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Caramel Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

4.7 from 77 reviews

Delight in these chewy Caramel Oatmeal Cookies featuring a perfect blend of rich caramel centers, toffee bits, and old-fashioned oats. With a touch of flaked salt on top, these cookies balance sweetness and texture beautifully, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter (room temperature)
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • ¾ cups dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1¼ cups old-fashioned oats

Add-ins and Toppings

  • ½ cup toffee bits
  • 14 caramels (soft, individually wrapped)
  • Flaked salt for topping

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugars: Place the butter and both sugars in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix on medium speed until smooth and fully incorporated, approximately 30 seconds.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour to the mixture. Mix slowly to avoid overmixing—stop when some flour remnants remain to maintain a tender texture. Then add the oats and mix on low speed just until combined. Finally, fold in the toffee bits by hand for even distribution.
  4. Shape Cookies with Caramels: Using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, form dough balls. Take one soft caramel, roll it into a small ball, and gently press it into the center of each cookie dough ball without pushing it too deep.
  5. Chill Dough: Place the cookie dough balls on a plate or tray and chill in the refrigerator for anywhere between 2 to 24 hours to improve texture and flavor.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and arrange 6 to 8 cookie dough balls per sheet, spacing them evenly. Sprinkle flaked salt lightly on top of each cookie.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. After removing from the oven, sprinkle a little extra flaked salt onto the warm cookies for enhanced flavor balance.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your chewy caramel oatmeal cookies either warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spreading and intensifying flavor.
  • Use soft caramels for easier shaping and melty centers.
  • Adjust flaked salt to taste to balance sweetness perfectly.
  • If you don’t have toffee bits, chopped chocolate or nuts can be a good substitute.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Caramel oatmeal cookies, chewy cookies, caramel cookie recipe, oatmeal cookie with caramel center, toffee cookies