Chocolate and Caramel Cookies

Recipe Overview 🍽️

History of the Recipe ✍️

Chocolate and Caramel Cookies were born from the desire to marry two beloved flavors in desserts: chocolate and caramel. Inspired by classic American cookie recipes, they offer a more luxurious and melting touch, particularly due to the caramel pieces that blend with the chocolate, creating an irresistible sweet experience.

Ingredients 🛒

listed in the order of use in the procedure:

• 225 g (1 cup) of unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 150 g (3/4 cup) of brown sugar
• 100 g (1/2 cup) of granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 280 g (2 1/4 cups) of all-purpose flour
• 30 g (1/4 cup) of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 150 g (5.3 oz) of dark chocolate chips (or milk chocolate)
• 100 g (3.5 oz) of soft caramel, cut into small pieces (or caramel chips)

Steps (How to Make ) 🥣

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Cream the butter with both sugars (brown and white) until you achieve a smooth and light texture.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then incorporate the vanilla extract.
4. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet mixture until a homogeneous dough forms.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips and caramel pieces using a spatula or wooden spoon.
6. Form dough balls using a tablespoon and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart.
7. Bake in the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. The centers of the cookies should remain soft.
8. Let cool on a rack before serving to allow the caramel pieces to cool and not be too hot.

Chef Tips 👨‍🍳

• To prevent the caramel from melting too much and spreading, refrigerate the caramel pieces before incorporating them into the dough.
• For an even meltier center, use soft caramel squares and place them in the center of the dough balls before baking.
• Mix gently to avoid breaking the caramel pieces too much.

Possible Variations 🎭

• Add chopped nuts or hazelnuts for a crunchy contrast.
• Replace the dark chocolate chips with milk or white chocolate chips for a sweeter result.
• Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on each cookie before baking for a salty touch that balances the sweetness of the caramel.

Bake Time 🔥

The chocolate and caramel cookies bake for about 10 to 12 minutes at 180°C (350°F). It is important not to overbake them to maintain their soft texture.

How to Store 🥡

Food and Drink Pairings 🥂

These chocolate and caramel cookies pair perfectly with a glass of cold milk or hot chocolate for an even more indulgent experience. For an adult pairing, serve them with a strong coffee or espresso to contrast with the sweet taste of the caramel.

Presentation Suggestion 🍽️

Arrange the warm chocolate and caramel cookies on a plate with extra caramel pieces for decoration. For a more indulgent touch, serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce.

Why It’s Healthy 💚

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants like flavonoids that have health benefits, particularly for circulation. Although sweet, caramel provides a quick energy source.