Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
If you have a soft spot for rich, indulgent cookies that combine the nutty goodness of peanut butter with the sweet temptation of chocolate and gooey caramel, then this Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. Every bite delivers a perfect harmony of creamy peanut butter dough hugging molten caramel centers, studded with melty chocolate chips, and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to heighten all those luscious flavors. Whether for a cozy night in, a special treat, or a shared moment with friends, these cookies have that magical comforting vibe that always invites one more bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun, and this recipe shines because it relies on simple yet essential pantry staples. Each component plays its part, ensuring the cookies have the right balance of flavor, texture, and a beautiful golden color when baked to perfection.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds richness and moisture, creating a tender cookie base.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): Brings that unmistakable nutty flavor and creamy texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Provides sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Adds a hint of deep caramel flavor and chewiness.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): The foundation of the cookie, balancing moisture and providing structure.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise and achieve a light texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and brings out flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Give bursts of rich chocolatey goodness throughout.
- Soft caramels (16, unwrapped): The star surprise melted inside each cookie for gooey decadence.
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping): Adds a sophisticated salty crunch to complement the sweetness.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. This sets the stage perfectly for your cookies to bake evenly and develop those golden edges.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is key because it incorporates air into the dough, resulting in soft, tender cookies you’ll love.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the large egg followed by the vanilla extract until everything is well combined. This adds moisture and binds all the ingredients together while layering in that rich vanilla scent that complements peanut butter beautifully.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt, giving the cookies an even rise and full flavor.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix here—you want everything just combined for the perfect cookie texture.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure each scoop of dough will have pockets of melty chocolate once baked. This addition elevates the peanut butter and caramel combo to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Step 7: Fill and Seal with Caramel
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place one soft caramel in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around the caramel, sealing it completely so it doesn’t leak while baking. This surprise center is what makes the Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe so irresistible.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Place the prepared dough balls on the lined baking sheet, spacing them roughly 2 inches apart to allow for gentle spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still a bit soft. That slight softness means the caramel inside will be perfectly gooey.
Step 9: Cool and Add Finishing Touches
After removing the cookies from the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While they’re still warm, sprinkle optional flaky sea salt over the tops for that magical salty-sweet contrast. Then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling—if you can wait that long to dig in.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a touch of flaky sea salt or a light dusting of powdered sugar can really elevate your presentation and flavor. You might also consider a drizzle of melted peanut butter or chocolate on top for extra flair and indulgence.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a tall glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert fix. For a cozy twist, enjoy them alongside a cup of hot coffee or rich hot chocolate, which complements the sweet and salty layers wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies with parchment paper in between to gift as an edible treat, or serve them warm on a platter with small bowls of caramel sauce and chopped peanuts for a cookie dunking station. You could even pair them with fresh fruit to balance the decadent flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This will help preserve their soft texture and gooey caramel centers without drying them out.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these cookies, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth and gooey caramel goodness, reheat your cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. Just enough to soften the caramel and melt the chocolate chips again, but not so long that the cookie dries out.
FAQs
Can I substitute natural peanut butter in this recipe?
Natural peanut butter often has more oil and less sugar than creamy peanut butter, which can affect the texture and moisture of the cookies. If you use natural, consider chilling the dough before baking to make it easier to handle and maintain cookie structure.
What type of caramels work best for the gooey center?
Soft caramels like Kraft or Werther’s are ideal because they melt nicely inside the cookies without becoming too hard or spreading out. Avoid hard caramels as they won’t achieve that lovely molten center.
Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
With a few tweaks such as using vegan butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, and a flax egg replacement, you can make a vegan version. Soft caramel replacements may be trickier to find, but there are vegan caramel candies available if you look carefully.
Is it necessary to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough is optional but recommended if your dough feels too soft to handle or if you want to avoid overly spreading cookies. A 20-minute chill can make it much easier to work with, especially when wrapping the caramel.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies typically stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Beyond that, they might start to lose their soft texture and gooey center charm.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the joy of biting into a warm, gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookie. This recipe combines simple ingredients to create a truly extraordinary treat that feels both nostalgic and special. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and maybe even a little happy dance. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to make your new all-time favorite with this Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe!
Print
Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies that combine creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate chips, and gooey caramel centers for an irresistibly chewy and decadent dessert. Perfectly baked to golden edges with a soft middle, these cookies offer a wonderful balance of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors, ideal for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 16 soft caramels, unwrapped
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, providing a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined to add moisture and enhance flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning in the dough.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently until a cohesive dough forms without overworking it.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough for bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- Assemble Cookies with Caramels: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly. Place one soft caramel in the center, then wrap the dough around it ensuring the caramel is sealed completely to prevent oozing during baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place each dough ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft for that perfect chewy texture.
- Cool and Finish: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set. Transfer to a wire rack and, if desired, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while the cookies are still warm to enhance the flavor contrast.
Notes
- For a gooey center, use soft caramels like Kraft or Werther’s to ensure they melt perfectly inside the cookie.
- If your dough feels too soft or sticky to handle, chill it for about 20 minutes before shaping the cookies for easier assembly.
- These cookies are best served slightly warm so the caramel centers remain soft and melty.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
