Irresistible Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies Recipe: Sweet Success!

Indulgent cookies can spark joy in any moment, and this peanut butter caramel cookies recipe brings pure delight to your kitchen.

Sweet caramel ribbons dance through rich, buttery dough, creating an irresistible treat.

Soft and chewy textures meld perfectly with deep nutty undertones.

Creamy peanut butter infuses each bite with warmth and comfort.

These cookies promise a delectable experience that melts in your mouth with every single crumb.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a decadent dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Bake these cookies and watch smiles spread across faces faster than the caramel drizzles.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 170 kcal

Servings: 23

Ingredient List For Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies

• Caramel Candies: Soft, chewy centerpiece that creates a luxurious molten surprise inside each cookie, choose individually wrapped soft varieties for easiest melting.
• Heavy Cream: Transforms caramel into silky smooth filling, select high-fat content cream for optimal texture and richness.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, use room temperature unsalted butter for consistent mixing.
• Peanut Butter: Delivers nutty depth and creamy consistency, opt for natural smooth varieties without added sugars.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges, select fine-grain white sugar.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes moisture and deep caramel notes, choose fresh, soft brown sugar.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, select pure vanilla for best taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's fundamental structure, use fresh, sifted flour for smooth texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensure baking soda is fresh and not expired.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Sea Salt (Optional Garnish): Adds sophisticated flavor contrast, sprinkle flaky sea salt for elegant finish.

Tools You’ll Need For Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cookie dough ingredients smoothly.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Perfect for melting caramel candies with cream.
• Baking sheet: Crucial for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper or silicone mat: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps measure ingredients accurately.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth mixtures.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool properly without getting soggy.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar effortlessly.

How To Bake Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies

• Caramel Heart Preparation

A luscious pool of melted caramel becomes the secret treasure nestled inside each cookie. Gently melt caramel candies with cream until silky smooth, allowing the mixture to rest and slightly cool.

• Dough Foundation

Create a rich, tender dough by blending creamy peanut butter with soft butter and sweet sugars. Whisk in an egg and vanilla for depth, then slowly incorporate flour to form a tender mixture that promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

• Cookie Crafting

Transform the dough into delicate orbs with a molten caramel center. Flatten small portions of dough, tuck a dollop of caramel inside, and carefully seal the edges to create perfect spheres that hint at the surprise waiting within.

• Oven Magic

Warm the oven to a cozy temperature. Arrange cookie spheres on a lined baking sheet, giving each room to spread. Bake until edges turn golden and tops show gentle cracking, preserving a soft, tender interior.

• Final Flourish

Let cookies rest briefly after baking, allowing them to firm up slightly. Optional sea salt sprinkle adds a sophisticated touch that elevates the sweet-salty profile. Serve warm for oozing caramel or cooled for a more settled center.

Tips And Tweaks For Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies

• Caramel Swirl Trick: Use a small spoon or piping bag to precisely place caramel in cookie centers, preventing messy overflow and ensuring each bite has perfect caramel distribution.
• Dairy-Free Transformation: Replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free caramel alternatives like coconut milk-based caramel for lactose-sensitive friends. Vegan peanut butter works wonderfully in this adaptation.
• Freezer Prep Magic: Make cookie dough balls in advance and freeze up to 3 months. Store unbaked cookies in airtight containers, then bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time for perfect results.
• Salt Lover's Hack: Experiment with different finishing salts like smoked sea salt or Himalayan pink salt to elevate the caramel-peanut butter flavor profile. A light sprinkle creates complex taste dimensions that complement the sweet base.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to improve texture and prevent crumbling, ensuring celiac-friendly cookies maintain their delightful softness.

Serving Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies Made Simple

• Cozy Milk Pairing: Dunk these warm, gooey cookies into a cold glass of whole milk for a classic comfort experience that enhances the rich peanut butter and caramel flavors.
• Dessert Platter Paradise: Create an indulgent dessert board with these cookies, adding chocolate truffles, salted caramel ice cream, and fresh berries to complement the sweet and salty profile.
• Afternoon Tea Twist: Serve alongside a steaming cup of chai or caramel-infused coffee, allowing the cookies to be a delightful companion that elevates your relaxation moment with their decadent texture and warmth.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package the cookies in a cute mason jar or vintage tin with a ribbon, making them a perfect homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads delicious joy.

Store Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies With Ease

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture recovery.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough balls with caramel filling and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking. This technique intensifies flavor development and provides convenient prep options.
• Temperature Tricks: When serving chilled cookies, let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to restore softness and reactivate caramel's silky texture.

Gooey Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Irresistible peanut butter caramel cookies blend rich nutty flavors with sweet caramel undertones. Homemade cookies deliver comfort and indulgence with each delightful bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (115 g) peanut butter, creamy
• ½ cup (115 g) butter, unsalted, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar, granulated
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar, light brown, packed
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) flour, all-purpose
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 24 caramel candies, soft (Kraft or Werthers)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) cream, heavy
• Sea salt for sprinkling (optional)

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Instructions

1. Caramel Preparation: Melt caramel candies with cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring at intervals until a smooth liquid forms. Allow to cool slightly.
2. Dough Mixing: Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars until uniform. Blend in egg and vanilla extract thoroughly, creating a cohesive base.
3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold into wet mixture, forming a tender dough without overmixing.
4. Filling and Shaping: Divide dough into rounds, creating a small cavity in each. Inject cooled caramel into the center, fully encasing it and rolling into smooth spheres.
5. Oven Configuration: Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining generous spacing between cookies.
6. Baking Process: Cook for 10-12 minutes until edges set and surfaces develop subtle cracking. Centers should remain slightly soft for optimal texture.
7. Cooling Technique: Rest cookies on baking sheet momentarily to stabilize structure. Carefully transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Finishing Touch: Sprinkle warm cookies with sea salt to elevate flavor profile. Serve either warm for gooey caramel or cooled for firmer texture.

Notes

• Control Caramel Temperature: Allow caramel to cool slightly before inserting into cookie dough to prevent immediate melting and maintain structural integrity.
• Seal Caramel Carefully: Completely encase caramel center within dough to prevent leakage during baking, using gentle pinching techniques to close potential gaps.
• Mind Baking Time: Watch cookies closely during 10-12 minute window; slight underbaking ensures soft, chewy texture while preventing excessive browning.
• Optimize Salt Finishing: Sprinkle fine sea salt immediately after baking to enhance flavor depth and create delightful sweet-savory contrast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg