Decadent Salted Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: A Chewy, Fudgy Delight

Prepare for an extraordinary treat with these Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – a truly decadent combination that elevates the classic crinkle cookie to new heights. Each bite delivers a perfect harmony of rich, fudgy chocolate cookie enveloping a surprise center of chewy, luscious caramel, all beautifully contrasted by a dusting of sweet powdered sugar. It’s a fantastic twist on a beloved favorite, guaranteed to impress anyone who tries them.

This Chocolate Caramel Cookie recipe is an absolute dream when you’re craving that irresistible sweet and salty combination. Crafted from scratch using just a few common pantry staples and a handful of caramel candies, these cookies are surprisingly simple to make. One of the best aspects of this recipe is the minimal wait time; there’s no long chilling period required for the dough, making it a quick and rewarding baking project perfect for satisfying those spontaneous dessert desires.

What Exactly are Chocolate Crinkle Cookies?

Crinkle Cookies are a distinctive type of cookie, often making a festive appearance around the holiday season due to their charming, snowball-like appearance. The “crinkle” effect, which gives these cookies their name and signature look, is achieved by rolling a rich, dark cookie dough into small balls, then generously coating them in powdered sugar before baking. As the cookies expand in the heat of the oven, the dark cookie dough peeks through the white powdered sugar coating, creating beautiful, contrasting “cracks” or “crinkles” across the surface.

Beyond their unique visual appeal, crinkle cookies are incredibly delicious. The powdered sugar on the outside doesn’t just look good; it adds an extra layer of sweetness that beautifully complements the deep chocolate flavor of the cookie. This makes them an ultimate treat for anyone with a sweet tooth, offering a delightful texture contrast between the soft, chewy interior and the slightly crisp, sugary exterior. Our caramel-stuffed version takes this beloved classic up a notch, adding an unexpected burst of gooey, buttery caramel in the center.

Why You’ll Adore These Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These aren’t just any chocolate cookies; they’re an experience! Here’s why this particular recipe for Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies will become a staple in your baking repertoire:

• Unbeatable Flavor Combination: The richness of chocolate meets the sweet, buttery notes of caramel, enhanced by a hint of coarse salt for that sought-after salted caramel taste. It’s a symphony of flavors in every bite.
• Perfect Texture: Expect a soft, chewy chocolate cookie exterior that gives way to a gloriously gooey caramel center. The powdered sugar adds a delicate sweetness and a slight textural crunch.
• Quick & Easy: Unlike many cookie recipes that demand extensive chilling, this dough comes together quickly and is ready to bake almost immediately, making it ideal for impromptu baking sessions.
• Visually Stunning: The striking contrast of dark chocolate against the white powdered sugar, coupled with the unique crinkle effect, makes these cookies incredibly appealing and perfect for gifting or holiday platters.
• Made from Scratch: Using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures a superior taste that far surpasses store-bought alternatives.

Essential Ingredients for Chocolate Caramel Crinkle Cookies

Creating these delightful cookies requires a balance of wet and dry ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the final texture and flavor. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why:

• All-Purpose Flour: You will need 1 ½ cups of standard all-purpose flour. This forms the structural base of our cookies, giving them their satisfying chewiness and shape.
• Cocoa Powder: For that deep, rich chocolate flavor, use ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. Using good quality cocoa powder makes a significant difference in the intensity and depth of flavor.
• Baking Powder: Essential for lift, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder will help these cookies achieve a soft, slightly puffy texture as they bake.
• Salt: A mere ¼ teaspoon of fine salt works wonders to balance and enhance all the sweet flavors in the cookie dough itself, preventing them from tasting overly sweet.
• Softened Butter: You will need 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. This is crucial for proper creaming with the sugars, creating an airy texture and rich flavor. This amounts to one full stick plus two tablespoons from another.
• Sugars: A combination of 1 cup of granulated sugar and ½ cup of packed light brown sugar provides the perfect level of sweetness, moisture, and chewiness. Granulated sugar contributes to crispness on the edges, while brown sugar adds depth of flavor and moisture.

• Large Eggs: Two large eggs act as a binder, holding the dough together and contributing to its rich, moist texture and structure. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 ½ teaspoons of pure vanilla extract is indispensable for deepening and harmonizing all the wonderful flavors, especially the chocolate and caramel.
• Caramel: The star of the show! You’ll need about 2 dozen pieces of unwrapped caramel candies. Soft, individually wrapped caramels are ideal. Alternatively, Rolo candies are an excellent choice, as they offer the chocolate and caramel combination in one convenient bite.
• Coarse Salt: For that delightful “salted caramel” experience, a pinch of coarse salt is added directly with the caramel center. This creates a fantastic contrast that elevates the entire cookie.
• Powdered Sugar: Approximately 1 cup of powdered sugar is needed for rolling the cookie dough balls. This is key to achieving the classic crinkled appearance and adds a delicate sweetness to the exterior. This is an external coating, not an ingredient mixed into the dough.

How to Make Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Follow these simple steps to create a batch of these irresistible caramel-stuffed chocolate crinkle cookies:

Prep Your Workspace

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). While the oven heats, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper is essential here as it prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Set the prepared baking sheet aside.

Cream Butter and Sugars for Lightness

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with both the granulated and light brown sugars. Using a hand-held mixer, cream these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture becomes noticeably pale, light, and fluffy. This process typically takes about 4 minutes and is critical for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture.

