Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Sweet moments often begin with an unexpected salted caramel pecan chocolate chip cookies recipe that surprises your taste buds.

Decadent layers of flavor promise something extraordinary beyond typical desserts.

Nutty pecans dance alongside rich chocolate chips, creating a symphony of textures.

Delicate salt crystals whisper complexity into each warm, chewy bite.

Memories of comfort blend seamlessly with gourmet indulgence in this innovative treat.

Each crumb tells a story of careful crafting and passionate baking.

We invite you to experience pure culinary magic with just one bite.

Cookies Stuffed with Salted Caramel and Chocolate Chips

  • Elevate Your Baking: Discover a gourmet twist on classic chocolate chip cookies with salted caramel and pecans that transforms an ordinary treat into an extraordinary dessert experience.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or family dessert nights, these cookies offer a sophisticated blend of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors that appeal to all ages.
  • Simple Yet Impressive: Requires basic baking skills with minimal complex techniques, making it accessible for both novice and experienced home bakers who want to create something special without stress.
  • Texture Paradise: Enjoy a phenomenal combination of crispy edges, soft centers, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel that creates an irresistible mouthwatering sensation in every single bite.

Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredient List

Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Softens to create a rich, creamy base.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and caramel-like depth.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cookie's structure.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
Mix-In Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips, Caramel Sauce: Add sweet, gooey texture.
  • Pecans: Bring nutty crunch.
Finishing Ingredient:
  • Sea Salt Flakes: Provides a salty contrast to sweet flavors.

How to Bake Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven toasty at 350°F. Lay out a sheet of parchment paper on your baking tray to prevent sticky situations.

Step 2: Create a Dreamy Butter Base

Grab a mixing bowl and whip together softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Pour in vanilla extract and blend until everything looks smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Introduce the Eggs

Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Make sure each egg gets fully incorporated into the buttery mixture.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Teammates

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

Step 5: Fold in the Delicious Extras

Gently mix in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped pecans
  • Caramel sauce

Ensure these goodies are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create rounded dough balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 7: Add a Salty Sparkle

Sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt flakes on top of each cookie dough ball for an extra flavor punch.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You want golden edges with soft, gooey centers. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Achieve the right butter consistency by leaving it out at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing, ensuring smooth and even incorporation with sugars.
  • Chill Dough for Richer Flavor: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes to 2 hours before baking to intensify flavors and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Control Caramel Swirl: Drizzle caramel sauce sparingly to prevent oversaturation, creating beautiful marbled effect without making cookies too soggy.
  • Elevate with Toasted Pecans: Lightly toast pecans before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the cookie's overall taste profile.
  • Salt Placement Matters: Sprinkle sea salt flakes just before baking to create a delightful sweet-salty contrast and prevent salt from dissolving during mixing.

How to Store Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent softening.
  • Scoop cookie dough into balls, place on baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bag. Raw dough stays good for 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to baking time.
  • Place completely cooled cookies in freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Frozen cookies last up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore soft, fresh-baked texture. Best enjoyed warm with a glass of milk.

Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies Flavor Matches

  • Pair with Rich, Velvety Red Wine: Select a full-bodied cabernet sauvignon or merlot that complements the deep chocolate and caramel notes, creating a luxurious dessert experience that balances the cookie's sweetness.
  • Enhance with Smooth Bourbon Whiskey: Choose a smooth, slightly sweet bourbon that mirrors the caramel's richness and provides a warming counterpoint to the chocolate chip cookie's decadent texture.
  • Complement with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve alongside a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, smooth cream to contrast with the warm, chewy cookie and highlight its complex flavor profile.
  • Match with Robust Coffee: Brew a strong espresso or dark roast coffee that cuts through the cookie's sweetness and enhances the nutty pecan and caramel undertones, creating a harmonious taste sensation.
  • Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use dairy-free chocolate chips for plant-based diets.
  • Keto-Friendly Low-Carb Version: Use almond flour, sugar-free sweetener like erythritol, and sugar-free caramel sauce to create a low-carb, ketogenic-friendly cookie option.
  • Nut-Free Alternative: Remove pecans and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, maintaining the same delicious texture and flavor profile.

FAQs

  • How do I prevent the caramel from burning during baking?

Drizzle caramel sauce over the cookie dough instead of mixing it throughout, which helps prevent burning and creates beautiful marbling.

  • Can I use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe?

Use unsalted butter to control the salt content, especially since you’ll be adding sea salt flakes on top of the cookies. This allows for better flavor balance.

  • What's the best way to chop pecans for these cookies?

Use a sharp knife and chop pecans into small, uniform pieces. Roughly chopped pecans provide better texture and ensure each cookie has a consistent nutty crunch.

  • Why should I let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes?

Allowing cookies to rest on the hot baking sheet helps them set and prevents them from breaking apart when transferring to a wire rack. The residual heat continues to gently cook the cookies, creating a perfect texture.

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Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Salted caramel pecan chocolate chip cookies elevate classic treats with rich, gooey indulgence. Sweet meets salty in this irresistible dessert that promises pure delight with each warm, melty bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

Sweeteners and Binding Agents:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce

Seasonings and Leavening Agents:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.
  2. Create a creamy base by thoroughly blending softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light, airy, and uniformly combined. Incorporate vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile.
  3. Introduce eggs individually into the sugar-butter mixture, gently beating each one to achieve a smooth, well-integrated texture.
  4. Separately combine flour, baking soda, and salt, creating a dry ingredient mixture. Gradually integrate this powdery blend into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to maintain a consistent dough without overmixing.
  5. Elevate the cookie’s complexity by gently folding in chocolate chips, roughly chopped pecans, and ribbons of caramel sauce, ensuring these delectable elements are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  6. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form rounded dough balls and place them strategically on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for proper spreading.
  7. Enhance the cookies’ flavor dimension by delicately sprinkling sea salt flakes atop each dough ball, creating a tantalizing sweet-savory contrast.
  8. Bake the cookies until the edges turn a rich golden brown while maintaining soft, tender centers, typically requiring 10-12 minutes of baking time.
  9. Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, enabling them to set slightly, before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

  • Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile in the cookies.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and better cookie texture, helping ingredients blend seamlessly.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with more defined edges.
  • Experiment with different caramel types like salted or dark caramel to customize the sweetness and depth of flavor in your cookies.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

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