If you have a thing for irresistible cookies that combine rich, nutty peanut butter, luscious swirls of velvety caramel, and melty chocolate chips, you are in for a real treat with this Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe. These delights are soft yet chewy, bursting with gooey caramel centers that make every bite an extraordinary experience. Whether you crave a comforting snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these cookies deliver on flavor, texture, and that perfect cozy vibe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to baking these incredible cookies. Each one is simple but essential, coming together to create a harmonious blend of taste, texture, and appearance that make these cookies unforgettable.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): Adds rich nuttiness and a silky texture that is the cookie’s foundation.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1/2 cup): Provides a tender crumb and buttery flavor.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens while contributing to the cookie’s slight crisp edges.
- Light brown sugar (1/2 cup): Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor for depth.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients for that just-right dough consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet flavors with a warm aroma.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): Gives structure to the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise and maintain tenderness.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
- Semisweet chocolate chips (3/4 cup): Melty pockets of chocolate that elevate each bite.
- Soft caramel squares (12, cut into halves): Create the signature gooey caramel center everyone will love.
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping): Adds a delightful salty crunch that contrasts the sweetness brilliantly.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Setup
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and release effortlessly once done.
Step 2: Cream Together the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone will adore.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla for Flavor and Binding
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated. This brings the mixture together, adding flavor and helping the cookies hold their shape.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Then gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold the semisweet chocolate chips into the dough, distributing them evenly for little bursts of chocolate in every bite.
Step 6: Assemble the Cookies with Caramel Centers
Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place a caramel half in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around it, sealing it completely. This step ensures your gooey caramel surprise stays perfectly inside.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the dough balls spaced apart on the lined baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for the edges to set while leaving the centers just slightly soft. This balance keeps the cookies tender and chewy.
Step 8: Cool and Add Optional Finishing Touch
Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. For an extra pop of flavor, sprinkle with flaky sea salt while the cookies are still warm.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top can brighten the rich flavors beautifully, while a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance when serving guests. These little touches turn simple cookies into a gourmet experience.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a creamy cup of coffee for a classic combo. For an indulgently decadent treat, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or a scoop of caramel gelato to complement the luscious caramel center.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a tiered platter for parties, or sandwich them with a scoop of soft peanut butter or chocolate ice cream in between for an extraordinary cookie ice cream sandwich. Wrapping them individually with parchment paper and tying with a ribbon also makes for heartfelt homemade gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and chewy, preserving that freshly baked charm.
Freezing
The dough freezes wonderfully for up to two months. Form the dough balls with caramel centers, freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a resealable bag. When ready, bake from frozen, adding an extra 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To revive that warm, gooey texture, gently warm the cookies in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This brings gooey caramel centers back to life and softens the cookie around it.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will add some extra texture and nuttiness to the cookies, providing a delightful crunch to contrast with the gooey caramel and chocolate.
What is the best caramel to use for the filling?
Soft, meltable caramel squares work best for a perfectly gooey center. Avoid using hard caramel candies, as they might not melt sufficiently and could result in a chewy rather than gooey surprise.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix of equal measure. Just ensure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binder to keep the cookies chewy and structurally sound.
Why do the cookies sometimes spread too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough slightly if your kitchen is warm. Over-soft butter or dough warmth can cause excess spreading during baking.
Can I customize this Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe?
Definitely! You can add chopped nuts for crunch, swap semisweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate, or drizzle melted chocolate over the baked cookies for an extra special touch.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe feels like passing along a little piece of joy. The delightful harmony of creamy peanut butter, molten caramel centers, and rich chocolate chips creates a cookie you will want to bake again and again. So, roll up your sleeves and dive into this delicious baking adventure—you won’t regret it!
Print
Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies are a delightful dessert featuring a soft peanut butter base, studded with rich semisweet chocolate chips and a gooey caramel center. Topped with optional flaky sea salt, these treats balance sweet and salty flavors perfectly. Ideal for cookie lovers looking for a decadent twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 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
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 12 soft caramel squares, cut into halves
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, which creates a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated, ensuring even texture and flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overmix.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold the semisweet chocolate chips into the dough, distributing them evenly without breaking them up to keep pockets of chocolate in the cookies.
- Form Dough Balls with Caramel Center: Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and flatten slightly in your hand. Place a caramel half in the center and wrap the dough around it completely to seal the caramel inside, creating a stuffed cookie.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading while baking. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool and Add Topping: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. If desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavor contrast and add a subtle crunch.
Notes
- Use soft, meltable caramels instead of firm caramel candies for gooier centers that melt nicely while baking.
- The dough can be frozen for up to two months; bake directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time.
- Avoid overbaking to maintain soft, chewy centers; edges should be set while centers remain slightly soft when removing from the oven.
