Can I freeze chocolate chip caramel pretzel cookie dough to bake later?

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough balls. Place them in a sealed container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. When ready to bake, bake the dough balls directly from frozen; you may need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time. This method preserves the dough's flavor and texture without compromising cookie quality.

What can I use if I don’t have pretzels for the recipe?

If you don’t have pretzels, you can substitute with crunchy snacks like potato chips or nuts for a similar sweet and salty flavor. Alternatively, simply add more chocolate chips to maintain the cookie’s texture. Keep in mind these substitutions may alter the salty crunch, but they still create a delicious cookie.

Why is cornstarch included in this cookie recipe?

Cornstarch is added to soften the cookies and give them a tender, chewy texture. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can replace it with an extra tablespoon of flour. Leaving it out altogether may result in a denser cookie, so a substitute is recommended to achieve the best texture.

Will the caramel inside the cookies get hard after sitting out?

The caramel can become firmer or chewier at room temperature. To enjoy a soft, gooey caramel center, warm the cookie in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds before eating. This quick step restores the caramel’s melty consistency without affecting the cookie’s texture.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free by using almond flour?

Almond flour hasn’t been tested in this recipe, but using it as a 1-to-1 substitute for all-purpose flour may work. Be aware that almond flour behaves differently and can affect cookie structure and taste. You may need to adjust baking time or add binding ingredients like xanthan gum for best results.

Chocolate Chip Caramel Pretzel Cookies Recipe With Salted Flavor

Name: Chocolate Chip Caramel Pretzel Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 1 cup (two sticks) cold unsalted butter; – 1 cup packed brown sugar; – 1/2 cup white sugar; – 2 large eggs; – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; – 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (add more 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky or cookies come out too flat); – 1 tablespoon cornstarch; – 1 teaspoon baking soda; – 1 teaspoon baking powder; – 1/2 teaspoon salt; – 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips; – 1 1/2 cups chopped pretzels; – 15 soft caramels cut in half; – 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Description

🍪 These Salted Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies combine sweet, salty, and crunchy for an irresistible treat.
🍫 Featuring gooey caramel centers and crunchy pretzels, they’re a perfect blend of textures and flavors to satisfy any cookie craving.

Ingredients

– 1 cup (two sticks) cold unsalted butter

– 1 cup packed brown sugar

– 1/2 cup white sugar

– 2 large eggs

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (add more 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky or cookies come out too flat)

– 1 tablespoon cornstarch

– 1 teaspoon baking soda

– 1 teaspoon baking powder

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips

– 1 1/2 cups chopped pretzels

– 15 soft caramels cut in half

– 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Instructions

1-Prepare your oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

2-Cream the butter: Slice the cold butter and beat until smooth. This might take a bit of effort with cold butter, but it’s worth it for the final texture.

3-Add the sugars: Add the brown sugar and white sugar, then beat for 1-2 minutes until smooth. This process creates air pockets that help with the cookie texture.

4-Add wet ingredients: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract by beating until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.

5-Mix dry ingredients: On low speed, mix in the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined.

6-Add the mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped pretzels. You can check out our other crunchy cookie recipes for more inspiration.

7-Shape the cookies: Form dough into balls about 2 heaping tablespoons each. Flatten each ball, place a caramel half in the center, and wrap the dough around the caramel, sealing it completely.

8-Arrange on baking sheet: Place 9 cookies per lined baking sheet, giving them enough room to spread slightly.

9-Bake: Bake for 8-12 minutes until edges turn golden and tops are set, usually about 10 minutes. The cookies might look slightly underbaked in the center, but they will continue cooking as they cool.

10-Add finishing touch: Immediately sprinkle the warm cookies with coarse sea salt. This enhances the sweet and salty flavor combination.

11-Cool and serve: Allow cookies to rest on the baking pan for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack or enjoy warm.

Notes

🧈 Use cold butter and slice it thin for easier creaming and better texture.
🌟 If dough is too sticky, add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time to adjust consistency.
❄️ Cookies freeze well; reheat in microwave 10-20 seconds to restore gooey caramel texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 210
Sugar: 18 grams
Sodium: 120 mg
Fat: 11 grams
Saturated Fat: 6 grams
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 25 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Protein: 2 grams
Cholesterol: 20 mg

Keywords: Salted Caramel Cookies, Pretzel Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sweet and Salty