If you’re craving something that’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and downright indulgent, these Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are calling your name. Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey cookie loaded with rich chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, and decadent salted caramel. These cookies will make your kitchen smell like heaven, and trust me, they won’t last long once they’re out of the oven. Get ready to impress your friends, family, or just yourself with these irresistible treats!

Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are the ultimate dessert experience. They’re a beautiful combination of flavors and textures that come together in a way that will make your taste buds sing. Here’s why you’ll fall head over heels for them:

Perfect Flavor Balance: The sweet chocolate chips and caramel paired with the salty goodness of the sea salt and the nuttiness of the pecans create an irresistible combo. Each bite offers a new experience.

Customizable: Not a fan of pecans? No worries! You can easily swap them out for walnuts, almonds, or even skip them altogether. You do you!

Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a family gathering, a bake sale, or a treat for your friends, these cookies are sure to impress. They’ll be the first thing to disappear.

Easy to Make: Despite how gourmet they sound, these cookies come together pretty easily. The hardest part is waiting for them to bake (and trust me, that’s the toughest part).

Comforting: There’s something about the combination of warm cookies and gooey caramel that just makes everything feel cozy and comforting. Perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients

Here’s a breakdown of everything you need for these super indulgent cookies. Don’t let the list scare you—these ingredients come together for an unforgettable treat!

All-Purpose Flour: This gives the cookies their structure and that satisfying chewy texture.

Baking Soda: The leavening agent that makes your cookies rise and become soft.

Salt: Just a little to enhance all the sweet flavors and balance out the richness.

Butter: The key to making these cookies soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Brown Sugar: It adds depth and a slight caramel flavor to the cookies, creating a more complex sweetness.

Granulated Sugar: For that extra sweetness and slight crispiness on the edges.

Eggs: These help bind the dough together and add moisture, giving the cookies their perfect texture.

Vanilla Extract: Adds that comforting, warm flavor to the dough.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: For that classic chocolatey goodness that everyone loves.

Pecans: These crunchy nuts add a nutty depth that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel.

Salted Caramel: This is the star of the show, bringing that rich, buttery, salty-sweet flavor that takes these cookies to the next level.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Ready to make your house smell amazing? Follow these steps to bake up a batch of these irresistible cookies:

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and get those golden brown edges.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside for now—these dry ingredients will help give the cookies their chewy texture.

Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fully combined.

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cookies tough.

Stir in the Add-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel bits. Make sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Scoop and Roll: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out the dough and roll it into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set but slightly soft. Don’t overbake—these cookies are best when they’re still soft and gooey in the center.

Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with a glass of milk and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 18 cookies
Calories per serving: 200

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes

How to Serve Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are so good on their own, but if you want to take them over the top, here are a few serving ideas:

A Glass of Milk: There’s no better pairing than warm cookies and a glass of cold milk. You can’t go wrong!

With Ice Cream: Turn these cookies into a sundae! Add a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream for a dessert that’ll impress anyone.

On a Dessert Platter: If you’re hosting a get-together, arrange these cookies on a beautiful platter alongside other treats for a show-stopping dessert spread.

Gift them: Wrap them in parchment paper and tie them with a ribbon for a sweet homemade gift. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because.

Additional Tips

Add Extra Caramel: If you’re a caramel lover, drizzle some extra caramel sauce on top of the cookies once they’ve cooled. It adds a delicious extra layer of flavor!
Chill the Dough: If you have time, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape better and results in a chewier texture.
Mix-ins: You can swap the pecans for any other nut, or even throw in some toffee bits or chopped dried fruit for a fun twist.
Storage: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If they last that long, that is!

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?
A1: Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even macadamia nuts would be a great alternative.

Q2: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A2: Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and chill it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.

Q3: Can I substitute caramel bits with regular caramel candy?
A3: Yes, you can chop up caramel candy or use caramel sauce, though the bits are best for keeping the texture intact.

Q4: How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A4: You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that your caramel bits are also gluten-free.

Q5: How do I store leftover cookies?
A5: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Q6: Can I freeze these cookies?
A6: Yes, these cookies freeze well! Simply place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Q7: Can I add more chocolate chips?
A7: Of course! If you’re a chocolate lover, feel free to add more chocolate chips. Just be careful not to overload the dough, or it might not bake properly.

Q8: How do I make these cookies chewier?
A8: For chewier cookies, use more brown sugar than white sugar, and chill the dough before baking.

Q9: How long should I bake these cookies?
A9: Bake them for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. The center should be slightly soft but set.

Q10: Can I use salted caramel instead of regular caramel?
A10: Absolutely! The salted caramel will add a delicious extra layer of salty-sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate chips.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything you want in a cookie—chewy, gooey, nutty, and absolutely irresistible. With that perfect balance of sweet and salty, every bite will leave you craving more. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just because you deserve a treat, these cookies are sure to be a hit. So, grab your apron and get ready for the most indulgent cookie experience of your life!