Description
Carmelita Cookies combine the rich, buttery texture of oatmeal cookies with the gooey sweetness of caramel in every bite. These delightful treats feature a soft cookie exterior encasing melted caramel and chocolate chips, finished with a touch of sea salt for a perfect sweet-salty balance.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg yolk
Additional
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
- 18 Kraft caramels, individually wrapped and cut in half
- Sea salt, freshly ground (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the cookies evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt; set aside. This mixture forms the base structure of the cookies.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, combine the melted salted butter, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, whole egg, and egg yolk. Mix until just slightly beaten to ensure a smooth wet mixture without overmixing.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to combine. Once combined, fold in the chocolate chips and quick oats to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
- Form Cookie Dough Balls: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form small balls of dough. Press your thumb gently into the center of one ball to create an indentation, then place half a caramel in it.
- Encasing the Caramel: Press another dough ball over the caramel-filled dough ball to encase the caramel completely inside. Ensure the edges are sealed to prevent caramel leakage during baking. Optionally, divide dough using a cookie scoop and fill in halves with caramel before sealing.
- Add Sea Salt: Lightly crack or grind sea salt over the top of each assembled cookie dough ball to enhance the sweet caramel and chocolate flavors.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until cookies turn golden brown on the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the gooey caramel surprise in every bite!
Notes
- Use quick oats for the best texture; old-fashioned oats may change the softness of the cookies.
- Ensure caramels are properly encased in dough to avoid melting and leaking during baking.
- Adjust sea salt quantity based on your taste preference for saltiness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness for up to 3-4 days.
- For a richer chocolate experience, consider using a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
