🎉 Introduction
These Chocolate Caramel Cookies are pure cozy-dessert magic. They start with a rich, soft, double chocolate cookie base that is deep, fudgy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. But the real surprise is inside — a gooey caramel center that melts beautifully when the cookies are warm.
Finished with a light sprinkle of sea salt, these cookies deliver the perfect balance of sweet + salty + chocolate. Every bite is warm, soft, and luxurious — the kind of cookie you make when you want something irresistible and comforting.
Perfect for:
- Cozy evenings
- Holiday gifting
- Coffee or hot cocoa moments
- Chocolate lovers who want a little extra sweetness
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins & Filling:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Soft caramel candies or caramel sauce (for filling)
- Sea salt flakes (optional, for sprinkling)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1:
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2:
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
Step 3:
Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Step 4:
Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Mix gently until a soft dough forms — do not overmix.
Step 5:
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 6:
Cover and chill the dough for 20–30 minutes.
This helps create chewy, thick cookies.
Shape & Stuff
Step 7:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
Step 8:
Scoop dough into balls. Flatten slightly and place a small piece of soft caramel in the center.
Seal the dough around the caramel so it’s fully enclosed.
Step 9:
Place on the baking sheet, leaving space between cookies.
Step 10:
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers look soft.
Step 11:
While warm, sprinkle lightly with sea salt flakes.
Let cool slightly before enjoying (caramel will be hot!).
🍽️ Servings & Timing (Normal Style)
- Servings: 16–22 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 20–30 minutes
- Bake Time: 9–11 minutes
- Total Time: Around 45 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freeze dough balls (before baking) for up to 2 months.
- Reheat a baked cookie 8 seconds for warm caramel centers.
🥄 Variations (Normal Style)
- Extra Gooey:
Drizzle caramel sauce on top instead of stuffing inside. - Salted Dark Chocolate Version:
Use dark chocolate chips and more sea salt. - Caramel Swirl:
Add small dollops of caramel into the dough and swirl lightly. - Nutty Caramel Cookies:
Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts. - Hot Cocoa Cookie Vibe:
Press 1–2 mini marshmallows into the tops before baking.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use caramel candies instead of sauce?
Yes — soft, chewy caramel candies work best for stuffing. - Why did my caramel leak out?
Make sure the dough fully covers the caramel before baking. - Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling makes cookies thicker and chewier — recommended. - Can I use salted butter?
Yes — reduce added salt by a pinch. - Can I freeze baked cookies?
Yes — freeze for up to 2 months. - Are these soft or crispy?
Soft and chewy — especially in the center. - Can I make them smaller?
Yes — reduce bake time by 1–2 minutes. - Can I use dairy-free butter?
Yes — also use dairy-free chocolate. - Can I add chocolate chunks instead of chips?
Yes — chunks make the cookies even more melty. - Can kids help make these?
Yes — stuffing caramel inside is a fun step.
🏁 Conclusion
These Chocolate Caramel Cookies are rich, chewy, warm, and beautifully melty — with caramel centers that make every bite feel indulgent and cozy. They’re the perfect comfort cookie, and once you make them, they’ll become a regular favorite.
Serve warm for maximum joy

Chocolate Caramel Cookies (Soft, Chewy & Melt-in-Your-Mouth Centers)
Method
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Mix gently until a soft dough forms — do not overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Cover and chill the dough for 20–30 minutes.
- This helps create chewy, thick cookies.
- Shape & Stuff
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Scoop dough into balls. Flatten slightly and place a small piece of soft caramel in the center.
- Seal the dough around the caramel so it’s fully enclosed.
- Place on the baking sheet, leaving space between cookies.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers look soft.
- While warm, sprinkle lightly with sea salt flakes.
- Let cool slightly before enjoying (caramel will be hot!).
Notes
Drizzle caramel sauce on top instead of stuffing inside. Salted Dark Chocolate Version:
Use dark chocolate chips and more sea salt. Caramel Swirl:
Add small dollops of caramel into the dough and swirl lightly. Nutty Caramel Cookies:
Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts. Hot Cocoa Cookie Vibe:
Press 1–2 mini marshmallows into the tops before baking. ❓ 10 FAQs Can I use caramel candies instead of sauce?
Yes — soft, chewy caramel candies work best for stuffing. Why did my caramel leak out?
Make sure the dough fully covers the caramel before baking. Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling makes cookies thicker and chewier — recommended. Can I use salted butter?
Yes — reduce added salt by a pinch. Can I freeze baked cookies?
Yes — freeze for up to 2 months. Are these soft or crispy?
Soft and chewy — especially in the center. Can I make them smaller?
Yes — reduce bake time by 1–2 minutes. Can I use dairy-free butter?
Yes — also use dairy-free chocolate. Can I add chocolate chunks instead of chips?
Yes — chunks make the cookies even more melty. Can kids help make these?
Yes — stuffing caramel inside is a fun step. 🏁 Conclusion These Chocolate Caramel Cookies are rich, chewy, warm, and beautifully melty — with caramel centers that make every bite feel indulgent and cozy. They’re the perfect comfort cookie, and once you make them, they’ll become a regular favorite. Serve warm for maximum joy
