PEANUT BUTTER CARAMEL COOKIES
These Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with rich peanut butter flavor and gooey caramel centers. The perfect balance of sweet and salty, they make an irresistible treat for peanut butter lovers!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 24 soft caramel candies such as Werther’s or Kraft, unwrapped
- 1 tablespoon milk if needed for soft dough
- Coarse sea salt optional, for garnish
Instructions
Step No.1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step No.2: Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
Step No.3: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture and stir until combined. If dough is too thick, add 1 tablespoon milk.
Step No.4: Shape the Dough
- Roll 1 tablespoon of dough into a ball, flatten slightly, and place one caramel candy in the center. Wrap dough around the caramel and roll into a smooth ball.
Step No.5: Bake the Cookies
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set and slightly golden.
Step No.6: Cool and Enjoy
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, if desired.
Notes
- For Extra Soft Cookies: Do not overbake—cookies will continue to set as they cool.
- Stuffing Tip: If caramel candies are hard, microwave them for 5 seconds before stuffing into the dough.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled cookies for extra indulgence.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter: Swap creamy peanut butter for crunchy to add texture.
- Salted Caramel Version: Use salted caramel candies for a sweet-salty flavor boost.