Festive Caramel Dream Cookies! ✨
Indulge in these delightful Festive Caramel Dream Cookies, featuring a soft cookie base, luscious melted caramel, and a rich milk chocolate drizzle. Perfect for sharing holiday joy or savoring as a special treat!
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Handheld Mixer
- Microwave-safe bowls
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
For the Delightful Cookie Base
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.5 cup shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
For the Luscious Caramel & Chocolate Topping
- 11 ounces caramel bits or unwrapped caramel candies
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 0.25 tsp kosher salt for caramel
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to a gentle 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cleanup and set it aside.
- Creamy Blend: In a spacious bowl, use a handheld mixer to combine the softened butter, shortening, granulated sugar, room-temperature eggs, and fragrant vanilla extract until the mixture is beautifully smooth and creamy. This forms the perfect foundation for your cookies!
- Dry Mix Magic: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour, cornstarch (our secret for keeping these large cookies wonderfully soft yet sturdy), a pinch of kosher salt, and baking powder. Mix carefully until all the dry ingredients are just incorporated – be sure not to overmix!
- Shape & Bake: Scoop out about ¼ cup of dough for each cookie (or use two 2-tablespoon scoops, combining them into one). Place these dough balls about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet. Lightly flatten each ball to about ¼ to ½-inch thickness using the bottom of a glass. This ensures even baking and that classic shape.
- Golden Perfection: Bake for 12 minutes for a delightfully softer cookie, or extend to 14 minutes if you prefer a slightly firmer texture.
- Cool Down: Once baked, carefully remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key before we add our luscious toppings!
- Melt the Caramel: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramel bits (or unwrapped candies), heavy cream, and the ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Microwave in short 30-second increments, stirring thoroughly after each, until the caramel is wonderfully smooth and pourable.
- Caramel Drizzle: Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the warm, melted caramel onto each cooled cookie, spreading it gently. If your caramel starts to firm up, simply pop it back into the microwave for a few seconds to soften it again.
- Chocolate Finish: In another medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the milk chocolate chips in similar 30-second intervals, stirring until the chocolate is glossy and smooth.
- The Grand Finale: Once the caramel has had a chance to set slightly (you can chill the cookies briefly to speed this up), drizzle or spread about a tablespoon of the melted chocolate over each caramel-topped cookie.
- Enjoy: Allow the chocolate to set, then indulge in these easy-to-make, healthier-at-home treats! They're perfect for sharing the holiday joy or savoring as a special New Year's delight.
Notes
Allow the chocolate to set, then indulge in these easy-to-make, healthier-at-home treats! They're perfect for sharing the holiday joy or savoring as a special New Year's delight.
Nutrition Information (per cookie):
Calories: 436 kcal
Total Carbs: 60g
Net Carbs: 55g
Fats: 30g
Protein: 6g
Calories: 436 kcal
Total Carbs: 60g
Net Carbs: 55g
Fats: 30g
Protein: 6g
