Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies

Here is a yummy recipe that I came up with the other day as I was wanting something chocolate. I originally made them without the salt and caramel but felt they needed a little something extra. They turned out great! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons hot water

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 cups dark chocolate chips

2 cups caramel bits (I found them near the chocolate chips)

coarse sea salt for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.

2. Mix together butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. 

3. Add eggs one at a time and beat until combined. Add vanilla extract. 

4. Mix together hot water and baking soda until dissolved. Add into batter. Add salt. Mix until combined.

5. Beat in flour one cup at a time until combined. 

6. Beat in cocoa powder.

7. Stir in chocolate chips.

8. Spoon heaping tablespoons of batter onto your cookie sheet leaving a few inches in between lumps of batter. Tip: for very round cookies, roll dough into balls lightly and then slightly push down with your fingers.

9. Bake for 10-14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. 

10. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Once slightly cooled transfer to wire rack. Using your fingers, push a small dip into the center of each cookie.

11. Melt caramel bits. I used the microwave.

12. Carefully spoon a teaspoon or so into the middle of each cookie.

13. Sprinkle with sea salt.

14. Enjoy!