Oh, you are going to LOVE these! Seriously, if you’re looking for that absolute best chewy caramel cookie recipe, you’ve landed in the right spot. I’ve been baking for ages, and let me tell you, there’s something magical about that perfect balance: a soft, yielding center with just a hint of crispness around the edges, all bursting with rich, gooey caramel flavor. These Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies are pure comfort in every bite. I remember the first time I nailed this recipe; the smell alone took me straight back to my grandma’s kitchen, and the taste? Pure bliss! They’re surprisingly easy, too, which is always a win in my book.

Gather Your Ingredients for Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row! Having everything measured and ready makes baking so much smoother, especially when you’re aiming for those amazing Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies. Trust me, you want to have all your ingredients prepped before you even think about touching the mixer.

Essential Baking Ingredients

First up, we need our dry team. You’ll want 3 cups of all-purpose flour – no need for anything fancy here. Then grab 1 teaspoon of baking soda, which is our secret weapon for chewiness, and half a teaspoon of salt to balance out all that sweetness. Just whisk them together in a separate bowl; it’s a simple step but it makes a difference!

Sweeteners and Flavorings

Now for the sweetness! We’re using 1 cup of softened butter – make sure it’s not melted, just nicely softened. Then, pack in 1 cup of light brown sugar; this is super important for that chewy texture we love so much. We also add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar for a little extra sweetness. Don’t forget 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract – the good stuff always makes a difference!

The Star: Caramel Bits

And here’s the star of the show: 1 cup of caramel bits! You can find these in most baking aisles, or if you can’t find bits, just chop up some caramel candies. This is what gives our cookies that incredible caramel punch. Make sure they’re nicely distributed throughout the dough so every bite is a little caramel party!

Crafting Your Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies: Step-by-Step

Okay, now for the fun part – actually making these beauties! It’s not complicated at all, but a few little things make all the difference in getting those Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies just right.

Preparing the Dough Base

First things first, get your oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, grab a big bowl. We’re going to cream together that softened butter and both the brown and granulated sugars. You want to beat them until they’re nice and fluffy – think light and airy, like a cloud! Then, one by one, beat in your eggs. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Finally, stir in that lovely vanilla extract. This creamy base is what makes our Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies so rich and delicious.

Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients

Now, in a separate bowl, just give your flour, baking soda, and salt a quick whisk. This just makes sure everything is evenly distributed, so you don’t end up with a pocket of baking soda! Slowly add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients. Mix on low speed, or even by hand with a spatula, until it’s just combined. Seriously, don’t overmix! Overmixing is the enemy of chewy cookies, and we want these to be perfectly tender, not tough.

Incorporating the Caramel Goodness

This is where the magic really happens! Gently fold in those caramel bits or chopped caramel candies. You want to stir them in just enough so they’re spread throughout the dough. This way, every single one of your Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies will have that delightful caramel surprise inside.

Shaping and Baking for Perfection

Time to scoop! Use a rounded tablespoon of dough for each cookie. I love using a cookie scoop for this because it makes them all nice and uniform. Place them on your baking sheets, which should be lined with parchment paper – this is a game-changer for easy cleanup and preventing sticking! Make sure to leave about 2 inches between each cookie because they will spread a bit. Pop them into the preheated oven for about 9 to 11 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be a lovely golden brown, but the centers should still look a little soft and underdone. This is KEY for chewiness! Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes – they’ll continue to set up – before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to eat them all hot off the press!

Tips for Achieving Ultimate Chewiness in Your Caramel Cookies

Want to guarantee those super chewy cookies every single time? It’s all about a few key tricks! We’re talking about making these Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies so good, people will beg for the recipe.

The Importance of Brown Sugar

Seriously, don’t skimp on the brown sugar! It’s the unsung hero of chewy cookies. The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and a lovely chewiness that granulated sugar just can’t replicate. It’s essential for those Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies.

Avoiding Overbaking

This is probably the MOST important tip. Pull these cookies out when the edges look golden brown but the centers still look a little soft and underbaked. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet. If you bake them until they look completely done, you’ll end up with cakey or crispy cookies, and we definitely don’t want that!

Dough Chilling (Optional but Recommended)

If you have the time, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight!) can really boost the chewiness. It allows the flour to hydrate and the flavors to deepen. Plus, chilled dough spreads less in the oven, giving you thicker, chewier results for your Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies

Got questions about these delightful Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies? I’ve heard them all, and I’m happy to share my insights to make sure yours turn out amazing!

Can I use different types of caramel?

You sure can! While the caramel bits are super convenient, you can also chop up your favorite caramel candies. Just make sure they’re not too sticky or melty when you chop them. Some people even use a caramel sauce, but you’d need to thicken it up quite a bit so it doesn’t make the dough too wet. The bits are usually the easiest way to get that perfect caramel flavor!

How do I store these cookies to keep them chewy?

This is key! To keep your Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies tasting fresh and wonderfully chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I like to put a slice of bread in the container with them – it helps keep them soft. Avoid the fridge, as that can actually dry them out!

What makes these cookies so chewy?

It’s a few things working together! The brown sugar is a big player because of its molasses content, which adds moisture. We also don’t overbake them – pulling them out when the centers are still a little soft is crucial. And don’t overmix the dough! All these little things contribute to the ultimate chewiness of our Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies.

Can I add other mix-ins?

Absolutely! These cookies are pretty forgiving. Chocolate chips are a classic swap for caramel bits, or you could even do a mix of both! A sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking is also divine with the caramel. Just make sure you don’t add too many extra mix-ins, as it can affect the dough consistency and how they bake.

Serving and Storing Your Delicious Caramel Cookies

Alright, you’ve baked up a masterpiece! Now, how do we enjoy these amazing Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies and keep them tasting just as good later? It’s simple, really!

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are just divine on their own, but oh boy, are they even better with a tall glass of cold milk! Coffee or a nice cup of tea works perfectly too. For a real treat, try crumbling one over a scoop of vanilla ice cream – pure heaven! You might also enjoy our simple summer iced tea recipe.

Storage Instructions

To keep that wonderful chewy texture, store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Seriously, just pop them in a container with a good lid. They’ll stay wonderfully chewy for several days. Avoid the refrigerator, as that can make them a bit too firm!

Nutritional Estimate for Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies

Just so you have an idea, each of these glorious Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies comes in at around 200 calories. You’re looking at about 15g of sugar and 10g of fat, with 6g of that being saturated fat. They also have roughly 25g of carbohydrates. Remember, this is just an estimate, but it gives you a little peek into the deliciousness! For more insights into baking, you can check out King Arthur Baking’s ingredient properties.

Perfect Chewy Caramel Cookies: 100% Bliss

Author: jekof.com
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Enjoy these delightful chewy caramel cookies, perfect for any occasion. They have a soft, chewy center and a rich caramel flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup caramel bits or chopped caramel candies

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Stir in the caramel bits or chopped caramel candies.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra chewy cookies, do not overbake.
You can substitute chocolate chips for caramel bits if desired.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 200
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 80mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: chewy caramel cookies, soft caramel cookies, caramel cookie recipe, homemade caramel cookies, easy cookie recipe