and the delightful opportunity for a little self-indulgence, there’s no better time to fill your home with the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods. We’re on the cusp of the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate than with cookies that truly spoil you and everyone you share them with?
And speaking of spoiling… today’s recipe for **decadent chocolate salted caramel cookies** is designed to do just that! I firmly believe that the holiday period is a time for treating ourselves and those we hold dear to truly delicious food and irresistible sweet delights. These cookies are not just a dessert; they are an experience, a little piece of edible luxury that makes any occasion feel more special.
Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies: The Quintessential Festive Treat for Every Occasion
December, in my humble opinion, is the only month where it’s not only acceptable but practically encouraged to bake cookies every single day! There’s an undeniable magic in turning on the oven on a crisp, cold day and allowing your house to be enveloped by the wonderful, warm, and comforting aromas of festive baking. These chocolate salted caramel cookies are perfectly suited for such moments, bringing warmth and joy with every bite. Their rich flavor profile makes them ideal for holiday parties, cozy evenings by the fire, or simply as a special everyday indulgence.
The inspiration for these extraordinary chocolate salted caramel cookies comes from the culinary genius of Donna Hay. When I first attempted this recipe and shared my creations on my Instagram, my inbox was flooded with eager messages from friends and followers begging for the recipe. It was clear these cookies were an instant hit, and the only fair thing to do was to share this gem with everyone! Yes, they are incredibly indulgent, generously studded with chunks of rich chocolate and elegantly topped with a silky smooth caramel, finished with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt. But that, my friends, is precisely what the festive season is for! A little indulgence, especially when it’s this delicious, truly won’t hurt anyone, will it? These cookies are a testament to the fact that some treats are worth savoring, offering a blissful escape into a world of profound chocolatey goodness and luscious caramel sweetness, balanced by that essential touch of salt.
The Gift of Sweetness: Share These Irresistible Cookies This Christmas!
Cookies aren’t just delicious treats; they also make fantastic edible gifts for friends, family, and even colleagues. It has become a beloved tradition of mine to bake multiple batches of different cookies throughout December, crafting personalized sweet surprises for everyone on my list. There’s something profoundly thoughtful and heartwarming about a homemade gift, and these chocolate salted caramel cookies are guaranteed to be received with delight. If you’re searching for more cookie inspiration to add to your festive baking repertoire, be sure to check out these other delightful recipes:
- Cinnamon and Maple Snowflake Cookies: Delicate and aromatic, perfect for winter wonderland themes.
- Gingerbread Cut Out Cookies: The classic holiday cookie, fun to decorate and wonderfully spiced.
- Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies: Sweet and simple, with a delightful chocolate filling.
- Shortbread Cookies: A buttery, melt-in-your-mouth classic, with a vegan twist.
Once your chocolate salted caramel cookies are baked and cooled, you can transform them into truly memorable presents. Simply arrange them in charming festive boxes or bags, tied with a beautiful decorative raffia ribbon or a festive bow, and voila – a tasty, thoughtful gift is ready! I assure you, the recipient will appreciate this homemade gesture far more than any store-bought item. To elevate the gifting experience even further with these chocolate salted caramel cookies, consider including a small, elegantly presented jar of high-quality caramel sauce on the side, along with a tiny bag of flaky sea salt. This thoughtful addition allows the person receiving them the fun of “assembling” their own perfect cookie, adding the caramel and salt just before enjoying, ensuring maximum freshness and personalized indulgence.
Crafting Culinary Perfection: Your Guide to Making Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
Rest assured, there is absolutely nothing complicated about this recipe. In fact, I highly doubt it can be “messed up,” making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. The process begins with a simple yet crucial step: melting the butter in a small saucepan, then setting it aside to cool gracefully to room temperature. This foundational step is key to the cookie’s texture. Next, using an electric mixer, you’ll combine the cooled melted butter with both types of sugar, beating until the mixture takes on a wonderfully sandy texture. Then, introduce the egg and an extra egg yolk, which adds richness and chewiness. Finally, incorporate the remaining dry and wet ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, water, milk, and most importantly, generous chunks of dark chocolate – mixing just until they are combined. The goal is to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies. Once the dough is ready, portion it out onto your prepared baking trays. Easy, right? You’ll be amazed at how straightforward it is to create such a gourmet-tasting cookie.
This recipe yields approximately 30 cookies, depending on how generously you size each one, so you will likely need to bake them in batches. Remember that these delightful cookies will expand beautifully during baking, so be sure to leave ample space between each dough ball on the tray to prevent them from merging into one giant cookie. For those who love to plan ahead, the cookie dough can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. If refrigerating, simply take the dough out about 15 minutes before baking to allow it to come to room temperature slightly, making it easier to handle and ensuring even baking. If you wish to freeze the dough for even longer storage, I recommend shaping it into a log first. When you’re ready to bake, remove the log from the freezer about 30 minutes prior, slice it into your desired cookie thickness, and then bake according to the instructions provided below. These make-ahead options offer incredible flexibility, perfect for busy holiday schedules or spontaneous baking sessions.
Thank you for delving into today’s post and discovering the magic of these incredible chocolate salted caramel cookies. I genuinely hope you’re inspired to try this recipe! As always, I love hearing from you, so please leave me a comment below if you bake them and share your experience. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to receive all the latest recipes straight to your inbox, ensuring you never miss out on another delicious creation!
Stay merry, keep baking, and talk soon!
A.
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Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
Ingredients
- 200 g unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 175 g light brown soft sugar
- 165 g granulated sugar
- 1 medium egg plus one extra egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon water
- 300 g plain flour
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt plus extra for sprinkling
- 35 g cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk of choice
- 300 g dark chocolate 70% cocoa solids, chopped into chunks
- 200 g thick caramel or dulce de leche for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F). Line 2-3 large baking trays with baking parchment. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cooled melted butter with both the light brown soft sugar and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for approximately 6 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and has a sandy texture. Add the whole egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat for another 2 minutes, until the mixture becomes pale and creamy. In a small separate bowl, combine the baking powder and baking soda with the water. Add this baking powder mixture, plain flour, sea salt, cocoa powder, milk, and the chopped dark chocolate chunks to the butter mixture. Beat on low speed just until all the ingredients are combined and no dry streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
- Working in batches, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough per cookie. Roll each portion into a ball and place them onto the prepared baking trays, ensuring you leave ample space between each cookie as they will spread during baking. Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are firm to the touch. Baking times may vary depending on your oven and cookie size. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking trays for 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, generously spread each cookie with thick caramel or dulce de leche and finish with a delicate sprinkle of extra sea salt. Enjoy these irresistible treats!
Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams for accuracy. While I’ve provided the recipe as such, I recommend using digital scales for the most precise and consistent results.
Notes
- These chocolate salted caramel cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For optimal freshness and to prevent the caramel from becoming too sticky, it is best to add the caramel and sea salt just before serving or gifting, if possible.
- Baking times can vary significantly based on your specific oven’s calibration and the exact size of your cookie dough portions. Keep a close eye on your cookies during the last few minutes of baking.
- The original recipe, from which this has been adapted, suggested using 60g of dough per cookie and baking for 18-20 minutes. For a slightly smaller, more manageable cookie, I prefer using approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, which then reduces the baking time to the recommended 10-13 minutes for a perfectly chewy center.
- **Make-Ahead Dough:** The cookie dough can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly. Allow it to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before portioning and baking.
- **Freezing Dough:** For longer storage, shape the dough into a log, wrap it well in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, slice the frozen log into desired cookie thickness (about 1.5-2 cm or 0.6-0.8 inches) and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time, or allow to thaw slightly for easier handling.