I think my collection of “To Try” recipes has tripled since I got onto Pinterest! One recipe that caught my eye a few days ago was for a Salted Caramel, Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie from the Diary of Daves Wife. What’s not to love!?
Caramel, chocolate, salt and the crunch of a pretzel. Sounded good to me so I thought I’d give it a try. I decided to use the chocolate chip recipe I have had for years as a base.
The original recipe uses butter flavored Crisco. I am always an advocate for using “real” food, i.e. butter in all my cooking but I have to admit there is something about the butter flavor Crisco in this recipe that I like better. The flavor is great in both versions but I like the texture better when they are made with shortening. So once in a while I cook with Crisco.
For this version though I used real butter. I was feeling healthy today.
I love a little crunch in my food and the pretzels provide that. They also give that nice sweet/salt combination that I love.
Between the pretzel crunch and saltiness, the chocolate chip and the caramel bit you’ve got all kinds of flavor sensations going on in your mouth!!
For my Portland people the only place I have found the caramel bits is at Target in the grocery section. They are made by Kraft and are with the chocolate chips. If you can’t find them you cut up some of those square Kraft caramels (or get your kids to do it!)
Dress up your chocolate chip cookie with a little crunch, caramel and salt!
Did you know that next month, October, is National Cookie Month. Today’s recipe is to get you in the mood. Watch for more cookie recipes soon and a fun cookie giveaway too.
Caramel, Pretzel, Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 C butter flavored shortening or butter
- 3/4 C white sugar
- 3/4 C brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/4 C flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 C milk chocolate chips
- 1 C caramel bits
- 1/2 C broken pretzel pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In your mixer cream together shortening/butter with brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs and beat until combine.
- Add in vanilla.
- Add flour, baking soda and salt and stir until combined.
- Do not over mix.
- Add in chocolate chips, caramel bits and pretzels.
- Drop by spoonful onto a prepared cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until light brown. Cool on sheet for five minutes and then move to a wire rack.
- Makes 3 dozen.
Tried these using rolos and pretzel pieces. Even though I made them right away the pretzels still. Came out a little soggy.
We had our own Cookies and Milk graduation party last weekend and these cookies stole the show! So amazingly good, thank you!
Hi Leigh Anne
I was wondering if I chill this dough overnight will the pretzel pieces get soft.
I haven’t refrigerated the dough but I think it may make the pretzels soggy but it might be worth trying.
Let me know if you do.
First of All, I am a HUGE fan of yours. I have been following your blog for a long time and I am constantly trying out your yummy recipes! And then to find out you tried one of mine, I am COMPLETELY flattered. Thanks for sharing ?
I am COMPLETELY flattered that you read my blog!!! The cookies were delish!
I have a new “base” recipe that you all are going to need to try. It’s on my list to blog about it. I’m stopped using butter-flavored crisco which was in our family favorite cookie too because I feel so much healthier with butter in the cookie. Ha. Never mind the white sugar or white flour issues. I’m now going to add caramel bits and pretzels now. Or maybe I’ll skip combining two ingredients by adding pretzel m&m’s – my new favorite m&m. YUM!
So share!! Pretzel M & M’s are divine!!! Finally found me some of those white chocolate Candy Corn colored M & M’s and they are o.k. a little disappointed.
I use the same “base” for my cookies and agree completely about the butter/shortening aspect. It is one of the best recipes in my opinion.. I often use the larger milk chocolate chips or white choc., butterscotch but now am going to try caramel bits. The pretzels I’m sure give it a nice crunch and I’ll have to try that too. Thanks!
They have the caramel bits at Walmart in Cornelius, too.
Leigh Anne, did you get your caramel bits @ the Target on 185th? We have a couple close to us, but they don’t carry all the same products.
Yes. The one at tanasbourne on 185th
Those look so good! I think I want to make those as soon as the weather cools down and I am brave enough to use the oven without over heating the house!