Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

Oh man, do you love chocolate and caramel together? I found these Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies, and they’re, like, super yummy! They’re my new favorite treat.

So, I baked these cookies at home, and wow, they’re so easy to make. The chocolate is rich, and the caramel inside is gooey. It’s like a sweet surprise in every bite!

I can’t stop eating these, they’re that good. You’ll want to bake a big batch because they disappear fast. Trust me, everyone will love them!

Wanna try them? Grab some chocolate, caramel, and salt, and let’s bake! Check out a simple recipe online to start.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Reader Favorite: As one reader put it, “These are hands down the best cookies I’ve ever made!”
• Indulgent and Gooey: Each cookie is packed with salted caramel that melts perfectly, creating that glorious, chewy bite.
• Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can create bakery-worthy cookies at home.
• Perfectly Sweet and Salty: The combination of smooth caramel and rich chocolate makes for a flavor pairing that’s impossible to resist.
• Customizable: If you want to take the flavor profile up a notch, there’s plenty of room for creativity (see variations below).
• Great for Gifting: These cookies are perfect for gift baskets, holiday exchanges, or any time you want to share a homemade treat.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we get into the ingredients and the steps, let’s make sure you have all the essential tools for this delicious recipe:

• Mixing Bowls: One large bowl for the wet ingredients and another for dry ingredients.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugar together (but a wooden spoon works if you prefer mixing by hand!).
• Baking Sheets: These will be essential for baking your cookies.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Line your baking sheets to ensure easy cleanup and prevent cookies from sticking.
• Ice Cream Scoop: For uniform cookie portions that bake evenly.
• Cooling Rack: To cool your cookies after baking and help maintain their perfect texture.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these rich and decadent cookies (you’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card below):

• Salted Butter (Room Temperature): For the best texture and flavor, use salted butter. It complements the caramel and enhances the chocolate taste.
• Brown Sugar (Lightly Packed): Brown sugar adds depth of flavor and moisture to the cookies, making them soft and chewy.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and structure to the cookies.
• Egg: The egg binds everything together and helps create that perfect chewy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: This classic flavor boosts the overall taste of the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie dough that holds everything together.
• Cocoa Powder (I use Hershey’s Special Dark): Dark cocoa powder gives these cookies an extra richness and depth of flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread as they bake.
• Fun Size Simply Caramel Milky Ways Bars (cut in half): The surprise salted caramel center! These bars are perfect for stuffing inside your cookies, making them gooey and delicious.
• Sea Salt (Optional): A pinch of sea salt on top before baking will enhance the caramel’s sweetness and give that salted finish we all love.

Variations for Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

While this recipe is a winner as is, there’s always room to customize. Here are a few ways you can take these salted caramel stuffed chocolate cookies to the next level:

• Use Different Caramel Candies: If you can’t find Simply Caramel Milky Ways, try other caramel-filled candies like Rolo or Caramel Hershey’s Kisses.
• Add Chocolate Chips: For a chocolate overload, mix in a handful of semisweet or milk chocolate chips into the dough before stuffing with caramel.
• Add Nuts: If you love a little crunch, chop up some pecans, walnuts, or almonds and fold them into the dough. They add a nice contrast to the soft caramel.
• Use Dark Chocolate: For a richer taste, use dark chocolate cocoa powder or dark chocolate chunks to complement the sweet caramel filling.
• Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: After baking, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cookies for an extra touch of indulgence.
• Make it Fudgey: If you love fudge-like cookies, increase the butter and reduce the flour slightly for a more gooey cookie.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Cookie Dough

Start by creaming together the salted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat until fully combined. This creates the base for your cookies.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Once your wet ingredients are well mixed, gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. You can do this in small batches to avoid any flour spills. Mix until just combined to ensure your dough stays soft and fluffy.

3. Chill the Dough

Once the dough is fully mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and gives them that perfect chewy texture.

4. Prepare the Caramel Filling

While your dough chills, prepare your caramel filling. Unwrap the Simply Caramel Milky Way bars and cut them in half. You’ll need one piece per cookie, so get them ready to go before assembling your cookies.

