Irresistible Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Sweet memories bloom when these salted caramel pecan chocolate chip cookies land on your kitchen counter.

Crisp edges promise delightful crunch against a soft, gooey center.

Molten chocolate swirls through each bite, melding with buttery caramel notes.

Crunchy pecans interrupt the smooth landscape with nutty interruptions.

Rich layers of flavor dance across your palate, telling stories of comfort and indulgence.

Unexpected salt crystals spark excitement, turning ordinary cookies into extraordinary moments.

One taste might just spark a baking adventure you cannot resist.

Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies With Chocolate Chips

• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, these cookies are ideal for spontaneous gatherings or sudden sweet cravings.
• Flavor Explosion: Combine rich chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, and gooey salted caramel for a taste experience that'll wow family and friends.
• Versatile Treat: Suitable for potlucks, holiday parties, after-school snacks, or a luxurious dessert that elevates any ordinary day with its irresistible combination of textures and flavors.

Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie's foundation, choose unbleached for best results.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensures a soft and chewy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates rich sweetness and helps cookies caramelize, brown sugar adds deep molasses flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex background flavor, pure vanilla provides best taste.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates tender, rich cookie base, use high-quality butter at room temperature.
• Large Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture, ensure eggs are fresh and at room temperature.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provides melty chocolate pockets, use good quality chips for best flavor.
• Chopped Pecans: Adds nutty crunch and depth, toast pecans for enhanced flavor.

• Salted Caramel Sauce: Creates gooey, sweet-salty center, use thick caramel for best results.
• Flakey Sea Salt: Provides final flavor burst and beautiful garnish, sprinkle sparingly for balance.

Salted Caramel Pecan Cookie Steps with Chocolate Chips

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 375°F.

Cover baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.

Whisk thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly and eliminate any potential lumps.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

Grab an electric mixer and blend butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.

Whip until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like delicious clouds.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition.

Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Components

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the creamy base.

Mix gently until everything just comes together without overmixing.

Step 5: Fold in Delicious Extras

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped pecans

Ensure ingredients are distributed evenly throughout the dough.

Step 6: Shape Delightful Cookies

Scoop generous spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets.

Create a small indent in each cookie’s center.

Fill the wells with salted caramel sauce.

Optional: Cover caramel with a thin layer of cookie dough.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place cookies in the preheated oven.

Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Watch carefully to prevent overcooking.

Step 8: Finish with Flair

Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle flakey sea salt over warm cookies for an extra flavor punch.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling racks until completely cool.

Store in an airtight container and enjoy within a few days for maximum deliciousness.

Cookie Tips for Salted Caramel Choco Chewiness

• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, even mixing without overbeating.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes to 2 hours before baking to enhance caramel and chocolate depth and prevent excessive spreading.
• Use a small spoon or piping bag to precisely place salted caramel in cookie centers, preventing overflow during baking.
• Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for different flavor profiles, or omit nuts entirely for nut-free versions.
• Remove cookies from oven when edges are golden but centers look slightly underbaked to ensure soft, chewy texture that sets while cooling.

Store Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Remove frozen cookies and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture changes.
• Warm cookies in oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore soft, slightly crisp texture. Use a toaster oven for small batches to save energy.

Salted Caramel Cookies Pairings

• Pair Sweet Beverages with Caramel Notes: Serve these indulgent cookies alongside a warm mug of caramel latte or butterscotch-infused hot chocolate, which will complement the rich salted caramel flavor profile and enhance the overall dessert experience.
• Recommend Classic Milk Pairings: Classic whole milk or cold chocolate milk creates a perfect creamy counterpoint to the crispy, nutty cookie texture, helping to balance the intense sweetness and providing a refreshing contrast.
• Explore Dessert Wine Options: Consider pairing with a sweet dessert wine like Sauternes or a late-harvest Riesling, which will highlight the caramel and chocolate notes while offering a sophisticated accompaniment to these gourmet cookies.
• Suggest Espresso Companions: A shot of espresso or cappuccino works brilliantly with these cookies, cutting through the richness and bringing out the deeper, more complex flavors of the pecans and chocolate chips.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Caramel Pecan Takes

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based cookie experience.
• Nut-Free Option: Substitute pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds to maintain crunch while accommodating nut allergies.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated and brown sugars, and select a sugar-free caramel sauce to reduce overall sugar content.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the caramel from leaking out during baking?

Create a small well in the center of each cookie and cover the caramel with a thin layer of dough to help keep the caramel contained while baking.

• Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. This can even enhance the flavor and help prevent spreading.

• Why add sea salt to the cookies?

The flakey sea salt enhances the caramel’s sweetness and creates a delightful flavor contrast, making the cookies more complex and interesting.

• What's the best way to ensure my cookies have a soft texture?

Don’t overbake the cookies. Remove them from the oven when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone, as they’ll continue cooking on the baking sheet.

Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 31 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Salted caramel pecan chocolate chip cookies blend sweet and salty flavors in a perfect harmony of indulgence. Rich chocolate, toasted pecans, and golden caramel create a mouthwatering treat that melts in your mouth and leaves you craving more.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (100 grams) chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) salted caramel sauce

Sweeteners:

• 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (165 grams) packed brown sugar

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• Flakey sea salt, for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F (190°C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Craft the dry foundation by whisking flour, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing vessel, setting aside for future integration.
3. Create a creamy base by using an electric mixer to blend butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until achieving a light, airy consistency.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure smooth incorporation.
5. Gently fold the prepared dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain the cookie’s tender texture.
6. Enhance the dough by carefully stirring in chocolate chips and chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
7. Carefully drop generous spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, creating slight indentations in each cookie’s center.
8. Fill the cookie centers with a dollop of salted caramel sauce, optionally covering with a thin layer of additional dough.
9. Slide the cookie-laden sheets into the preheated oven, baking for 9-11 minutes until edges transform to a golden-brown hue.
10. Immediately upon removal from the oven, sprinkle each cookie with a delicate dusting of flakey sea salt for a flavor-enhancing finish.
11. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks to complete the cooling process.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor depth.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a consistent cookie texture.
• Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to intensify their nutty flavor and add extra crunch.
• For gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain cookie structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg