Name: Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature; 2/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour gluten-free if needed; 11 ounces caramel candies unwrapped; 2 Tablespoons heavy cream; 10-12 ounces milk chocolate roughly chopped; Flaky sea salt and edible gold leaf optional for decorating

Just imagine biting into a cookie that’s buttery soft, layered with gooey caramel, and topped with rich milk chocolate—pure bliss! That’s exactly what you get with this Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe. It’s a little indulgent, totally worth the effort, and a surefire way to impress anyone you share them with.

The image shows a group of round cookies laid out on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a smooth, light beige base layer topped with a shiny, thick layer of caramel in a golden brown color. On top of the caramel is a swirled dollop of rich, glossy dark chocolate spread, decorated with flakes of gold leaf and white flaky sea salt scattered unevenly across the chocolate. The cookies are placed close together, some slightly overlapping, creating a neat and inviting arrangement. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m usually pretty picky about cookies, but these millionaire caramel chocolate cookies blew me away when I first made them. The balance between the tender cookie, buttery soft caramel, and smooth chocolate topping is magical. Plus, they’re easier to make than you might think!

Perfectly layered flavors: The buttery cookie base with creamy caramel and milk chocolate creates a totally irresistible combo in every bite.
Simple ingredients: Using just a handful of everyday items makes this recipe approachable and pantry-friendly.
Feel like a pro: You get a bakery-quality cookie that looks fancy, especially if you add a little sea salt or gold leaf on top.
Great for sharing: These cookies are crowd-pleasers perfect for gifting, parties, or just because you deserve a treat.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a part in crafting the perfect millionaire cookie. Choosing quality items and understanding their roles will help you bake with confidence—and get the best results.

Flat lay of a small block of pale yellow unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a pinch of coarse sea salt crystals on a small white ceramic dish, a neat pile of all-purpose flour on a plain white ceramic plate, a small heap of unwrapped golden caramel candies, a small white ceramic bowl containing thick heavy cream, roughly chopped chunks of glossy milk chocolate on a simple white ceramic plate, tiny flakes of bright gold leaf scattered delicately beside a small white ceramic bowl with flaky sea salt crystals, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter ensures you get a soft, tender cookie dough that's easy to work with and bakes evenly.
Granulated sugar: This adds both sweetness and helps give the cookie its slight crisp edge around the outside.
Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: A little vanilla brings warmth and depth to the cookie dough’s flavor.
Salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure without weighing the cookies down—gluten-free if needed to fit your dietary preferences.
Caramel candies: These melt into that luscious gooey caramel topping that defines millionaire cookies—be sure to unwrap them first!
Heavy cream: A splash adds creaminess to the caramel, keeping it soft and rich.
Milk chocolate: Chopped chunky chocolate melts beautifully on top for that satisfying finishing touch.
Flaky sea salt & edible gold leaf (optional): These elevate the look and bring a contrasting pop of flavor to each bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like experimenting a bit when I make millionaire caramel chocolate cookies, and it’s fun to tweak toppings and even mix-ins. You definitely can make this recipe your own without compromising that signature deliciousness.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate to add a touch more richness and a deeper cocoa flavor—perfect for chocolate lovers!
Dietary tweak: For gluten-free friends, swapping in a gluten-free flour blend works beautifully without losing texture.
Seasonal touch: Around the holidays, I add a sprinkle of cinnamon or chili powder to the caramel for an exciting warm kick.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

The image shows several cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: a bottom layer of smooth, light brown caramel spread directly on the cookie, and a top layer of thick, glossy dark chocolate frosting swirled in a circle. The chocolate layer is decorated with small, shiny gold leaf pieces and white flaky salt sprinkled on top. A woman's hand is reaching to take one of the cookies. The cookies have a light, golden-brown color with a soft, crumbly texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy

Start by beating the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar together. I use a stand mixer, but an electric hand mixer works just fine. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key—it adds air to your dough and gives you that perfect cookie texture.

Step 2: Mix in vanilla, salt, and flour

Then, stir in your vanilla and salt until combined, scraping down the sides so everything blends beautifully. Add your flour next and mix on medium-low just until the dough comes together and starts pulling away from the bowl sides. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies could get tough. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes—this step helps make rolling out the dough much easier.

Step 3: Roll, cut, and chill the dough again

Lightly flour your workspace and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter—floured, of course—to cut out your cookies. Don't toss those scraps! Just gather and re-roll until you're done. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet about an inch apart, then chill again for 15-30 minutes. This double chill really helps keep their shape during baking.

Step 4: Bake to perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just set and starting to turn golden brown—watch closely so they don’t overbake. After baking, let them cool for about 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack so they cool completely and firm up a bit.

Step 5: Melt the caramel and spread it on

While the cookies cool, melt the unwrapped caramel candies with heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 45-second bursts, stirring each time, until just melted and bubbly—don’t overcook or it’ll harden when cooled. Quickly spoon about a teaspoon of caramel onto each cookie and gently push it toward the edges with the back of your spoon. This gooey caramel layer is the heart of the millionaire cookie!

Step 6: Top with melted milk chocolate and decorate

Melt the chopped milk chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave until smooth. Spoon the melted chocolate over the caramel on each cookie right away. If you want to get fancy, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and even some edible gold leaf while the chocolate is still warm. Let your cookies cool completely so both caramel and chocolate firm up nicely.

Top Tip

After making this recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference. Trust me, these tips will help your millionaire caramel chocolate cookies come out irresistible every time.

Chill the dough twice: Rolling out the cold dough is way easier, and chilling again on the baking sheet before baking helps cookies hold their shape without spreading too much.
Melt caramel gently: Heating caramel with just a bit of heavy cream in short bursts prevents burning—it melts smoothly making it easier to spread without hardening.
Use a round cookie cutter: It helps achieve an even, elegant shape that makes your cookies look professional—plus re-rolling scraps keeps waste low.
Don’t skip the salt on top: Flaky sea salt provides a lovely contrast to the sweet chocolate and caramel, giving each bite complexity that everyone loves.

How to Serve Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Caramel Chocolate Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top these cookies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt—it adds just the right pop of flavor. And when I’m feeling extra fancy, a tiny bit of edible gold leaf really turns these cookies into little works of art. It’s perfect if you’re making them for a special celebration.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk for a classic combo. For grown-up gatherings, they go surprisingly well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even a glass of dessert wine to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve assembled them on a beautiful wooden board with fresh berries and sprigs of mint for parties. Wrapping a few cookies in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon makes a thoughtful homemade gift. You can also drizzle some extra melted chocolate in swirls as a decoration for an extra wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover millionaire caramel chocolate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The texture stays soft and the caramel remains luscious—sometimes if my family hasn’t gobbled them up already!

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully. I separate them with parchment paper in a tight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, just thaw at room temperature—perfect for making ahead for parties or special occasions.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy them warm, I pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. The caramel softens even more, and the chocolate melts slightly, giving it that fresh-baked feel. Just don’t overdo it or the chocolate can get grainy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of caramel candies?

While store-bought caramel sauce might be tempting for convenience, the caramel candies melt down with heavy cream to create the perfect gooey layer that sets nicely on the cookies. Caramel sauce tends to be runnier and might not firm up the same way. If you use sauce, expect a softer topping.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough twice is your secret weapon! After mixing, chill the dough for 30 minutes, and once you cut out the cookies and place them on the sheet, chill them again for about 15-30 minutes before baking. Also, avoid over-mixing the dough to keep your cookies thick and tender.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that you trust. Just keep an eye on the texture of your dough—it might need a little extra chilling time, but otherwise, the cookies bake just as delicious gluten-free.

What’s the best way to melt caramel without burning it?

Heat the caramel candies with heavy cream in short 30-45 second bursts in the microwave, stirring well between each. This gentle heating prevents burning. Keep an eye on it and stop as soon as it’s smooth and bubbling. Overheating makes the caramel harden when cooled.

Final Thoughts

This Millionaire Caramel Chocolate Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a treat you baked just for yourself, but it’s so good you’ll want to share it with everyone you know. I hope you enjoy baking (and eating) these as much as I do—there’s something wonderfully comforting about a homemade cookie layered with caramel and chocolate. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep this recipe close at hand.