These sugar cookies have a surprise inside! Bite through the tender, chewy cookie into a pocket of chocolate and caramel. Always a favorite with both kids and adults!
Valentine's Day is a little different than it used to be. The days of indulging in desserts such as Brie Cheese & Strawberry Puff Pastry "Ravioli" with Chocolate Sauce are fewer and farther between, and easy cookie and bars have taken control of Cupid's arrow.
When my husband and I lived in New York City, we spent each February 14th at one of our favorite jazz clubs, such as The Iridium or Sweet Basil (now closed, which breaks my heart). Pressed closely together at a small table in front of the stage, we wiled away the hours, soaking in the dulcet tones of Kevin Mahogany or another headliner. As the last set finished, giddy from a few cocktails, we tumbled onto the subway headed to uptown to our apartment, walking the last few blocks to our apartment in a relatively quiet enclave of the city.
Since having kids, Valentine's Day has changed. That's not a bad thing. It's just different. Rather than the anticipation of an indulgent candlelit dinner, the week leading up to February 14th is filled with decorating Valentine's boxes and writing cards for classmates for the school parties, and trading conversation hearts. Yesterday, my 6-year old son presented me with a candy heart that said, "Love Bug". Speaking as a mum, it just doesn't get any better than that. My husband and I will have to pick another time to paint the town red and dine by candlelight.
And so, these cookies are for my boys (my husband, too). The inspiration came from my friend, Jenny of the popular recipe blog, Picky Palate. She is the queen of filling cookies with an array of chocolate bars and other treats. Just the other day, she sandwiched a brownie inside cookie dough and baked it. Sounds crazy, but looks fantastic!
For this cookie, I used my favorite sugar cookie recipe, which I first introduced here in my Heath Bar Chocolate & Toffee Cookie recipe. This time, however, I omitted the Heath Bars and tucked a piece of caramel chocolate bar inside of each cookie. After their first bite, the boys swore I was their one and only Valentine. Now that makes my heart go pitter pat.
How to make chocolate and caramel sugar cookies:
Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer set on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla extract.
Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually beat in the flour mixture until it is just combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir the mixture a few times to make sure all of the flour mixture is incorporated.
Place ½ cup granulated sugar in a small bowl. Use 2 tablespoons cookie dough for each cookie. Split the piece of dough in half, slightly flatten the bottom half, place a square of chocolate caramel bar on top, and cover with the other piece of cookie dough. Seal the edges with your fingers. Roll the ball in the sugar to coat it and place it on a prepared baking sheet.
Bake the cookies, one sheet a time, rotating from front to back halfway through baking. They are done when the edges are set and beginning to brown, 10 to 13 minutes. The centers of the cookies should still be soft and puffy. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. Using a spatula, remove the cookies from the baking sheet and let cool on a rack. Serve.
Other cookies with caramel:
David Lebovitz's Peanut Butter Cookie with Salted Peanut Caramel
Two Peas and Their Pod's Chocolate Caramel Cookies with Sea Salt
Barbara Bakes' Chocolate Caramel Rolo Cookies
The Cooking Photographer's Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies
Chocolate & Caramel Sugar Cookies
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar, divided
14 tablespoon (1 ¾ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 oz. chocolate caramel chocolate bars (such as Cadbury), cut into individual square
Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar with an electric mixer set on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla extract.
Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually beat in the flour mixture until it is just combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir the mixture a few times to make sure all of the flour mixture is incorporated.
Place ½ cup granulated sugar in a small bowl. Use 2 tablespoons cookie dough for each cookie. Split the piece of dough in half, slightly flatten the bottom half, place a square of chocolate caramel bar on top, and cover with the other piece of cookie dough. Seal the edges with your fingers. Roll the ball in the sugar to coat it and place it on a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and chocolate caramel squares, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart from each other on the baking sheets. Lightly coat the bottom of a glass or metal measuring cup with butter and dip into the sugar. Use this to gently flatten the cookies to ¾-inch thickness.
Bake the cookies, one sheet a time, rotating from front to back halfway through baking. They are done when the edges are set and beginning to brown, 10 to 13 minutes. The centers of the cookies should still be soft and puffy. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. Using a spatula, remove the cookies from the baking sheet and let cool on a rack. They can also be served warm.
Makes 24-28 cookies.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Cookin' Canuck
Thanks again for all of your comments. It sounds as though there are plenty of Cadbury lovers out there!
julie @ rosy + tart
Oh my.. these look amazing. Just when I thought I'd quit with the cookie baking for awhile... 🙂
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE
My oh my Dara, do those look good! We call them pillow cookies because they are "stuffed."
I love the idea of chocolate AND caramel. Mmmm!
Amanda
Oh MY God! Those sound and look amazing, WANT!
Ang
This combination is brilliant! I love reading your blog. Your totally speaking my language on the whole valentine bit. Kids are such a joy for these kind of holidays. Poor hubbies. Oh well, they get all the good cookin:) Have a great day!
Cheryl and Adam @ pictureperfect meals.com
We'll have a couple of dozen, please!
Love the photos, too, especially the chocolate. Thanks for sharing this.
Now Serving
First time on your blog! What a perfect presentation! Cookies waiting to be bitten into!
Deeba PAB
Just so beautifully done Dara...whimsical & ethereal! Quite the perfect cookie to sink the teeth into. YUM!!
C&C Cakery
I actually have two Cadbury caramel bars that are just waiting to be baked into something. Thank you for making my wishes and dreams come true with this simple (yet super yummy) recipe!
C&C Cakery
I actually have two Cadbury caramel bars that are just waiting to be baked into something. Thank you for making my wishes and dreams come true with this simple (yet super yummy) recipe!
C&C Cakery
I actually have two Cadbury caramel bars that are just waiting to be baked into something. Thank you for making my wishes and dreams come true with this simple (yet super yummy) recipe!
Cakewhiz
i think i would like these much more than the basic sugar cookies i usually make.
very nice picture 🙂
Drick
now who wouldn't like this which brings me to the fact that I want one or three of these now.
Dara, will you be my Valentine?
marla
Dara, these are the perfect cookies to share with those we love. The photos are so pretty with the pink bow and the white plate. Love that they are filled with Cadbury & caramel.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
Such a smart idea! The chocolate and caramel are a nice combo to bite into. I love it!
Cake Duchess
Hi Dara-I've been dreaming of these cookies since I saw them this morning on Twitter. Love caramel and even better in a buttery cookie:)
danasfoodforthought
These sound like the perfect Valentine's treat... I love a delicious sugar cookie, and my boyfriend doesn't believe a cookie is a cookie without some chocolate in it. What a great compromise!
Shaina
Yum! I am all for stuffed cookies right now. I just saw another recipe before this one. It has to be a sign.
Shelby
Oh my, I really do love this cookie! I am a big fan of caramelo - something you normaly see on your side of the border - but being so close to the border, I have no trouble getting! YUMMY!
Tiffany
What a great idea! I love that your sons loved them too! That is very sweet! 😀