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Is there anything better than biting into a warm, chewy cookie loaded with chocolate, crunchy pecans, and a drizzle of caramel? These Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are your answer! They bring the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors, making them a treat you’ll want to bake again and again. The sea salt flakes sprinkled on top give them a touch of elegance and that extra pop of flavor. Trust me, they’ll be gone before you know it!
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
This recipe combines the best of all worlds. The rich, buttery dough is laced with melty chocolate chips, while the toasted pecans provide a delightful crunch. Add to that a swirl of gooey caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt, and you’ve got a cookie that checks all the boxes. These cookies are:
- Sweet and salty: That perfect combination we all crave.
- Crunchy and chewy: With soft centers and crisp edges, thanks to the ideal bake time.
- Packed with flavor: Between the chocolate, pecans, and caramel, every bite is an explosion of deliciousness.
Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make!
Ingredients for Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to bake these irresistible cookies:
- 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
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
Tools You’ll Need
To make these cookies, you’ll need a few simple kitchen tools:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (or a sturdy whisk)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Cooling rack
How to Make Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Now, let’s get to the fun part—baking these scrumptious cookies!
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and for easy cleanup.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect cookie texture! Once creamy, add 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Add the Eggs
Next, beat in the eggs, one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This will help ensure the cookies are nice and tender.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—you want your cookies to be light and soft.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips, Pecans, and Caramel
Now comes the fun part! Gently fold in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped pecans, and 1/2 cup caramel sauce. Make sure everything is evenly distributed in the dough for a balanced bite of cookie bliss.
6. Scoop the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart, giving them room to spread.
7. Sprinkle with Sea Salt
Before popping them in the oven, give each cookie a small pinch of sea salt flakes. This little touch will take your cookies to the next level, offering that delightful contrast between sweet and salty.
8. Bake
Bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft. Be careful not to overbake—they’ll firm up a bit more as they cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
What to Serve with These Cookies
These cookies are perfect on their own, but they also pair beautifully with:
- A cold glass of milk
- Hot coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert
Tips for the Perfect Cookies
- Don’t overmix: When combining the dry ingredients with the wet, mix just until you see no more flour. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill the dough: If you want thicker cookies, you can chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Watch the bake time: Pull them out when the edges are golden but the centers are still soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
- Homemade caramel sauce: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own caramel sauce for an extra personal touch.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
- Storing: Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can also freeze the cookie dough! Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply add a minute or two to the bake time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use different nuts?
Yes! Feel free to swap pecans with walnuts or almonds, depending on your preference.
What type of caramel sauce should I use?
Store-bought caramel works great for convenience, but if you have the time, homemade caramel sauce adds a rich, buttery flavor.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it’s a one-to-one ratio replacement.
Conclusion
These Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. The combination of sweet chocolate, rich caramel, crunchy pecans, and that touch of sea salt creates a cookie that’s anything but ordinary. They’re perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or to share with friends and family (if you’re willing to part with them!). I guarantee, after one bite, you’ll be hooked!
Give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to leave a comment or share your cookie photos on Pinterest! Happy baking!
Nutritional Information (per cookie):
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 15g
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Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate sweet and salty indulgence. Soft, chewy centers with golden, crispy edges, these cookies are packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, and a swirl of gooey caramel sauce. A sprinkle of sea salt flakes adds a perfect contrast, making each bite unforgettable! Easy to bake and perfect for sharing (or not!), they’ll quickly become a family favorite.
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
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined. - Add the Eggs:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. - Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. - Fold in Chocolate Chips, Pecans, and Caramel:
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel sauce, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough. - Scoop the Dough:
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. - Sprinkle with Sea Salt:
Lightly sprinkle each cookie dough ball with a pinch of sea salt flakes. - Bake:
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds, or omit the nuts altogether.
- Homemade caramel sauce adds a rich, buttery flavor, but store-bought works perfectly too.
- Cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg