Caramel-Filled Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
April 1, 2013
Happy first of April, everyone! My mind is having a difficult time wrapping itself around the fact that my food blog is four years old. Sometimes at 2:18 am, when I can't sleep, and in between playing with my Monopoly app (Al cheats!), I find myself trying to come with a clever tagline. Everything that floats through my head sounds cheesy, or trite, or phony - like a too-much-makeup induced infomercial perma-grin. So, if it's all the same, I'll stick with my usual nonsensical style of food blogging.
It's a lot like me, this little blog - full of idiosyncrasies, random bouts of self-deprecation, and an innate ability to go from speaking with flowery words to tripping, gracelessly, over comma's and the phrase "super-*insert ambiguous adjective*."
But *cheers* to another four + years. And a huge Thank You - to everyone who visits (new and old!). And thank you to my fellow food bloggers too! You're an amazing group of beautiful people. (Even if I am, at times, super-jealous of your fancy cameras, product giveaways, and Anthropologie photo props.) XO
A few weeks ago I won a cookbook giveaway held by Lora - of the blog Cake Duchess! The book is called "Simply Sensational Cookies," by Nancy Baggett (even her last name makes me want to grab a bag of flour and four sticks of butter!).
Nancy's book is a cookie lover's dream come true. This particular recipe caught my attention because of it's uniqueness; instead of tossing in cocoa powder, about half of the chocolate morsels are melted along with the butter - creating an intoxicating chocolate soup-like elixir. The caramel bit was my idea - I have a large stash of wrapped caramels (left over from a shameful attempt at homemade Samoas).
The cookies are addicting, but if any happen to stick around long enough to see a second day, try popping one onto the microwave for about 10 seconds - this will soften the caramel, and the chips!
*Cheers*
Caramel-Filled Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
makes about 22 large cookies
ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (that's 2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
16 ounces (about 2 2/3 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
about 12 caramel candies, unwrapped and cut in half
Coarse sea salt (optional)
method
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; Set aside.
Place the cubes of butter into a large saucepan and melt over medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add 2/3 cup of the chocolate chips. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth; scrape into a large, heat-proof mixing bowl. Add both sugars and whisk vigorously until well combined. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10-15 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition; scrape down the edges of the bowl as needed. Whisk in the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and, using a large rubber spatula, fold them into the chocolate mixture until all streaks of flour have disappeared. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of chocolate chips. {Note: If the dough looks too crumbly, stir in a teaspoon of cream or water - until the dough holds together.} Cover the bowl tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (preferably overnight).
Remove the dough from the fridge and allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
For each cookie, measure out 2 ounces of dough (about two heaping Tablespoons). Roll each cookie into a ball, use your thumb to press a wide well in the center of each ball and place half a caramel into the center. Fold the dough over the caramel and re-roll into a ball. Using your palm, press the ball of dough down to about 1/4-inch thickness (don't worry if the caramel candy pokes through a bit.) Repeat the process with the remaining dough.
Place the caramel-filled cookies on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 2-inches of space between each. Sprinkle each cookie with the coarse sea salt (if using). Bake for 10-13 minutes. {Note: There is no visual way to tell when the cookies are done, but it's better to under-bake than to leave them in too long - mine were Perfect after 11 minutes.} Remove the sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest for about 6 minutes before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack - use a slim spatula to transport the cookies - they will still be quite soft and tender, but once they have cooled off, they will be fabulous!
If your cookies last long enough to see a second day, pop them into the microwave for about 10 seconds - to soften the caramel center!
Recipe adapted from Simply Sensational Cookies, by Nancy Baggett ♥
These look so incredible. I think I am going to crown you the queen of cookies.
ReplyDeleteDidnt know your blog was 4 yrs old...congrats!
ReplyDelete"a shameful attempt at homemade Samoas" - oh, you too? I've been there. I will happily by them. Wayyyyyy toooo fussy and too many stages to even deal with!
And these cookies. Love that there's melted choc in the dough. I have a quintuple chocolate cookie (based on a C.I. recipe) and more recently a brownie cookie (based on Donna Hay's recipe) that use melted choc (and cocoa powder) But the melted choc creates the BEST cookies! Pinning!
Happy, Happy FOUR years, Valerie! May you enjoy many, many more!!! I'm ready to take a bite right out of my laptop right now! These cookies are incredible!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 4 years of blogging and winning a cookie cookbook(it's so you!) and making these fantastic cookies!!!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY!!!!! SOOOO happy to "know" you and your beautiful, delicious space! ♥ xoxo
ReplyDeleteChocolate and Caramel and Cookies ... yessssss! I'll take it! All of it!!
CHEERS!
Those cookies are breathtaking. I have another one of her cookbooks (on bread) but I had no idea she did cookies too.
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations on four years of blogging! Fancy cameras, product giveaways and Anthropologie photo props all pale beside the wit and beauty of your blog, still one of my favorites after all these years.
hahaha! Valerie-you're so funny. You can't be super jealous...your blog is so beautiful and your an inspiration with your photos and baking. Wow! Love these cookies and so happy you won the book! xx
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary! So glad I found you along the way during your sweet baking adventure :). I love these cookies, what a fabulous way to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, happy blog anniversary! Wow, 4 years of recipe writing and gorgeous photography and styling! That's quite a feat! More power to yah!
