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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Caramel Preparation: Melt caramel candies with cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring at intervals until a smooth liquid forms. Allow to cool slightly.
- Dough Mixing: Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars until uniform. Blend in egg and vanilla extract thoroughly, creating a cohesive base.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold into wet mixture, forming a tender dough without overmixing.
- 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.
- Oven Configuration: Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining generous spacing between cookies.
- Baking Process: Cook for 10-12 minutes until edges set and surfaces develop subtle cracking. Centers should remain slightly soft for optimal texture.
- Cooling Technique: Rest cookies on baking sheet momentarily to stabilize structure. Carefully transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
- 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