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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup crushed pretzels - 1 cup chocolate chips - 1/2 cup soft salted caramel, cut into small pieces - Sea salt flakes for topping In these cookies, the unsalted butter gives a rich flavor. The brown sugar adds depth and moisture. Granulated sugar helps the cookies spread out nicely. Eggs give structure and help bind everything together. Vanilla extract adds a warm, sweet taste. The dry mix includes all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. The flour forms the base, while baking soda helps them rise. Salt balances the sweetness, making each bite perfect. Crushed pretzels provide crunch and saltiness. Chocolate chips melt in the oven, creating gooey pockets of chocolate. Soft salted caramel pieces melt as they bake, adding a sweet and salty twist. Finally, sea salt flakes on top enhance the flavor. - Additional Toppings - Flavor Variations (e.g., using peanut butter) - Gluten-Free Substitutes You can add extra toppings like nuts or coconut for fun. For a twist, try peanut butter instead of some butter. This gives a new flavor profile. If you want a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. Each choice adds a personal touch to your cookies. Preheating the Oven Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial. A hot oven helps the cookies bake evenly. While the oven heats, you can prepare your baking sheets. Preparing Baking Sheets Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will stop the cookies from sticking. It also makes cleanup a breeze. Creaming Butter and Sugars In a large bowl, add 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Use a mixer to cream these together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process adds air, making your cookies soft. Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla Next, beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time. Then add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined. This adds great flavor and richness to your dough. Whisking Flour Mixture In another bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This step ensures that the baking soda distributes evenly. Folding in Pretzels and Chocolate Chips Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Now, fold in 1 cup of crushed pretzels, 1 cup of chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup of soft salted caramel pieces. This will create a tasty mix of flavors and textures. Forming the Cookie Dough Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space them about two inches apart. This gives them room to spread while baking. Baking Time and Tips for Perfect Cookies Before baking, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt flakes on top of each cookie dough ball. Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, but the centers must stay soft. After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the sweet and salty flavors! To make cookies soft and chewy, use room temperature butter. Cream it with sugars until fluffy, which adds air. This step helps create a light texture. Avoid overbaking. The cookies should be golden on the edges but still soft in the center. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes. This helps them set without getting too hard. Add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth. You could also mix in some chopped nuts or toffee bits for a crunch. For a deeper flavor, swap the soft salted caramel for dark chocolate caramel. This change adds richness and a hint of bitterness. It balances the sweetness from the sugar and chocolate chips. Arrange cookies on a colorful plate. Drizzle extra caramel on top for a fancy touch. Sprinkle with more sea salt flakes for added flair. You can stack them high for a fun display. Serve with a side of ice cream for a delightful treat. This combo makes for a great dessert. {{image_2}} Gluten-Free Options You can easily make these cookies gluten-free. Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Many brands work well in cookies, so choose one you like. Make sure the pretzels are also gluten-free. They add a nice crunch to the dough. Vegan Alternatives To make these cookies vegan, swap the butter for a plant-based butter. Use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg. This will help bind the cookies. You can also choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a fully vegan treat. Different Sweeteners You can play with sweeteners in this recipe. Try using coconut sugar or maple syrup instead of brown sugar. Each sweetener adds its own flavor. You can adjust the amount based on how sweet you want the cookies. Adding Nuts or Fruits If you like nuts, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough. They will bring a nice crunch. Dried fruits like cranberries or cherries can also add a fun twist. Just remember to chop them small so they mix well. Ice Cream Sandwich Variant Turn these cookies into ice cream sandwiches. Bake the cookies a bit larger. Once cooled, add a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies. Press gently and enjoy a delicious treat! This is perfect for hot days. Cookie Ice Cream Bowl Another fun idea is to create a cookie ice cream bowl. Bake the dough in muffin tins instead of on sheets. Once cooled, fill each cookie bowl with ice cream. Drizzle with extra caramel and sprinkle with sea salt for an extra treat! - Use an airtight container to store cookies. - A glass jar or plastic tub works well. - Keep cookies in a cool, dry place. - Avoid direct sunlight or heat to prevent melting. - To freeze, place cookies in a single layer. - Use parchment paper between layers for easy access. - Seal in a freezer bag or container. - They can last up to three months in the freezer. - Thaw cookies at room temperature for best results. - You can also warm them in the oven for a few minutes. - This helps restore their soft texture. - Cookies last about one week at room temperature. - Store them properly to keep them fresh. - Look for hard or dry textures as signs of spoilage. - If they smell off or have mold, throw them out. What are Salted Caramel Pretzel Cookies? Salted caramel pretzel cookies are sweet and salty delights. They mix soft cookie dough with crushed pretzels, chocolate chips, and salted caramel pieces. Each bite gives you a fun crunch and a rich, sweet flavor. The sprinkle of sea salt on top adds the perfect touch. Can I make these cookies ahead of time? Yes, you can make these cookies ahead of time. You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to a month. Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, store it in a freezer bag. When you want to bake, just place the frozen dough on a baking sheet and add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. Why are my cookies spreading too much? If your cookies spread too much, your butter may be too warm. Use softened butter, not melted. Also, make sure you chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies keep their shape. How can I fix hard cookies? If your cookies turn out hard, you can try a few things. First, add a little more butter next time. You can also bake them for a shorter time. Keep an eye on the cookies in the oven. They should be golden around the edges but soft in the middle. What can I use instead of eggs? You can use unsweetened applesauce as a substitute for eggs. Use 1/4 cup of applesauce for each egg. This keeps your cookies moist and adds some sweetness. You can also use flaxseed meal mixed with water. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. Can I replace all-purpose flour? Yes, you can replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour if needed. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for best results. You can also use oat flour or almond flour, but that may change the texture a bit. In this post, we explored making salted caramel pretzel cookies. Key ingredients like butter, pretzels, and chocolate chips create great taste. We also reviewed steps to prepare, mix, and bake these treats perfectly. These cookies are easy to customize and great for any occasion. Experiment with ingredients to find your favorite flavor. Remember, practice makes perfect! Enjoy your baking journey and share these cookies with friends and family.

Salted Caramel Pretzel Cookies

Indulge in the perfect blend of flavor with these Sweet & Salty Pretzel Delights! This easy recipe combines buttery cookies with crunchy pretzels, rich chocolate chips, and gooey salted caramel for a treat that's simply irresistible. In just 30 minutes, you can create 24 delicious cookies that are perfect for any occasion. Click through to discover how to make these delightful snacks and impress your friends and family with your baking skills!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup crushed pretzels

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup soft salted caramel, cut into small pieces

Sea salt flakes for topping

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

    In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

      Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

        In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

          Fold in the crushed pretzels, chocolate chips, and small caramel pieces into the dough.

            Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart.

              Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt flakes on top of each cookie dough ball before baking.

                Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft.

                  Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies

                      - Presentation Tips: Arrange the cooled cookies on a decorative platter and drizzle with a bit of extra caramel sauce, if desired. Sprinkle with more sea salt flakes for an extra touch of flavor. Enjoy!