ReplyDeleteI think this recipe is totally up my alley! Perhaps this weekend, I get to make a batch! Wink ;)
Those cookies look to die for, I love caramel and chocolate together. Your photos are beautiful. Congrats on your 4 year anniversary of your blog. Sometimes I think if I quit blogging I would loose a few pounds :) but probably not I still love to eat.
ReplyDeleteHeavenly! Those cookies would not last last at my place.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Four years of food blogging, congratulations. Why has it taken me four years to find your food blog? Beautiful pictures, and just the best recipes. I look forward to seeing you pop into my mailbox. I know there will be something tempting and I can't wait to give the recipe a try. Chocolate caramel, yum.
ReplyDeleteHappy blog anniversary! These cookies are a perfect way to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4 years! Your cookies look ridiculously good! :)
ReplyDeleteThe happiest of blog birthdays to you! Random is good with me - everything you post is utterly delicious.
ReplyDeleteMaybe next weekend - still have some (not much) of that blueberry tart left.
ReplyDeleteWoo Happy 4 year blogiversary! These cookies look amazing, I've had Simple sensational cookies on my Amazon wishlist for ages, I'm so glad you've shared this recipe and the fact you love the book, loving the fact you added caramel to these as well, I love chocolate and caramel together!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4 years!!! These cookies look amazing, sounds like that was a good giveaway to win:-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 4 years! I love your recipes, and those cookies look great! Caramel is great for any occasion ;)
ReplyDeletefrom @aroundleglobe.blogspot.com
I had no idea you have been around 4 years?
ReplyDeleteHow long have I been around? Do you know?
LOL I know my memory is bad.
And just so you know, I have no such fancy camera!
I have a point and click thingee or my iphone.
Old school baby!!!
Congratulations on 4 years of blogging. That's enormously long! Great cookies and caramel always attracts my attention. Good tip about putting them in the microwave.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 4 great years!!! I still don't think you need a fancy camera, I am always in awe of your pictures!
ReplyDeleteThese cookies look incredible, I need to make them now!
Congrats on your Blog-o-versary! Congrats on pushing past that hurdle, some days I just can't must up the extra energy to do one more thing. Perhaps if I had one of these cookies the sugar rush would help. I think your photos are great, don't change them. I think all the extra props are just distracting anyways.
ReplyDelete-Gina-
These cookies look so delicious! I love that melted chocolate in the dough.
ReplyDelete4 years?! WoW! Happy blog anniversary Valerie! I love reading and drooling over your goodies.
ReplyDeleteI love anything that requires to melt the chocolate and butter, mmmm
Valerie - Congrats on four years of blogging!!! Woo Hoo! You are just a few months behind me. I love your blog and the photos are AMAZING, so no need to be in awe of fancy cameras - your photos are stunning. Speaking of stunning - these cookies are making my mouth drool!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on four delicious years of blogging, Valerie! I've enjoyed your blog since first stumbling upon it a couple (?) of years ago and it's become one of my favorites. Always a pleasure to visit here. Cheers to many more! :)
ReplyDeletehappy blogiversary!! i just love coming here and falling in love with the latest baked good you post...these cookies are really awesomely delicious, i am bookmarking this!
ReplyDeleteHappy four year blogiversary! Mmm, I love everything about these cookies. Yum!
ReplyDeleteHappy fourth blogging anniversary! I guess that's a big one in blogging years. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd that book and these cookies sound like a real treat. Look at those gooey middles! Yum.
4 years - that's amazing!! And you rock your camera, and your props, and giveaways are highly overrated. These cookies? NOT overrated.
ReplyDeleteCaramel filled chocolate chip cookies?! Totally need it in my life.
ReplyDeletesound delish and perfect for national caramel day!
ReplyDeleteCheers to 4 delicious years, Valerie! These cookies are calling my name..
ReplyDeleteFour years, wow! Congrats, Valerie!!! But I have to say, you don't need a fancy camera or Anthropology props, your photos are amazingly beautiful and your recipes, like these wonderful cookies, fabulous!!! I would be hopeless with these cookies in the house, very enticing!
ReplyDeleteHappy blog anniversary Valerie! Four years is a milestone and wishing you many more to come!
ReplyDeletep.s. your photos always looks beautiful, I wouldn't think you're not using a fancy one :)
Happy blog anniversary! These cookies look amazing. I'd love a melty caramel center!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What an achievement and a great milestone to accomplished. :) These cookies look and sound divine. Love caramel and chocolate together, I mean, who doesn't? ;)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 4 years!
ReplyDeleteThese cookies look to die for! I love the chocolate caramel combination!
Wow your recipes are amazing
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 4 years! Cheers to many many more! These cookies look perfect! Pinning!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and best wishes for another wonderful four years. Your blog is beautiful, obviously a reflection of who you are inside. Thank you for everything you share so generously!
ReplyDeletexo
@Janet, Thank you for the lovely compliment! :)
ReplyDelete