If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that masterfully balances rich, buttery sweetness with a hint of saltiness, you absolutely must try this Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Sweet & Salty Delight Recipe. These cookies bring together the warm nuttiness of toasted pecans, gooey pockets of caramel, and the crisp snap of chocolate chips, all crowned with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. They offer an irresistible bite that feels both classic and inventive, perfect for sharing or indulging on your own during a cozy afternoon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your hands on simple, high-quality ingredients is the secret to making these cookies shine. Each one plays a crucial role in ensuring the perfect texture, flavor contrast, and that inviting golden color you’ll adore.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Creamy butter creates a tender, rich base and helps the cookies spread beautifully.
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed): Adds moistness and a caramel undertone that complements the caramel pieces flawlessly.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the perfect cookie crispness along the edges.
- 2 large eggs: They bind everything together and lend a silky texture to the dough.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds a warm, inviting aroma.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone for these cookies, providing structure without toughness.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Creates the right lift and chewiness for an ideal texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Gives a gentle rise to keep cookies light and just fluffy enough.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Needed to elevate the sweetness and balance the flavors.
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips: Melts in pockets for melty, chocolatey pockets in every bite.
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted): Adds a smoky crunch that perfectly pairs with the sweet and salty elements.
- 20 soft caramel candies (cut into small pieces): Little bursts of smooth, chewy caramel that surprise with every mouthful.
- Flaky sea salt (for topping): The final touch that brings the sweet and salty magic to life.
How to Make Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Sweet & Salty Delight Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Having your oven ready ahead of time ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden every time.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or sturdy spoon to cream the softened butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This step incorporates air, which builds your cookie’s delicate texture and irresistible chew.
Step 3: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so they fully meld with the creamy mixture. Then stir in the vanilla extract, letting its inviting scent promise the wonderful flavor ahead.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. This ensures even distribution, which is essential for consistent texture and rise in your cookies.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry into Wet
Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until everything comes together. Overmixing at this stage will result in tougher cookies, so keep it light and easy.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate, Pecans, and Caramel
Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, toasted pecans, and caramel pieces. To keep caramel from melting extensively and making the dough too sticky, you can freeze the caramel pieces for about 10 minutes beforehand. This little trick maintains delightful caramel pockets inside your cookies.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Form the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the edges have turned a golden brown and the centers look just set. The anticipation right here is real — watch them transform!
Step 8: Sea Salt Finish and Cool
Once out of the oven, immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt on the warm cookies. This final step is the secret to elevating the flavor, offering that perfect sweet and salty contrast. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Sweet & Salty Delight Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to add an extra touch, try topping your cookies with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a few extra toasted pecan halves. These simple garnishes boost both visual appeal and flavor complexity, making your cookies irresistible to guests or family.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extraordinary dessert or serve alongside a cup of coffee or rich hot chocolate for cozy afternoons. Their sweet and salty profile complements creamy and bitter beverages in a way that feels like a warm hug.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun treat, sandwich two cookies together with a layer of softened caramel or cream cheese frosting. You can also break them into chunks and sprinkle on top of homemade ice cream sundaes or yogurt parfaits for texture and flavor bursts that surprise everyone.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Sweet & Salty Delight Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft, chewy, and flavorful for up to 5 days, making snack time always convenient and delicious.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When properly stored, they retain their texture and flavor almost as perfectly as when fresh.
Reheating
For that freshly baked warmth, pop your cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This revives their softness and enhances the gooey caramel and melty chocolate experience, allowing you to enjoy that sweet and salty delight any time you want.
FAQs
Can I substitute walnuts for pecans in this Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Sweet & Salty Delight Recipe?
Absolutely! Walnuts have a slightly different flavor profile but offer a similar crunch and nuttiness. They’ll work great if pecans aren’t available or if you prefer their taste.
How do I prevent the caramel pieces from melting too much during baking?
The best trick is to freeze the caramel pieces for about 10 minutes before folding them into the dough. This helps them retain shape and end up as gooey pockets rather than a melted mess.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
You can, but reduce or omit the added salt in your recipe. Since this cookie already gets a touch of flaky sea salt on top, be careful not to overdo the saltiness.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing before baking?
Yes! You can scoop the cookie dough balls onto a tray and freeze them until firm. Then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I do if I don’t have flaky sea salt for topping?
Regular coarse sea salt works fine too, though flaky sea salt is preferable for its texture and melt-in-your-mouth quality. Alternatively, a light sprinkle of kosher salt can add a nice finish.
Final Thoughts
Making these Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Sweet & Salty Delight Recipe is like inviting happiness into your kitchen. The harmony of buttery dough with luscious caramel, crunchy pecans, rich chocolate, and that perfect pinch of salt makes every bite a little celebration. I can’t wait for you to try them and see how these cookies become your new go-to indulgence that you’ll want to bake again and again.
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies, a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors. Soft caramel pieces blend with rich chocolate chips and toasted pecans, all topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to create a delightful cookie that’s irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted)
- 20 soft caramel candies (cut into small pieces)
- Flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a well-incorporated base for your cookies.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth texture. Then, mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix dry with wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to dense cookies.
- Fold in add-ins: Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, toasted chopped pecans, and small caramel pieces, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form 2-tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the centers are just set, ensuring a soft and chewy texture.
- Add flaky sea salt: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while the cookies are still warm to enhance the sweet and salty contrast.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Freeze caramel pieces for 10 minutes before adding to dough to prevent excessive oozing while baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
