Thick, Chewy Chocolate Cookies with a Gooey Salted Caramel Center

There are chocolate cookies… and then there are Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies — the kind that crack slightly on the outside, stay irresistibly soft in the center, and surprise you with a molten caramel core in every bite.

This recipe creates bakery-style cookies that look impressive, taste luxurious, and are surprisingly easy to make at home. Each cookie is rich with deep chocolate flavor, balanced by sweet caramel and finished with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

If you’ve ever wanted to recreate gourmet bakery cookies in your own kitchen — this is the one.

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Why These Cookies Are Next-Level

• Thick and chewy texture
• Soft, gooey caramel center
• Deep chocolate flavor
• Perfect sweet-salty balance
• Beautiful crackled tops
• Freezer-friendly dough

The salted caramel doesn’t just add sweetness — it enhances the chocolate flavor and makes each bite more complex and addictive.

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Ingredients

Chocolate Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Caramel Filling

• 12 soft caramel candies (or thick caramel squares)
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream (if melting caramel)

Topping

• Flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten slightly in your hand.
8. Place one caramel candy in the center and wrap dough around it, sealing completely.
9. Roll into a ball and place on baking sheet 2 inches apart.
10. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
11. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt.
12. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

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The Flavor & Texture Experience

When you break one open, warm caramel slowly flows from the center.

You taste:

Rich cocoa depth
Buttery sweetness
Molten caramel
Subtle crunch of sea salt
Melty chocolate chips

It’s everything a gourmet cookie should be.

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Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies

• Chill dough 30 minutes for thicker cookies
• Do not overbake — centers should look slightly underdone
• Use high-quality cocoa powder
• Seal caramel completely to prevent leaks
• Sprinkle salt immediately after baking

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