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Decadent Chocolate Caramel Cookie Cups

“I’ve been making these for years, and people lose their mind over them every time! They seem like a special homemade treat, but even my 10-year-old can make them by herself.”

These chocolate caramel cookie cups are a perfect combination of rich chocolate, buttery cookie, and gooey caramel. They’re bite-sized, impressive, and irresistibly indulgent. Whether it’s a family gathering, a school party, or a weekend treat, these little cups never fail to delight.

Ingredients

For the Cookie Base:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Caramel Filling:

1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
½ cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Topping:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Optional Garnish:

Sea salt flakes
Chopped nuts

Instructions & Methods

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Base

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and both sugars until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough into each muffin cup, pressing slightly to form a small cup shape. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Caramel Filling

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt sugar, stirring constantly until it becomes a golden amber liquid.
Carefully add butter (mixture will bubble) and stir until fully incorporated.
Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring, then add salt. Allow the caramel to cool slightly.
Pour a spoonful of caramel into each partially baked cookie cup. Let set for about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Chocolate Topping

Melt chocolate chips with heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
Pour chocolate over the caramel layer in each cookie cup.
Optional: sprinkle a pinch of sea salt or chopped nuts on top for an extra touch.

History of the Treat

Chocolate and caramel desserts date back to the early 20th century when chocolate candies started incorporating caramel fillings. The cookie cup is a modern innovation that merges classic cookie baking with layered candy techniques, offering both texture and flavor in one bite-sized package.

Benefits of the Dessert

Provides a quick boost of energy with sugars and chocolate.
Encourages creativity in the kitchen—kids and adults alike can enjoy making these.
Perfect for portion control, as each cup is individually sized.

Formation & Presentation Tips

Use a mini muffin pan to create bite-sized cups.
Drizzle extra chocolate over the top for a fancy look.
Serve on a platter with colorful cupcake liners for a party-ready display.

Nutrition Information (per cup, approx.)

Calories: 220
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Sugars: 20g
Protein: 2g

Conclusion & Lover’s Note

These chocolate caramel cookie cups are simple yet elegant, showing that homemade treats can outshine store-bought desserts. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or sneaking a few for yourself, they’re guaranteed to make anyone’s day sweeter. Even your little bakers can shine with this recipe, turning kitchen time into a delightful family activity.

“Once you try these, you’ll find yourself making them again and again—your friends and family will be begging for the recipe!”

If you want, I can also create a visually engaging, step-by-step guide with photos or diagrams for these cookie cups—perfect for sharing or keeping in a recipe binder.

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