Name: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade); Optional: Sea salt for sprinkling

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If you are a dessert lover who enjoys the rich, irresistible duo of peanut butter and chocolate, then these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel are going to be your new favorite treat. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie packed with rich chocolate chips, and then discovering a little molten caramel surprise tucked right in the middle. The combination of salty, sweet, and gooey textures will keep you coming back for more. These cookies are perfect for sharing with friends, gifting during the holidays, or just treating yourself to something wonderfully indulgent.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Even though these cookies taste like a decadent treat, they’re made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully. Each item plays an essential role, whether it’s adding creaminess, sweetness, or that mouthwatering gooey caramel magic.

Creamy peanut butter: Provides richness and moistness—it’s the heart of the cookie’s flavor.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that perfect chewy texture.
Brown sugar: Brings a hint of caramel flavor and extra moisture for softness.
Large egg: Binds everything together and gives structure.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the depth of flavor and balances the sweetness.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender bite.
Salt: Boosts flavor and counterbalances the sweetness perfectly.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adds melty pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie.
Caramel sauce: The star that creates the gooey caramel center, adding luscious sweetness.
Sea salt (optional): A sprinkle on top to elevate the flavors with a slight crunchy contrast.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preparing a baking sheet lined with parchment paper makes sure your cookies don’t stick and come off effortlessly after baking. This simple step ensures smooth sailing for the entire baking process.

Step 2: Mix the cookie dough

Combine creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix everything until the dough turns smooth and well blended. This mixture is your base with all the rich flavors coming together perfectly. Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips next to spread those delicious pockets of chocolate throughout your dough.

Step 3: Form the cookies

Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion out your dough and drop the mounds spaced evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Here’s a little trick to make these cookies extra special: press a thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each dough mound to create a small well—the perfect spot to fill with gooey caramel after baking.

Step 4: Bake the cookies

Pop the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You want the edges just lightly golden while the centers remain a bit soft and underbaked. Don’t worry—that’s the secret to a chewy, tender cookie. Once out of the oven, immediately spoon caramel sauce into those little wells you created before. This keeps the caramel beautifully melted and gooey when you bite into the cookie.

Step 5: Cool and serve

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about five minutes to set slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle optional sea salt on top while the caramel is still warm. This tiny addition lifts the sweet flavors and brings a gourmet touch to your homemade cookies.

How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel

Garnishes

Sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt right after baking adds a delightful contrast to the rich sweetness, making these cookies dazzlingly complex. For some extra fun, drizzle a bit of melted chocolate or top with chopped roasted peanuts to enhance the peanut butter crunch and give a pretty finish.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk to balance the sweetness, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. You could also serve them alongside a cup of strong coffee or rich hot chocolate for a cozy treat on chilly days.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, stack these cookies tied together with a rustic ribbon or pack them in a pretty tin with parchment paper. At a party, arrange them on a platter around small bowls of caramel dip or peanut butter spreads for a DIY dipping station that guests will love. These ideas make sharing your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel all the more special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This storage method helps maintain their softness and the luscious gooey caramel center without drying out.

Freezing

If you want to save them longer, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their best quality for up to three months and be a ready-made treat whenever a craving strikes.

Reheating

To bring back that freshly baked vibe, warm the frozen or refrigerated cookies in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. This will soften the cookie and melt the caramel filling slightly, making it just as wonderfully gooey as the first time.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful texture with little peanut bits throughout the cookie. Just be aware it may be a bit drier, so watch your mixing to keep it balanced.

Is there a substitute for caramel sauce?

You can substitute caramel sauce with dulce de leche or even soft butterscotch sauce. Both provide a similar rich, gooey texture and complement the peanut butter and chocolate beautifully.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Since this recipe doesn’t call for any flour, these cookies are naturally gluten-free as long as your caramel sauce and chocolate chips are certified gluten-free. Always double-check labels to be safe!

What if I don’t have a cookie scoop?

No worries! You can simply use a tablespoon or even roll the dough by hand. The scoop mostly helps with uniform size but the cookies will taste just as delicious no matter the shape.

How do I prevent the caramel from leaking out during baking?

The caramel is added after baking, into the wells you created before baking. This method prevents it from spilling out during baking and keeps it perfectly gooey and melty inside each cookie.

Final Thoughts

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel truly embody everything wonderful about homemade baking — creamy peanut butter, bursts of chocolate, and that luscious caramel center that steals the show. Baking them is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they’ll become a beloved staple for your dessert lineup. Give them a shot and treat yourself to a sweet, gooey bite of happiness!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 8 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 18 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Gooey Caramel combine the rich flavors of creamy peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips with a decadent caramel center. Soft, chewy, and irresistibly sweet, these cookies are perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth.

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
Mix the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Mix well until the dough is smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated. Then gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
Form the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a small well or indentation in the center of each cookie to hold the caramel later.
Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft or underbaked, which is expected for a chewy texture. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately spoon a small amount of caramel sauce into the well of each cookie while they are hot.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set the caramel slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra burst of flavor, sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of sea salt before serving.

Notes

Store-bought caramel sauce is convenient, but homemade caramel sauce will enhance the flavor even more.
For a different twist, try using crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar by 1/4 cup.
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
To keep caramel gooey, reheat cookies briefly in the microwave before serving if stored chilled.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert, Cookie
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American