Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and flatten them slightly in the palm of your hand. Place a caramel candy in the center of each flattened dough portion and wrap the dough around the caramel, forming a ball. Make sure the caramel is completely enclosed in the dough.
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie for spreading.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the edges are slightly firm.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the caramel filling. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream or milk. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle the caramel filling over the tops of the cookies.
Let the caramel-filled chocolate cookies set for a few minutes to allow the caramel to firm up slightly before serving.
Enjoy your delicious homemade caramel-filled chocolate cookies! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.