Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies - Amy

Here is the recipe.  I got the original idea from a customer who was looking for chocolate chips.  When I asked her what she was making, she said, "salted caramel chocolate chip cookies".  This gave me the idea to modify the recipe I have been using for years for "regular" chocolate chip cookies.  I should tell you that the original recipe was developed after my son (at age 8 or 9) told us that my cookies were not as good as our neighbor's.  I was so wounded by his remark that I spent lots of time and effort figuring out what would top my neighbor's cookies.  I finally got it right after years of effort.  Now, maybe 10 years after the "perfected" recipe, I think I may have actually improved it.  Everybody who has tried it has given it a good review.  This is very exciting to me!  So, here it is.  I hope you enjoy it...

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. espresso powder

1/2 cup butter or margarine (I use Fleischman's unsalted margarine)

3 tbsp. granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup dark chocolate covered caramel candies, cut into small chunks (bought at Trader Joe’s)

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine flour baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder.  Set aside.

In bowl of stand mixer, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar.  Mix until well combined.

Add egg and vanilla.  Beat until creamy.

Gradually add in flour mixture until well combined.

Mix in caramels and chocolate chips.

Scoop (with cookie scooper) onto parchment-covered cookie sheet.  Bake for 11 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool.  Caramel may ooze out sides of cookies while baking.  When cool, use sharp knife to separate cookies and cut off errant bits of caramel.

Theoretically, this recipe makes three dozen small cookies.  This has never really been proven, though.  It all depends how much dough actually makes it into the oven.

I usually get about two dozen cookies and a big sugar rush.

Enjoy!

Amy