5. Form the Cookie Dough Balls

After the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons of cookie dough and roll it into a ball. Flatten the dough slightly in the palm of your hand, creating a little pocket to place the caramel in.

6. Stuff with Caramel

Place one of the caramel pieces into the center of the dough, then wrap the dough around it, pinching the edges to seal it completely. This ensures that the caramel stays inside while baking, and you’ll be left with a gooey surprise once you bite into the cookie.

7. Bake the Cookies

Place the stuffed dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are slightly firm. The centers may still appear a bit soft, but they will set as they cool. Don’t worry, they’re supposed to be gooey!

8. Cool and Add Sea Salt

Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Before they cool completely, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie for that sweet and salty contrast.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

These salted caramel stuffed chocolate cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed in several ways. Here’s how you can serve them:

• Freshly Baked: Enjoy them right out of the oven while they’re still warm and the caramel is oozy! Serve them with a glass of cold milk for a classic treat or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
• Cookie Sandwiches: Create a decadent cookie sandwich by taking two cookies and adding a layer of whipped cream or even more caramel sauce in between.
• With Coffee or Hot Chocolate: Pair these cookies with a hot beverage, like a rich cup of coffee, espresso, or hot chocolate. The bitterness of coffee and the creaminess of hot chocolate complement the sweet caramel and chocolate perfectly.
• Gift Ideas: Package a dozen of these cookies in a cute tin or box and give them as a thoughtful gift. They’re sure to impress anyone with a sweet tooth!

How to Store Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

If you happen to have any leftovers (though that’s unlikely), here’s how you can store these delicious cookies:

• At Room Temperature: Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4-5 days. Keep the cookies at room temperature to maintain their soft, chewy texture.
• In the Freezer: If you want to keep these cookies for a longer period, you can freeze them. Simply layer the cookies between pieces of parchment paper and store them in a zip-top bag or airtight container in the freezer. They’ll last up to 3 months. To thaw, just leave them at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, and they’ll be good as new.
• Caramel Leftovers: If you have leftover caramel from cutting the candy bars, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can warm it up and drizzle it over the cookies before serving.

Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies FAQs

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely make these cookies ahead of time! Prepare the dough, form the cookie dough balls, and stuff them with caramel. Then, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 1-2 hours. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight from the freezer into the oven. Add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Can I use a different type of caramel candy?

Of course! While the Simply Caramel Milky Ways bars are delicious, you can use other caramel-filled candies like Rolo or Caramel Hershey’s Kisses. You can also try making your own caramel filling if you prefer.

What if I don’t have salted butter?

If you don’t have salted butter, you can substitute it with unsalted butter and add a pinch of sea salt to the dough. It will give you that same balance of salty and sweet!

Can I use dark chocolate cocoa powder?

Yes! If you prefer a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor, you can swap the regular cocoa powder for dark cocoa powder. It will complement the caramel and create a rich, gourmet taste.

How can I prevent the caramel from leaking out while baking?

The key to preventing the caramel from leaking out of the cookie is making sure the dough is well sealed around the caramel. When wrapping the dough around the caramel, pinch the dough together firmly to seal all edges. Also, try not to over-bake the cookies, as that can cause the caramel to melt too much. They’ll set up nicely as they cool!

Nutrition Information for Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per cookie (assuming 12 cookies total):

Nutrient	Amount per Cookie
Calories	230 kcal
Fat	11g
Saturated Fat	7g
Carbohydrates	31g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	20g
Protein	2g
Sodium	120mg

(Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used and portion sizes.)

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies are a treat you won’t want to miss. With rich, gooey caramel nestled inside a perfectly chewy chocolate cookie, they strike the ideal balance between sweet and salty. Whether you bake them for a party, gift them to a loved one, or just enjoy them at home with a cup of coffee, these cookies will be a crowd-pleaser every time.

I hope you enjoy making and devouring these cookies as much as I do. With their irresistible flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re sure to become your go-to treat for any occasion. So, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready for the ultimate indulgence!