White Chocolate Caramel Chunk Cookies Recipe

White Chocolate Caramel Chunk Cookies Recipe for Dreamiest Bites

Soft, chewy white chocolate caramel chunk cookies promise a delightful twist on classic treats.

Unexpected flavor combinations make these sweet gems truly special.

Butter melts into golden puddles while caramel pieces nestle between rich cookie dough.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of creamy and crisp textures.

Warm from the oven, these cookies melt right on your tongue with indulgent smoothness.

Sweet moments happen when you break apart these gooey, decadent rounds.

Subtle hints of vanilla complement the buttery caramel swirls that dance through every crumbly morsel.

Bake a batch and watch smiles spread faster than melting chocolate.

  • Perfect for Beginners
  • This cookie recipe requires minimal baking skills, making it ideal for novice bakers wanting to create delectable treats without complex techniques. Simple mixing and straightforward instructions ensure success on the first attempt.
  • Fast Preparation
  • Prepare these delightful cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish. The recipe involves basic mixing steps and a short baking time, allowing you to enjoy fresh, warm cookies with minimal effort and waiting.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion
  • White chocolate and caramel chunks elevate these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary. The combination creates a rich, indulgent taste that appeals to both kids and adults, making them perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert moments.
  • Customizable Comfort Treat
  • Flexibility is a highlight of this recipe- add nuts for extra crunch, adjust salt levels, or experiment with different chocolate types. These adaptable cookies can be tailored to personal preferences while maintaining their irresistible core appeal.

Ingredient List for White Chocolate Caramel Chunk Cookies

Baking Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the classic cookie base.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and achieve a soft, chewy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Sweet Components:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates deep caramel-like sweetness and helps cookies spread and brown.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich background flavor to complement other ingredients.
Rich Binding Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create soft, tender cookie texture. Best when softened at room temperature.
  • Large Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
Add-In Ingredients:
  • White Chocolate Chunks, Caramel Chunks: Delivers pockets of sweet, creamy indulgence throughout the cookie. Choose high-quality chocolate and caramel for best results.
  • Optional Nuts: Adds extra crunch and nutty flavor complexity.
Finishing Touch:
  • Sea Salt: Optional topping that provides a delightful contrast to the sweet cookie. Flaky sea salt works best for a gourmet touch.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F (175C). Cover baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugars to Perfection

Grab a mixing bowl and a mixer. Blend:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Beat until the mixture looks fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time, then splash in vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until everything looks smooth and integrated.

Step 4: Combine Dry Elements

In a separate bowl, mix:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring on low speed until just combined.

Step 5: Welcome Delicious Chunks

Gently fold into the dough:
  • White chocolate chunks
  • Caramel chunks
  • Optional chopped nuts

Step 6: Shape Cookie Dreams

Roll dough into balls about 1.5 inches wide. Place on prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide cookies into the oven. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden. Centers should look slightly soft.

Optional: Sprinkle sea salt on top right after removing from oven.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

  • Optimize Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for perfect cookie texture. Room temperature butter creates fluffy, evenly mixed dough that helps cookies spread beautifully.
  • Control Cookie Thickness: Use a cookie scoop for consistent size and shape. Slightly flatten dough balls before baking to help create uniform, picture-perfect cookies with crispy edges and soft centers.
  • Prevent Caramel Burning: Chop caramel chunks into smaller pieces to distribute evenly. This prevents large caramel pools that can burn and helps create balanced sweetness throughout each cookie.
  • Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version. Replace white chocolate with dairy-free alternatives to accommodate various dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
  • Master Cooling Technique: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack. This critical step helps cookies set properly and prevents breaking, ensuring perfect texture and appearance.

Best Way to Store These Caramel-Filled Cookies

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for 23 months, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.
  • Warm cookies directly from the refrigerator or freezer by microwaving for 810 seconds or baking at 300F for 45 minutes. This restores their soft, gooey center and crisp edges.
  • If serving within 23 days, keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature. Ensure the container is placed in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.

Cookies That Pair with White Chocolate and Caramel

  • Create a complementary caramel-infused coffee drink that echoes the cookie's rich white chocolate and caramel notes, enhancing the overall sweet experience.
  • Serve cookies alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cool, smooth texture to contrast beautifully with the warm, chewy cookie.
  • Introduce a crunchy nutty element that provides textural contrast and amplifies the cookie's sweet caramel undertones, creating a delightful sensory experience.
  • Mix an elegant cocktail that mirrors the cookie's sweet-salty profile, providing an adult beverage option that intensifies the dessert's complex flavor landscape.

Gluten-Free Cookie Batch: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

Vegan White Chocolate Wonder: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free white chocolate chunks for a plant-based version.

Low-Sugar Caramel Option: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie’s rich flavor profile.

Nutty Chocolate Chunk Variation: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the cookie dough for extra crunch and depth, complementing the white chocolate and caramel chunks beautifully.

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.

  • How do I prevent the white chocolate and caramel chunks from melting completely?

Chill the chunks before adding them to the dough and fold them in gently to maintain their shape during baking.

  • What if my caramel chunks are too sticky?

Toss the caramel chunks in a little flour before adding them to the dough to help prevent them from clumping together.

  • Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months before baking.

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White Chocolate Caramel Chunk Cookies Recipe

White Chocolate Caramel Chunk Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet white chocolate chunks and gooey caramel make these irresistible cookies a dream for dessert enthusiasts. Crisp edges, molten centers, and rich flavor combinations invite cookie lovers to savor pure indulgence.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup white chocolate chunks or chips
  • ¾ cup caramel chunks (or soft caramel candies, chopped)

Sweeteners:

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Optional Add-Ins:

  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1 pinch sea salt for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. Create a creamy base by vigorously blending softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  3. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, then introduce vanilla extract, ensuring thorough integration.
  4. In a separate container, combine flour, baking soda, and salt through a gentle whisking motion.
  5. Merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using low-speed mixing to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
  6. Delicately fold white chocolate and caramel chunks into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
  7. Craft uniform cookie portions by scooping dough into 1 1/2-inch balls, strategically placing them on prepared baking sheets with adequate spacing.
  8. Position cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for light golden edges and slightly underdone centers.
  9. Optional: Enhance flavor complexity by sprinkling a pinch of sea salt across the cookies immediately after removing from the oven.
  10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, facilitating initial setting, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

  • Soften butter completely at room temperature for the smoothest, most creamy cookie texture that blends perfectly with sugars.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with more defined edges.
  • Use high-quality white chocolate chunks and caramel pieces for richer flavor, avoiding waxy or overly sweet commercial mix-ins that can compromise taste.
  • Adjust baking time slightly based on your oven’s true temperature – using an oven thermometer helps ensure consistent, golden-brown cookie results every time.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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