Name: Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ cup cocoa powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup salted butter, softened; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons milk; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup brown sugar; ½ cup white chocolate chips; ½ cup semisweet chocolate chunks; 20 caramel squares

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 205 reviews

If you are a fan of rich, indulgent cookies that offer a delightful surprise with every bite, then the Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe is about to become your new favorite. These cookies combine a deep chocolate flavor with a luscious caramel center that melts beautifully, creating a perfect harmony of sweet, gooey, and slightly crispy textures. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or craving a comforting treat, this Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe will impress anyone lucky enough to try them.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white marbled surface holds a soft white textured cloth with baking ingredients neatly arranged on top. Starting from the top right, there is a small white bowl with a solid pale yellow block of butter. Below it, two white eggs lie side by side on the cloth. Around them, six metal measuring spoons with dark handles hold small amounts of light milk, pink salt, white powder, and dark liquid, arranged in a curved line. To the left, one white cup is filled with white flour, and below it another white cup contains white sugar. Next to them, a white bowl filled with square light caramel candies sits beside a white bowl of small dark chocolate chips and another white bowl with white chocolate chips. At the bottom right, two white measuring cups are filled with dark brown cocoa powder and light brown packed sugar. The scene is clean, bright, and softly lit. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering simple, classic ingredients is the best part of this Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe — each one contributes something special from rich cocoa depth to a buttery texture and that irresistible caramel surprise in the center.

1 ½ Cups all purpose flour: The foundation that provides structure to your cookies.
1 Teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
1 Teaspoon baking powder: Adds extra lift and fluffiness to balance the dense caramel filling.
1 Cup salted butter (softened): Gives a rich flavor and moist texture while enhancing the chocolate’s smoothness.
½ Cup cocoa powder: The true heart of chocolate flavor, making these cookies decadently chocolaty.
½ Teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies the chocolate and caramel notes.
2 eggs: Binds everything together and adds moisture for tender cookies.
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract: Lends a warm, aromatic sweetness that complements chocolate perfectly.
¾ Cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a slight crisp on the cookie edges.
¾ Cup brown sugar: Offers a hint of molasses flavor, enhancing both moisture and chewiness.
3 Tablespoons milk: Balances the dough consistency for an easy-to-handle batter.
½ Cup white chocolate chips: Adds bursts of creamy sweetness contrasting the cocoa.
½ Cup semisweet chocolate (in chunks): Melts to gooey pockets of rich chocolate inside the cookie.
20 caramel squares: The indulgent treasure that makes this cookie recipe unforgettable with a gooey center.

How to Make Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and preparing two baking sheets with grease or parchment paper. This ensures your cookies will bake evenly and release easily from the tray, setting the stage for perfect cookies every time.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. This blend of dry ingredients delivers the chocolate flavor, structure, and the perfect rise, so it’s important to whisk them together well before adding any wet ingredients.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat your softened salted butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough, helping to create soft, tender cookies full of flavor.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Add the vanilla extract for that warm, inviting aroma that signals deliciousness is on the way.

Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk

Gently add the flour mixture and milk alternately to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined in between. This method keeps the dough tender, ensuring your cookies will be delightfully chewy and moist after baking.

Step 6: Scoop and Fill with Caramel

Now the fun part: scoop tablespoon-sized dollops of batter onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 4 inches apart to allow room to spread. Place one caramel square on each dollop, then cover the caramel completely with another tablespoon of cookie dough. This lock-in technique prevents caramel from leaking out and guarantees a molten center every time.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies for 10 to 13 minutes. You’re aiming for a soft, set edge and a slightly underbaked center so the cookies stay chewy. As the caramel melts inside, it creates a warm, stretchable center that’s pure magic.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes so they firm up just enough to handle but are still soft and gooey on the inside. This cooling period is essential before transferring them to a wire rack or your eager mouth!

How to Serve Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe

A close-up view of a dark brown chocolate cookie filled with large white chocolate chips scattered across its rough, slightly wrinkled surface, showing its soft texture. Around the cookie, there are blurred out similar cookies and a small caramel square, all resting on a white marbled surface. The focus is on one cookie in the middle with a clear view of the chocolate chips embedded inside and on top, highlighting their smooth, creamy contrast against the rich chocolate dough photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking amps the flavor and contrasts beautifully with the sweetness. For an elegant touch, dust with a bit of powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a rich cup of coffee or hot chocolate to balance the intense chocolate and caramel flavors. Vanilla ice cream also pairs wonderfully if you want to transform these cookies into a decadent dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of caramel sauce and extra chocolate chunks for dipping. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a smear of chocolate ganache for an over-the-top treat that will wow guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store your Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, making them an excellent grab-and-go sweet snack or dessert.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough before baking by scooping the dough onto baking sheets, freezing until solid, and then transferring the dough balls to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Finished cookies can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To enjoy warm cookies, simply microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or reheat them briefly in a preheated oven at 300 degrees F for about 5 minutes. The caramel centers will regain their gooey lusciousness, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings anytime.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel instead of caramel squares?

Absolutely! Caramel squares are handy because they hold shape well inside the cookies, but if you want to use caramel candies, just make sure they are individually wrapped and placed inside the dough similarly. Soft caramel bits or homemade caramel can work too, but may require careful handling to avoid leaking.

Do I have to use both cocoa powder and chocolate chunks?

Using both adds complexity to the chocolate experience. Cocoa powder blends evenly into the dough for a rich base flavor, while the chocolate chunks melt into gooey pockets, creating delightful texture contrasts. Feel free to customize based on your preferences!

How do I prevent the caramel from leaking during baking?

Enclosing the caramel square fully with dough on the top and bottom creates a seal that helps keep it intact. Avoid placing the caramel too close to the edges of the dough ball and space the cookies adequately on the baking sheet.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking, you can make this recipe gluten-free. Just ensure the baking powder and other ingredients you use are gluten-free as well.

What is the best way to get chewy cookies?

Using a mix of both granulated and brown sugars, creaming the butter and sugar well, and slightly underbaking the cookies (removing them from the oven when edges are set but centers still look soft) are key tips to achieving that coveted chewy texture.

Final Thoughts

The Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe is a must-try for any dessert lover who appreciates the magic made when chocolate meets gooey caramel. Baking these treats is not only fun but deeply rewarding when you bite into that molten caramel center. So gather your ingredients, turn on your oven, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these unforgettable cookies. Trust me, once you try this Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies Recipe, it will become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire.