Description
These Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies combine rich, buttery cookie dough with gooey caramel bits, crunchy pecans, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, all topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Soft in the center with a slightly crisp edge, these cookies are an indulgent treat ideal for holiday baking or any time you want a gourmet homemade dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Topping
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup soft caramel bits or chopped soft caramels
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and soft caramel bits, ensuring an even distribution throughout the dough.
- Shape and Prepare Cookies: Using a scoop or spoon, portion the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Lightly flatten the tops with your hand or a spatula.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the tops of the cookies to add a delicious salty contrast to the sweet components.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are golden and the centers are just set but still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they hold their shape.
Notes
- For best texture, use soft, chewy caramels to achieve a melty, gooey caramel center in the cookies.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking will result in thicker, more substantial cookies.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
