Chocolate Chip Caramel Pretzel Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies with sweet caramel bits and crunchy salty pretzels.
A chocolate chip cookie may quite possibly be the best thing on the planet and how do you make it even better? I am so glad you asked. It's by adding some sweet caramel bits and salty pretzels to get the perfect sweet + salty combination. These Salty Sweet Caramel Pretzel Cookies are one of my most popular cookie recipes of all time.
Does anyone remember the old school "Parent Trap" sequel made in the 1980's (for sure I am dating myself)? While the parents are gone, the girls take out a big bowl and started to make cookies by adding everything and anything they could get their hands on - marshmallows, chocolate, M & M's, potato chips, etc? I would rewind that over and over and dream about reenacting that cookie experience....and basically, we are doing just that! We are doing what those smart girls did in that movie and putting delectable ingredients into already perfect chocolate chip cookies.
These Salty Sweet Chocolate Chip Caramel Pretzel Cookies have that coveted buttery, crispy edges and chewy center. You get a little crunch from the pretzels, sweetness from the caramel bits and richness from the semi-sweet chocolate.
Here are a few tips for making the BEST Salty Sweet Chocolate Chip Caramel Pretzel Cookies:
- Cream your butter + sugars for 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Adding 1 egg and 1 egg yolk changes the cookie. Egg whites are important in baked goods but can dry them out. Using a 1 whole egg + egg yolk creates a rich cookie.
- I use a secret ingredient that is completely optional. I've made this recipe with and without it and both turn out amazing. It just changes the texture of the cookie so if you have it on hand - add 1 Tablespoon of powdered milk. It sounds crazy but it adds a creamy texture without adding more liquid.
- You can use all milk chocolate chips or a mix of milk and semi-sweet. Actually, you can use any chocolate you want - this is YOUR cookie. If you want your chocolate to melt throughout, chop up a bar or block of chocolate. It's made differently than a chocolate chip so it melts more....and it looks so beautiful!
- I used Kraft Caramel Bits for these cookies. I tried Trader Joe's caramel as well but they didn't hold their shape and spread a lot. Caramel bits are very obedient and stay put.
- You can use any type of pretzels. I used pretzel sticks and crumbled them in my hand before adding them to the mixer. You can chop them into medium size pieces with a knife as well.
Salty Sweet Caramel Pretzel Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter softened slightly
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- 1 Tablespoon Powdered Milk optional
- 2 ½ cup Flour
- ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Milk Chocolate Chips or 1 cup semisweet + 1 cup milk chocolate
- 1 cup Caramel Bits from Kraft or caramels cut into small pieces
- 1 cup Pretzels break up with hands or chop into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and sugar for 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
- Add egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and powdered milk (optional) and cream until combined.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt and stir just until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips, caramel bits, and pretzels.
- Use Silpat or parchment paper on a baking sheet so the caramel doesn't stick to the pan. Drop dough onto baking sheet.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes or until lightly golden brown on the edges.
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Thank you for all of your support and love. xoxo
Happy Baking!
Kathy
how much cream?
carol
I don't see how much cream is to be added in the ingredients for direction #3. I added 1 tablespoon but wondered if it was necessary. These are my daughters favorite cookie and since she doesn't like cake i made them for her 50th birthday.
Modern Honey
Hi Carol! In that sentence, "cream" is a verb. Technically, to cream or creaming means mixing butter and sugar together on a moderately high speed until well blended, fluffy and pale yellow. I hope that helps!
Ann
I just made these for a 4th of July gathering, and thought they were wonderful! I didn't have the powdered milk, but will try it next time. I did use half butter flavored shortening, as I had some I needed to use. Yummy!
Ashton Grant
Hi,
Won't this cookie be too saly because of the 3/4 teaspoon of salt and the salt from the pretzels?
That Linda
Amazing cookies! I used these new pretzel balls someone gave to me. They’re the size of large peas. Perfect in these cookies. I had Kraft wrapped caramels and cut them in quarters. I also sprinkled the tops with salt because the salty-sweet thing is amazing! Thanks for the great recipe!
Nancy
Hi,
First, your creations look amazing! I just bought Reeses dipped pretzels and I would like to use them in a cookie recipe. Since they are already sweet, any thoughts on how I could adjust your recipe?
Thanks!
PT
Hi!
Love the recipe!! Would I be able to store the cookie dough in the fridge for a few days? Not sure if the pretzels will get too soft or hard? Want to make them early and bake them on Halloween day. Thanks!
Kris
Yum! Just because I had some, I decreased the milk chocolate and added a cup of heath bits. Will make again. Next time I will try with the powdered milk. Thanks
Erica
These are killer!! An absolute winner.
Jamie
These look amazing! I'm making them for my friend/coworker who is retiring next week and loves sweet and salty things. The servings listed is 20. Is that 20 cookies? Or is a serving size more than one cookie? I want to be sure I have enough. They're sure to be popular! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Lateefa
I made these 3 days ago and man oh man were they good! I devoured them and I brought them to work with me and they were a HIT! I think next time I will play around and try different things in the cookie mix. This is definitely going to be one of those recipes I am going to make over and over.
holly
ok so these yummies are currently in the oven andI cannot wait until i get to try them... the cookie dough is to die for!!! also.. because our new super Walmart is so popular they had no chocolate chips!!!! of any brand. I didn't think i could make them till my genius plan to get M&Ms instead. they make the batter soo colorful 🙂 then I read your helpful tips with the chocolate stuff and i thought "how appropriate" haha.
Making them for a super bowl party and I know they will be a hit! Ill let you know how it goes!
Modern Honey
No chocolate chips! How dare thee, Walmart? 🙂 But, if I were to choose anything in the world, it would be M & M's so that was a solid choice, Holly. They may be even better with M & M's and I better go do some research in the kitchen. You are the cutest for trying out all of the recipes. xoxo