Irresistible Carmelita Cookies Recipe: Gooey Caramel Magic

Crispy edges and gooey caramel make carmelita cookies a delightful surprise for anyone who loves sweet indulgences.

Layers of rich chocolate and buttery oats create a magical combination that melts in your mouth.

Soft caramel ribbons weave through a crumbly base, promising pure comfort in every bite.

Baking these treats fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that draws everyone closer.

Simple ingredients come together to craft a dessert that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Each cookie tells a story of warmth and happiness, inviting you to savor every delectable moment.

You won’t be able to resist these irresistible morsels of pure bliss.

Carmelita Cookies That Wow Every Bite

• Capture Sweet Complexity: Dive into a baking adventure that blends rich caramel, chocolate chips, and buttery oats into one sensational cookie experience.
• Master Delightful Technique: Learn a simple yet sophisticated method of hiding caramel candies inside soft, chewy cookie dough for a surprising molten center that delights taste buds.
• Perfect for Sharing Moments: Create a batch of crowd-pleasing treats ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual get-togethers where everyone craves a delectable homemade dessert.
• Customize with Ease: Experiment with different chocolate chip varieties or swap caramel candies for alternative fillings to make this recipe uniquely yours while maintaining its core deliciousness.

Ingredients for Carmelita Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides moisture and helps bind the cookie dough together.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create a soft, chewy texture.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent and contribute to the cookie's structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides structure to the cookies.
• Quick Oats: Adds a hearty texture and nutty flavor to the cookie base.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender crumb.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Chocolate Chips: Introduces pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookie.
• Caramel-Filled Candies: Creates a gooey, surprise center that makes these cookies extra special.

How to Bake Carmelita Cookies

Step 1: Whip the Butter and Sugar

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, blend butter and brown sugar at medium speed for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy and well combined.

Step 2: Mix in Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Kosher salt

Mix for another minute until the batter looks smooth and uniform.

Step 3: Blend Dry Components

• All-purpose flour
• Quick oats

Mix until just combined, ensuring no flour pockets remain.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently mix chocolate chips into the dough on low speed, distributing them evenly throughout.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour. Meanwhile, place caramel candies in the freezer to firm up.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Use a cookie scoop to portion dough. Stuff each dough ball with a frozen caramel candy, completely encasing it and creating a sealed round shape.

Space cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown and tops look set.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 4-5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips to Perfect Carmelita Cookies

• Freeze caramel candies before adding to cookie dough for easier handling and preventing melting during baking.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
• Chill the dough for at least an hour to enhance flavor development and prevent spreading during baking.
• Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven's performance to achieve perfectly golden edges.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and soft texture.

Variations to Try on Carmelita Cookies

• Gluten-Free Carmelitas: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and use certified gluten-free oats for celiac-friendly cookies.
• Vegan Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace butter with coconut oil, use egg substitutes like flax eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips with plant-based caramel alternatives.
• Nutty Chocolate Caramel Variation: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds into the dough for added crunch and depth of flavor, complementing the chocolate and caramel notes.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use sugar-free chocolate chips to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining delicious taste.

Pairing Suggestions for Carmelita Cookies

• Pair these decadent Carmelita Cookies with a rich, velvety caramel latte that echoes the cookie's gooey caramel center, creating a harmonious blend of sweet flavors that dance on your palate.
• Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk, which cuts through the cookie's richness and provides a smooth, creamy contrast to the chocolate and caramel notes.
• Enhance the experience with a small pour of tawny port wine, whose nutty, caramel undertones perfectly match the cookie's deep, complex sweetness and provide an elegant adult twist.

Storage Advice for Carmelita Cookies

• Store cooled Carmelita cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each cookie to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicious caramel center.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving their rich flavor and chewy consistency.
• Preheat oven to 300°F, place frozen or refrigerated cookies on a baking sheet, and warm for 3-5 minutes until they regain their soft, gooey texture. This method helps restore the cookies' fresh-baked taste and warmth.

FAQs

• Why do I need to freeze the caramel-filled candies?

Freezing the caramel candies helps prevent them from melting too quickly during baking, ensuring they stay intact inside the cookie and create a gooey caramel center.

• Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?

Quick oats work best for this recipe as they blend more smoothly into the dough. Old-fashioned oats might create a chunkier texture and won’t incorporate as evenly.

• How do I know if I've mixed the dough correctly?

The dough should look smooth and well-combined, with chocolate chips evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing, which can make the cookies tough – mix just until ingredients are incorporated.

Carmelita Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Irresistible carmelita cookies blend chocolate, caramel, and oats in a classic midwestern dessert. Crisp edges and gooey center make you crave another sweet bite from this crowd-pleasing treat.

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Ingredients

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• 1.25 cups (295 ml) butter (at room temperature)
• 1.5 cups (340 g) light brown sugar
• 3 cups (240 g) quick oats
• 1.75 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips
• 36 rolo candies (unwrapped and frozen)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. In an electric mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and brown sugar at medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
2. Introduce eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and kosher salt to the mixture. Blend for an additional minute until ingredients are fully integrated and texture appears uniform.
3. Lower mixer speed and gently fold in all-purpose flour, mixing until barely combined. Incorporate quick oats, adjusting mixer speed to ensure even distribution.
4. Fold chocolate chips into the batter on low speed, ensuring uniform dispersion throughout the dough.
5. Refrigerate dough for a minimum of 60 minutes, simultaneously freezing caramel-filled candies to maintain structural integrity.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
7. Using a cookie scoop, portion dough and strategically embed a frozen caramel candy in the center. Completely encase the candy, forming a sealed spherical shape. Arrange dough balls with 2-inch spacing on prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F, monitoring until edges turn golden and cookie tops set perfectly.
9. Rest cookies on baking sheet for 4-5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling and final texture development.

Notes

• Freeze caramel-filled candies beforehand to prevent melting during baking and ensure a perfect gooey center that stays intact.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent excessive spreading and maintain the cookies’ structured shape during baking.
• Experiment with different chocolate chip varieties like dark, milk, or semi-sweet to customize flavor profiles and match personal preferences.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal without breaking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 259
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 98 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg