Description
These decadent Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Cookies are the perfect balance of rich chocolate, sweet caramel, and crunchy hazelnuts. Each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors, making these cookies an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and become soft
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors
- Unsalted Butter: Softened, for a rich, tender cookie
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the dough
- Vanilla Extract: For a deeper flavor profile
- Cocoa Powder: Gives the cookies a chocolatey depth
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or milk chocolate, for that melty chocolate goodness
- Chopped Hazelnuts: Toasted hazelnuts for crunch and nutty flavor
For the Caramel:
- Soft Caramels: Unwrapped, to melt easily into the cookies
- Heavy Cream: To help make the caramel smooth and pourable
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped hazelnuts.
- Make the Caramel:
- In a small saucepan, melt the soft caramels with the heavy cream over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat.
- Form the Cookies:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a small well in the center of each cookie dough ball.
- Spoon a small amount of caramel into the well of each cookie.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers are still soft. The caramel will bubble a little, but it will firm up as the cookies cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve:
- Once cooled, serve the cookies and enjoy the gooey caramel center along with the crunch of hazelnuts and chocolatey goodness!
Notes
- You can drizzle some melted chocolate over the top of the cookies for an extra chocolatey touch.
- If you prefer a stronger hazelnut flavor, you can toast the chopped hazelnuts in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the dough.
- For a smoother caramel, you can use caramel sauce or make your own homemade caramel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chocolate cookies, caramel, hazelnut, dessert, treat, baking, sweet, gooey