Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Cookies combine the hearty texture of oats with creamy peanut butter, rich caramel, and decadent chocolate. Perfectly sweetened and topped with a touch of sea salt, these no-bake cookies are quick to prepare and require chilling to set, delivering chewy, gooey, and irresistible treats in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup chocolate chips (for melting)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Optional
- Sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Create the Cookie Base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, and whole milk. Stir gently until the butter melts and the mixture begins to bubble slightly. Once the brown sugar has fully dissolved, remove the pan from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Gradually add the oats, stirring to coat them evenly. The mixture should be sticky and capable of holding together when pressed.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, portion the oat mixture onto a parchment-lined tray. Flatten each portion gently into a circular shape using the back of a spoon. Create a small indentation in the center of each cookie to hold the caramel topping.
- Add the Caramel Layer: Spoon about a teaspoon of caramel sauce into the indentation of each cookie. Be generous as the caramel will firm up slightly once cooled, ensuring a deliciously gooey center.
- Drizzle the Chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave by heating in 20-second bursts, stirring after each interval until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a piping bag or use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate evenly over the cookies in sweeping, decorative lines.
- Let Them Set: Place the cookies in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the caramel and chocolate to firm up, resulting in perfectly set cookies with a delightful texture. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top before chilling to enhance the flavor contrast.
Notes
- Use either creamy or chunky peanut butter based on your texture preference.
- If you prefer a firmer caramel center, chill the cookies longer or use a thicker caramel sauce.
- These cookies do not require baking, making them a quick and easy treat.
- For added flavor, you can toast the oats lightly before mixing to enhance their nuttiness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
Keywords: peanut butter cookies, no bake cookies, caramel cookies, chocolate drizzle cookies, easy dessert, oatmeal cookies
