Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Caramel Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate treat for anyone with a sweet tooth! They combine the rich flavors of caramel and peanut butter with the crunch of Butterfinger pieces and the decadence of chocolate-covered caramels. The soft and chewy texture, paired with the gooeyness of the caramel and chocolate chips, makes these cookies irresistibly delicious. They’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re baking for a special treat or just satisfying a craving!

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Ingredients

• For the Cookie Dough:

  • 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1/4 cup (60 g) peanut butter

  • 3/4 cup (165 g) brown sugar, packed

  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar

  • 1 egg, cold

  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.1 g) caramel extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.1 g) vanilla extract

  • 1 3/4 cups (210 g) all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) baking powder

• For the Mix-ins:

  • 1/2 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1/2 cup Rolos or other chocolate-covered caramels, chopped

  • 1/2 cup Butterfinger candies, chopped

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Directions

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar, and mix on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

3. Add Egg and Extracts: Stir in the egg, caramel extract, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.

4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until everything is just incorporated.

5. Add the Mix-ins: Stir in the chocolate chips, chopped Butterfinger pieces, and chopped chocolate-covered caramels (like Rolos).

6. Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop (about 1.69 oz), drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. This recipe should yield about 19 cookies.

7. Bake: Bake for 9-10 minutes. The cookies will look slightly underdone, but that’s okay! They will firm up as they cool and stay chewy and soft.

8. Cool: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. Once they’re cool, they will set and have that perfect soft and chewy texture.

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Servings and Timing

• Servings: This recipe makes about 19 cookies.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes

• Cooking Time: 9-10 minutes

• Total Time: 25 minutes

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Variations

• Nuts: Add some chopped peanuts or almonds to the dough for an extra crunchy texture that complements the peanut butter.

• Other Chocolate Options: Swap the chocolate chips for milk chocolate or white chocolate chips for a different twist on the flavor.

• Gluten-Free: You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

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Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

• Freezing: These cookies freeze well! To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

• Reheating: To warm them up, pop the cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or heat them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes.

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FAQs

1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
   Yes, crunchy peanut butter will add extra texture to the cookies and enhance the peanut flavor, so feel free to use it if you prefer!

2. Can I make these cookies without caramel extract?
   If you don’t have caramel extract, you can omit it, or substitute with a splash of vanilla extract for an extra boost of flavor.

3. What if I don’t have a cookie scoop?
   No worries! You can use a tablespoon to scoop the dough, just make sure to space the cookies about 2 inches apart.

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Conclusion

These Caramel Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and chewy. With the richness of peanut butter and caramel, and the added crunch from Butterfingers and chocolate-covered caramels, these cookies are a treat you won’t want to miss. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they’re the ultimate indulgence for any cookie lover!

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