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 a cookie that hits every craving note—soft, chewy, chocolatey, and that salty caramel punch—then you’re going to absolutely love The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. I promise, once you try these, they’ll become your new go-to for cookie nights, celebrations, or whenever you just need a sweet pick-me-up. Trust me, the way those little bits of hard caramel melt and mingle with the dark chocolate chips is absolute magic.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chewy with a Crunch: The bits of hard caramel add an unexpected, delightful texture that makes each bite exciting.
No Candy Thermometer Needed: You can make the hard caramel easily in just five minutes, making this recipe more approachable than you think.
One-Bowl Simplicity: This recipe means less cleanup and straightforward mixing with no dough resting time, perfect for quick baking sessions.
Flavor Balance: That pinch of sea salt on top perfectly complements the sweetness, making these cookies irresistible.

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 cookie recipe, chocolate chip cookie with caramel, homemade chewy cookies, best caramel chocolate cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here plays a key role in achieving that perfect chewy texture and rich flavor. I’ve picked items that are easy to find but also make a huge difference in taste and consistency.

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 cookie recipe, chocolate chip cookie with caramel, homemade chewy cookies, best caramel chocolate cookies

5-Minute Hard Caramel: This brings in that sweet, crunchy surprise inside your cookie. Making it yourself ensures freshness without artificial additives.
Light Brown Sugar: Packed and soft, it adds moisture and deep caramel flavor essential for chewy cookies.
Unsalted Butter: Room temperature is key here for even mixing and structure.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with that slight crisp on the edges.
Real Vanilla Extract: Always choose the real stuff—it makes a subtle but noticeable difference.
Large Eggs: Room temperature eggs bind everything together and keep the texture tender.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These two together create the perfect rise and spread for a chewy bite.
Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially balancing the sweet caramel.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of cookies, make sure to measure properly for best results.
Dark Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate: I love a richer chocolate here, but you can adapt to what you prefer.
Sea Salt Flakes (Optional): Ideal to sprinkle on top before baking to add that professional bakery feel.

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 how versatile this cookie dough is—you can dress it up or tone it down easily depending on your mood or the occasion. Don’t be shy to make it your own!

Nutty Add-in: I tried adding toasted pecans once, and it added a lovely crunch that my family went crazy for.
White Chocolate Swap: Swap the dark chocolate for white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier vibe.
Gluten-Free Option: I’ve had luck using a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to keep texture just right.
More Salted Caramel: Double the caramel pieces if you’re a caramel fanatic like me.

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

Step 1: Make Your 5-Minute Hard Caramel

This part is so fun! You’ll gently heat sugar and water just until it transforms into a rich amber caramel—no candy thermometer needed! I like to do this first so it has time to cool and harden. Once hardened, break it into small, uneven bits that will sneak into the cookie dough, creating little pockets of crunchy sweetness.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Beat your room temperature butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar until you get a light, fluffy mixture. This step traps air that helps your cookies rise beautifully, plus it’s just so satisfying to see the transformation.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Once your sugars and butter look perfect, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Follow with the vanilla extract—the aroma at this stage makes the whole kitchen smell like a dream!

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients and Fold Dough Together

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Gradually add it to your wet ingredients—don’t overmix here, just until combined. Then fold in your caramel bits and dark chocolate. The dough will look chunky and glorious.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Drop generous spoonfuls of the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. I like to sprinkle a few sea salt flakes on top for that extra flavor pop. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 12 minutes or until edges are golden but centers still look soft. Resist the urge to overbake—it’s worth it for that chewy center.

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

Trailing the Caramel: When breaking the caramel, don’t worry about perfect pieces—the uneven chunks create the best texture and melted pockets inside the cookies.
Butter at Room Temperature: I always set my butter out an hour before baking to ensure smooth creaming and avoid grainy dough.
Don’t Skip the Sea Salt on Top: It might seem small, but that sprinkle intensifies the salty-sweet contrast and makes the cookies feel gourmet.
Check Early to Avoid Overbaking: Cookies keep baking on the sheet after you pull them out—catch them when edges are set but centers are still soft for chewy perfection.

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 cookie recipe, chocolate chip cookie with caramel, homemade chewy cookies, best caramel chocolate cookies

Garnishes

I love finishing these cookies with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after they come out of the oven. Sometimes, I gently press a few extra caramel bits or chocolate chips on top for an extra eye-catching look and texture that my guests adore.

Side Dishes

These cookies go wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a rich cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert plate. On chilly days, I like to pair them with warm chai tea—the spices and sweet caramel are a match made in heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board surrounded by little ramekins of extra caramel sauce and chocolate chunks. Another fave is stacking a few cookies and tying them with twine as charming homemade gifts—everyone loves getting those!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread inside to help keep them soft for up to 4 days. I’ve found this little trick makes all the difference for maintaining that chewiness we all love.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking—I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to bake, I let them thaw for about 15 minutes at room temperature and bake just as usual. This is a lifesaver for unexpected cookie cravings.

Reheating

If you have leftover baked cookies, warming them up for just 10 seconds in the microwave revives that melty chocolate and soft texture. You can also warm them in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for 5 minutes if you want a slightly crisp edge with a chewy middle.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel instead of making the 5-minute hard caramel?

While you can try chopped store-bought caramels, homemade 5-minute hard caramel offers a unique crunch and flavor that commercial caramels don’t replicate. Plus, making it yourself lets you control the texture and sweetness perfectly.
Why do the cookies need both baking powder and baking soda?

Using both helps the cookies rise properly while also giving them that chewy texture. Baking powder provides a gentle lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar to tenderize and brown the cookies beautifully.
How do I avoid spreading cookies that are too thin?

Make sure your butter is not too soft or melted when mixing, chill your dough for 15 minutes if it feels too loose, and don’t overwork the dough. Also, using parchment paper or silicone mats helps cookies bake evenly without excessive spreading.
Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

You can switch the butter for vegan butter and use flax eggs in place of eggs. For caramel, consider vegan caramel recipes made from coconut milk and sugar. Keep in mind that texture might vary slightly, but they can still be delicious!
Is it okay to add extra sea salt on top?

Absolutely! I find that a light sprinkling of flaky sea salt on top before baking enhances all the flavors and gives the cookies that extra gourmet edge.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, The Best Chewy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorites to bake again and again. I love how it balances rich caramel, gooey chocolate, and that soft yet chewy texture we all crave in cookies. Whether you treat yourself on a quiet evening or share them at a gathering, these cookies always bring smiles. I hope you enjoy baking and eating them as much as I do—grab your apron, and let’s get baking!