If you’re someone who loves that perfect combination of sweet, salty, nutty, and chocolatey, then this Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is going to become your new obsession. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie loaded with melty chocolate chips, crunchy toasted pecans, and swirls of luscious salted caramel, all topped with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt that brings every flavor to life. This recipe strikes such a wonderful balance that it feels like a little celebration in every bite, perfect for sharing or indulging on your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing these cookies. Each one plays a special role, from providing the perfect texture to building that incredible flavor combo that makes this Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe stand out.
- Unsalted butter: Use softened butter for creamy texture and rich flavor that carries the cookie’s base beautifully.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness that enhances the caramel in the cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Provides just the right amount of sweetness and helps the cookies spread evenly.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla brightens all the flavors and adds warmth.
- Large eggs: These bind everything together and make sure the cookies rise just enough.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie dough, offering structure and chewiness.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies a light lift without making them cakey.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The melty pockets of chocolate that make every bite irresistible.
- Chopped pecans: Adds crunch and a toasty nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the soft dough.
- Caramel sauce: The star ingredient that brings gooey, buttery sweetness to the mix.
- Sea salt flakes: A final sprinkle gives that signature salty kick on top.
How to Make Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when your dough is ready to go. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with both the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This process helps create a tender cookie with just the right amount of chewiness.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Eggs
Stir in the vanilla extract, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Adding the eggs gradually ensures the dough stays smooth and well combined, resulting in perfectly consistent cookies.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step makes sure everything is evenly distributed so every cookie has the same delicious texture and flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix here, or your cookies might turn out tough instead of soft and chewy.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips, Pecans, and Caramel
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel sauce. This part is where the magic happens — those gooey caramel pockets and crunchy pecans make these cookies truly special.
Step 7: Scoop and Add Sea Salt
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to place rounded balls of dough about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Before sending them into the oven, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt flakes over each cookie — this finishing touch elevates the salty-sweet balance.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn golden and the centers look just set but still soft. Let them cool for about 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely — if you can wait!
How to Serve Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To amp up the presentation and flavor, you can drizzle a bit of extra caramel sauce over the cookies just before serving or sprinkle a few more sea salt flakes on top. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a pretty, festive touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, a creamy latte, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. They also make a fantastic companion to a warm cup of tea if you prefer something soothing and mellow.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gift-giving, stack these cookies in a pretty jar tied with a ribbon, or arrange them on a rustic wooden board accented with fresh nuts and a small bowl of caramel sauce for dipping. They also shine when broken into chunks and sprinkled over ice cream or yogurt.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain softness by keeping moisture balanced.
Freezing
If you want to keep your cookies longer, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep their great taste and texture for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm up your cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes to regain that fresh-baked softness and return the chocolate to melty perfection. Just be sure not to overheat, or they might dry out.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can, but reduce or skip adding extra salt to the dough since salted butter adds saltiness. Since this recipe also calls for sea salt flakes on top, you want to keep the overall salt balanced.
How do I prevent the caramel from making the dough too sticky?
Gently fold the caramel sauce in last to avoid overmixing. Since the caramel is liquid, too much stirring can make the dough sticky. Using a sturdy spatula to fold carefully helps maintain the right consistency.
Can I substitute the pecans with another nut?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as swap-ins. Just make sure to chop them roughly the same size to keep the texture consistent throughout the cookies.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
This can happen if your butter is too soft or the dough is too warm when baking. Chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping, and avoid over-creaming the butter and sugars to prevent excessive spreading.
How should I store these cookies if I want to keep the caramel chewy?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature without refrigeration, and add a slice of bread inside the container to help keep the caramel soft and delicious.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is not just a cookie recipe; it’s a little slice of joy. With each bite delivering that perfect balance of gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, and melty chocolate kissed by sea salt, these cookies are bound to become your go-to treat for any occasion. I hope you give them a try and fall in love just as deeply as I have!
Print
Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in these decadent Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies, featuring a perfect balance of buttery dough, rich chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, gooey caramel, and a touch of sea salt to elevate every bite. These cookies are soft in the center with golden edges, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
Finishing
- Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep Baking Sheet. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugars. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly to incorporate the flavor.
- Incorporate Eggs. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next to ensure a smooth, uniform dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Chocolate Chips, Pecans, and Caramel. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel sauce gently but thoroughly to distribute these delicious mix-ins evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Sprinkle Sea Salt. Lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt flakes on top of each cookie before baking to enhance the sweet and salty flavor profile.
- Bake and Cool. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden while the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your freshly baked cookies!
Notes
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake by reducing time by 1-2 minutes.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to minimize spreading, if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy a warm, gooey treat.
