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To make these wonderful Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cookies, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance of flavors and textures. Here’s what you should gather: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1 cup caramel bits (or soft caramel candies, unwrapped) - Flaky sea salt for garnish Each ingredient holds its own charm. The unsalted butter gives the cookies a smooth texture. The mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar adds sweetness and a hint of chewiness. Eggs help the cookies rise and bind everything together. Vanilla extract brings warmth and richness. All-purpose flour works as the base, while baking soda ensures the cookies puff up nicely. Sea salt balances out the sweetness. Chocolate chips add melty goodness, and caramel bits provide that delightful chewy surprise. Lastly, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top enhances the overall flavor. Gather these ingredients, and you’re on your way to baking some truly tasty cookies! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking. While it heats, take two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This step helps the cookies come off easily after baking. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup of softened unsalted butter. Beat it with an electric mixer until it's creamy. Then, add 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. Next, add 2 large eggs, one at a time. Make sure each egg mixes in fully before adding the next. Finally, stir in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until it blends well. Take a separate medium bowl and whisk together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Slowly add this dry mix to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies might not be tender. Now, take a spatula and gently fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of caramel bits. Mix them well to ensure they spread evenly in the dough, but don't overwork it. This helps keep the cookies soft and chewy. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion out the dough. Drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This space allows them to spread while baking. Place the baking sheets in your preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. They should have lightly golden edges, and the centers will look soft. Remember, they will firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake them! As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven, sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie. This adds a great flavor boost. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. After that, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps them set properly, making them perfect for serving. To make the best Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cookies, you need to follow a few tips. First, use room temperature butter. This helps it cream well. Next, measure your flour correctly. Too much flour makes cookies dry. Use a spoon to scoop flour into your measuring cup, then level it off. This gives you the right amount. Overmixing can ruin the texture of your cookies. When you add the dry ingredients, mix gently. Stop as soon as you see no more flour. This keeps the cookies soft and chewy. When you fold in the chocolate and caramel, do it slowly. You want even distribution without breaking the pieces. Baking time matters. Check your cookies at 10 minutes. They should look golden and soft in the center. If they're too brown, they might be overbaked. Use parchment paper to help with easy removal. Let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving them. This helps them hold their shape. Finally, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top right after baking for a tasty finish. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Eggs: Ensuring your eggs are at room temperature helps them incorporate better into the dough, leading to a more uniform texture in the cookies. Don’t Overmix the Dough: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Chill the Dough if Necessary: If your cookie dough is too soft to handle, chilling it for 30 minutes can make it easier to shape and help the cookies maintain their form while baking. Experiment with Toppings: For added flair, consider drizzling melted chocolate over the cookies or adding chopped nuts for extra crunch and flavor. {{image_4}} You can switch up the chocolate for these cookies. Dark chocolate gives a rich flavor. Milk chocolate adds sweetness. White chocolate brings creaminess. Each type will change the taste. Feel free to mix chocolates for a fun twist. You can even use chocolate chunks if you like a bigger bite! If you want a different caramel taste, try using dulce de leche. This gives a smooth, rich flavor. You can also use homemade caramel if you have the time. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape. Another option is caramel sauce; just drizzle it over the baked cookies. Each choice brings a new fun flavor! You can make these cookies gluten-free easily. Swap the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour. Look for a blend that works well in baking. Also, check your chocolate chips and caramel bits for gluten. Most are safe, but it’s good to read labels. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty cookies! To keep your Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. Make sure they cool completely before you put them away. This helps prevent moisture from making them soggy. Place layers of parchment paper between the cookies to avoid sticking. Store them at room temperature for the best taste. You can also freeze these cookies. First, let them cool down. Then, wrap each cookie in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped cookies in a freezer-safe bag. You can store them in the freezer for up to three months. When you want to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature. For a warm treat, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. These cookies stay fresh for about one week at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, they can last a bit longer, around two weeks. However, freezing is the best way to keep them tasty for months. Enjoy them fresh or frozen; either way, these cookies are a delight! Yes, you can use regular caramel candies. Just make sure to unwrap them first. Cut them into small pieces for even melting. This will give you a nice, gooey texture in your cookies. Check the edges of the cookies. They should be light golden brown. The centers may look soft but will firm up as they cool. If the edges are too dark, your cookies might be overbaked. These cookies pair well with milk or coffee. You can also serve them with vanilla ice cream for a tasty dessert. A drizzle of chocolate sauce on top adds a nice touch too. Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time and chill it in the fridge. Just scoop the dough onto sheets and bake them when you're ready for fresh cookies. This keeps them soft and tasty. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will make them warm and gooey again. If you prefer, you can also use the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes. Enjoy your warm cookies! You now know how to make delicious Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cookies. We covered all the key steps, from selecting the right ingredients to baking. You learned tips for perfect cookies and how to adapt recipes for your needs. Storage tips will help keep your cookies fresh. As you bake these cookies, remember to enjoy the process. Tasting your creations will make the effort worth it! Happy baking!

Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cookies

Delicious cookies filled with chocolate chips and caramel bits, topped with flaky sea salt.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup caramel bits (or soft caramel candies, unwrapped)
  • to taste flaky sea salt for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, mixing until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Gradually mix this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips and caramel bits with a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overworking the dough.
  • Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear slightly soft.
  • Sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie while they are still warm.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a delightful display, arrange the cooled cookies on a decorative platter and consider adding a drizzle of melted chocolate over the top before serving.
Keyword caramel, chocolate, cookies, dessert