Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel Recipe

Ooey-Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel Recipe Magic

Soft, pillowy cookies with a chocolate chip caramel swirl have been a weekend baking obsession of mine lately.

Chocolate chip caramel cookies deliver pure comfort in every delectable bite.

Each morsel promises a symphony of sweet, buttery richness melting on your tongue.

The classic chocolate chip cookie gets an irresistible upgrade with golden ribbons of sticky caramel threading through the dough.

One bite transports you to a world of pure dessert bliss, where crispy edges meet gooey centers.

These cookies are not just a treat—they’re an experience that connects warm memories and delightful moments.

Bake a batch and watch everyone’s face light up with pure joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 24

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for cookies, creating a tender yet structured texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread beautifully with a golden-brown exterior.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures extra softness and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and keeps cookies wonderfully moist.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie's crisp edges.
  • Egg, Egg Yolk: Bind ingredients together and contribute to rich, soft cookie consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth to the cookie's flavor profile.
For Filling and Topping:
  • Chocolate Chips: Scattered throughout for delightful melty chocolate pockets.
  • Caramel Candies: Create a gooey, luxurious center that oozes when bitten.
  • Flaky Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to contrast sweetness and elevate overall taste.

Must-Haves to Bake with Ease

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking flour and dry ingredients together.
  • Whisk: Key tool for blending ingredients without lumps.
  • Baking Sheet: Crucial for baking cookies with even heat distribution.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain crisp texture.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for folding chocolate chips and mixing dough.
  • Whip Together Dry Mix

Grab a bowl and blend flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt until perfectly combined.

  • Create Butter Magic

In another bowl, whisk melted butter with brown and white sugars until silky smooth. Add egg, extra yolk, and vanilla, mixing thoroughly.

  • Merge Ingredients

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Sprinkle chocolate chips throughout dough, mixing until just combined.

  • Chill and Rest

Cover dough and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing flavors to mingle and texture to develop.

  • Prepare Caramel Surprises

Heat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop dough, flatten slightly, and nestle caramel candy in center. Wrap dough around candy, forming perfect rounds.

  • Bake to Golden Perfection

Place cookie balls on sheet, spacing them generously. Bake 11-13 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain soft.

  • Cool and Garnish

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for five minutes. Transfer to wire rack. While still warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a delightful flavor burst.

  • Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent cookies from spreading too thin, ensuring a thick, chewy texture.
  • Completely seal the caramel inside the dough ball to prevent leaking during baking, creating a perfect molten center.
  • Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
  • Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and use dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based version that's equally indulgent.
  • Experiment with different finishing salts like smoked sea salt or pink Himalayan salt to add unique flavor dimensions to your cookies.

How to Serve These Up Warm & Gooey

  • Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Companions
  • Ice Cream Sandwich Delight: Slice the cookie in half and sandwich a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream between the warm, gooey layers for an indulgent dessert experience.
  • Milk Pairing Pleasure: Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk or creamy almond milk to balance the rich, sweet flavors and enhance the cookie's decadent texture.
  • Dessert Platter Magic: Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries, chocolate shavings, and a small drizzle of extra caramel sauce for an elegant presentation that looks as amazing as it tastes.
  • Coffee Shop Style: Enjoy with a hot espresso or cappuccino to create a sophisticated sweet-and-bitter contrast that elevates the cookie's complex caramel and chocolate notes.
  • Seal cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for 4-5 days for maximum freshness.
  • Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Store cookies away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain the soft caramel center. Room temperature works best for keeping that dreamy, gooey texture intact.
  • Prepare dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes last-minute baking a breeze.
Print
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Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel Recipe

Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Sweet chocolate chip cookie magic meets gooey caramel in this irresistible dessert. Layers of buttery dough and rich chocolate promise a comforting indulgence you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 16 soft caramel candies (like Werthers or Kraft), unwrapped
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Dough Preparation: Blend flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, thoroughly whisk melted butter with brown and granulated sugars until smooth. Incorporate egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, then gently fold in dry ingredients and chocolate chips until just combined.
  1. Chilling Process: Encase dough completely and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
  1. Caramel Infusion and Assembly: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop dough portions, gently flatten, and nestle caramel candy in the center. Carefully envelop caramel completely, rolling into uniform balls. Arrange cookies with ample spacing on prepared baking sheet.
  1. Baking and Cooling: Bake 11-13 minutes until edges transform to a delicate golden hue and centers appear slightly soft. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
  1. Finishing Touch: While cookies retain warmth, sprinkle with flaky sea salt to enhance flavor complexity. Permit slight cooling to experience the luscious, molten caramel center.

Notes

  • Chilling dough is crucial to stop cookies from becoming flat pancakes. Cold dough helps maintain shape and creates thicker, chewier texture.
  • Use soft caramel candies and ensure they’re completely enclosed within dough to prevent leaking during baking. Room temperature caramels work best.
  • Remove cookies from oven when edges are golden but centers look slightly underbaked. They’ll continue cooking on hot baking sheet, creating soft, gooey middle.
  • Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend, use dairy-free butter alternative, and select vegan chocolate chips to make recipe allergen-friendly without compromising taste.
  • Prep Time: 12 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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