Caramel Nut Chocolate Cookies
Delicious caramel nut chocolate cookies combine rich chocolate, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel for a decadent treat perfect for sharing or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 2/3 cup all vegetable shortening ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 cups miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecans chopped ⓘ
- 20 to 25 unwrapped and halved caramels ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine brown sugar, shortening, water, and vanilla in a large bowl.
- Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until well blended.
- Beat eggs into the creamed mixture.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture at low speed until just blended.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls.
- Dip the tops of the dough balls into chopped pecans.
- Place on ungreased baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Press half a caramel into the center of each cookie.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are set.
- Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Remove cookies to a piece of aluminum foil to cool completely.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar. You can also substitute the pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty taste. If you prefer, use butter in place of vegetable shortening for a more traditional cookie texture. Ensure the caramels are soft or microwave them for a few seconds before pressing into the cookie dough for easier handling.
Serving Suggestions
These Caramel Nut Chocolate Cookies are delightful on their own, but pair beautifully with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience. For a festive touch, serve them alongside 'Ole Fashion Candied Yams' during holiday gatherings or as part of a dessert platter with other treats.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. To reheat, simply microwave for about 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Caramel Nut Chocolate Cookies contains roughly 80 calories, with 1g protein, 9g carbohydrates, and 3g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! You can use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips based on your preference. If you want to add a twist, try using white chocolate chips or a combination of different types for a unique flavor profile.
What can I use if I don't have shortening?
If you don't have shortening, you can substitute it with an equal amount of unsalted butter. This will add a rich flavor and slightly change the texture, making the cookies a bit softer but still delicious.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when they are set around the edges but still soft in the center. They may appear slightly underbaked, but they will continue to firm up as they cool. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).