Next, crack the eggs and add them to the creamed mixture, one at a time. After each egg addition, mix thoroughly until it’s fully incorporated before adding the next. This ensures proper emulsification and a smooth dough consistency. Finally, pour in the vanilla extract and mix again until evenly distributed.

Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Gradually add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour has been added, as this can lead to tough cookies. Mix until no dry streaks of flour remain.

Shape and Stuff the Dough

This is where the magic happens! Scoop out the chocolate cookie dough into approximately 2-tablespoon sized portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball. You might find it helpful to lightly flour your hands to prevent the dough from sticking, as it can be quite soft.

Take one dough ball and gently flatten it into a disc. Press one caramel candy into the center of the flattened dough. For an extra touch of flavor, add a tiny pinch of coarse salt directly onto the caramel. Carefully enclose the caramel completely within the dough by pinching the edges of the dough together and shaping it back into a ball. It’s crucial that the caramel is fully sealed inside to prevent it from oozing out during baking.

Once sealed, roll the dough ball generously in the bowl of powdered sugar, ensuring the entire outside of the cookie dough ball is thoroughly coated. A thick coating helps create prominent crinkles. Place the coated dough balls onto your prepared parchment paper-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 11-13 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set, but the centers still look slightly soft. The powdered sugar will have created those beautiful crinkles.

Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for at least 5 minutes. This cooling period is important as it allows the cookies to set further and the caramel center to firm up slightly without becoming too hard. After 5 minutes, you can transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, though they are absolutely divine served warm!

Serve fresh and enjoy these glorious, sweet, and salty treats!

Tips for Perfect Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

To ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify properly, creating a smoother dough and a more consistent texture.
• Measure Accurately: Especially with flour and cocoa powder, precise measurements are key. Too much flour can result in dry, crumbly cookies, while too little can make them spread excessively.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies.
• Generous Powdered Sugar Coating: Don’t be shy with the powdered sugar! A thick, even coating is essential for achieving those beautiful, distinct crinkles.
• Seal the Caramel Well: Take your time to completely enclose each caramel piece in the dough. Any exposed caramel can melt out during baking, leading to sticky messes on your baking sheet.
• Use Parchment Paper: This is a non-negotiable for crinkle cookies, especially with a gooey caramel filling. It prevents sticking and makes transfer easy.

How Long are Salted Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Good For?

These delightful chocolate cookies with their luscious caramel centers can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 or 4 days. It’s crucial to keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out. I generally don’t recommend storing them in the refrigerator unless absolutely necessary. The cold temperature of the fridge can cause the caramel to become quite hard and extremely chewy, which might be unpleasant to bite into. If you do find yourself needing to chill the cookies for any reason, be sure to allow them to come to room temperature for several minutes before serving to soften the caramel and restore their optimal texture.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Crinkle Cookies?

Absolutely! These delicious cookies are perfectly suitable for freezing, making them an excellent make-ahead option for holidays or unexpected guests. You can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature. A small tip: the powdered sugar coating tends to dissolve somewhat during the freezing and thawing process. For the best presentation, I recommend giving them a fresh dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. This will revive their classic crinkled appearance and add that extra touch of sweetness.

What Kind of Caramel Should I Use for Caramel Filled Chocolate Cookies?

The type of caramel you choose can significantly impact the final texture and enjoyment of your cookies. You have a few great options:

• Soft Caramel Squares: These are the classic choice. Look for individually wrapped, soft caramel squares (like Kraft Caramels). They melt beautifully into a gooey center. Enlisting the help of kids to unwrap them can turn a tedious task into a fun family activity – just be sure to have extra for snacking!
• Rolo Candies: For added convenience and a pre-made chocolate-caramel combo, Rolos are an excellent substitute. They hold their shape well and provide a lovely melty center.

I strongly advise against using caramel sauce, as it’s too thin and will likely ooze out of the cookies during baking, creating a messy situation. Similarly, very hard caramel candies won’t achieve the desirable soft, chewy, melted center we’re aiming for; they’ll likely remain too firm even after baking. Stick to soft, pliable caramels for the best results.

This picture always brings a smile to my face. Every other week, we gather at my in-laws’ house for a wonderful family dinner with our extended relatives. I absolutely cherish these moments, watching my kids spend quality time with their cousins, while I get to catch up and chat with my sister-in-laws. It’s so important for us to take this time to connect and strengthen our family bonds. My youngest absolutely adores playing games, and Grandpa is such a good sport – he’ll play almost anything, as many times as the kids want! These moments of togetherness and shared joy are what life is all about, and a batch of homemade cookies like these Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies only makes those gatherings sweeter.

More Delicious Crinkle Cookie Recipes:

• CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES
• CINNAMON CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES

You May Also Like These Other Chocolate Caramel Cookie Recipes:

• CHOCOLATE CARAMEL LINZER COOKIES
• CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE MIX COOKIES
• CARAMEL STUFFED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Every single bite of these Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies is an experience of heavenly bliss. They are absolutely packed with a delightful salted caramel center, encased within a soft and chewy chocolate cookie, and then beautifully rolled in a sweet powdered sugar coating. With such an exquisite combination of flavors and textures, you can be absolutely sure that these cookies are destined to be a sensational hit at any gathering or simply as a well-deserved treat for yourself. Don’t wait to bake up a batch and discover your new favorite indulgence!