Name: Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate 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

There’s something irresistibly luxurious about the combination of buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and silky chocolate—so let me share my take on the enchanting Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe. It’s like a little bite of heaven you can bake right at home and amaze everyone with.

The image shows a group of round cookies placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two visible layers: a light golden-brown base layer that is smooth and flat, topped with a thick, glossy layer of dark brown chocolate spread that is unevenly swirled. On top of the chocolate, there are small flakes of white sea salt and tiny pieces of shiny gold leaf scattered unevenly, adding sparkle and texture. The cookies are closely arranged with some gaps, and there is a partial view of a white cup and a dark plate on the edges of the image. 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 Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These cookies quickly became one of my favorites because they feel fancy but are surprisingly easy to make. The texture and flavor layers just dance together perfectly—each bite keeps you wanting more.

Perfectly Balanced Layers: The buttery cookie base, rich caramel, and smooth chocolate form a trio that satisfies every kind of sweet tooth.
Simpler Than It Looks: You don’t need advanced baking skills or fancy equipment to create these—they’re approachable for home bakers.
Customizable Touches: Whether you add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or edible gold leaf, you get to personalize how glamorous these treats look and taste.
Great for Gifting or Parties: These cookies make a memorable impression, perfect to share (or sneak all to yourself!).

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe plays a meaningful role to deliver that perfect crispy, chewy, and creamy experience—here’s why and some tips on picking the best ones.

Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter with a soft creamy texture, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar sparkling white and fine, a tiny white ceramic bowl holding glossy golden caramel candies unwrapped, another small white ceramic bowl with smooth heavy cream, a neat pile of all purpose flour forming a small soft heap, a small white ceramic bowl with rich deep brown roughly chopped milk chocolate chunks, a few delicate flakes of sea salt scattered artfully, a couple of tiny sheets of shimmering edible gold leaf on pristine white ceramic plates, a small white ceramic bowl containing pale golden vanilla extract, all arranged symmetrically and naturally spaced 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: Use room temperature butter so it creams easily with sugar, producing a tender and buttery cookie.
Granulated Sugar: Gives a subtle crunch and sweetness that balances the caramel’s richness.
Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds warmth and depth of flavor, elevating everything else.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the sweetness and keep flavors vibrant.
All-Purpose Flour (or Gluten-Free): The sturdy base that holds everything together—if you go gluten-free, use a blend suited for baking cookies.
Caramel Candies: Melts beautifully into a luscious, sticky topping; I like unwrapped soft caramels for convenience.
Heavy Cream: Mixed with caramel to help it melt smoothly and stay gooey when cool.
Milk Chocolate: Choose a good-quality chocolate bar for melting to get that silky, rich topping.
Flaky Sea Salt and Edible Gold Leaf (Optional): These elevate the look and taste, adding a crunchy contrast and a touch of glam.

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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 love how versatile this Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe is—you can tweak the toppings or even add nuts for crunch. Feel free to make it your own based on what you love or have on hand.

Variation: One time, I swapped milk chocolate for dark chocolate, and it gave the cookies a pleasantly bittersweet edge that pairs beautifully with the salt.
Dietary Modifications: Gluten-free flour works great here, and dairy-free caramel and chocolate can be used if needed without sacrificing flavor much.
Seasonal Twist: Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or crushed peppermint on top during the holidays gives a fun seasonal flair.

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

This image shows round cookies on a white marbled surface, each cookie has two layers. The bottom layer is a light golden-brown cookie base. The second layer is a smooth, thick, shiny caramel spread that slightly spills over the edge. On top of the caramel, there is a swirl of rich, dark chocolate frosting with a creamy texture. The chocolate frosting is decorated with small flakes of edible gold and coarse sea salt sprinkled unevenly. A woman's hand reaches into the frame, gently holding one cookie by its edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Begin by beating softened butter with granulated sugar using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes. You’ll want a light, fluffy texture—this is crucial because it sets the tone for buttery, tender cookies. Scrape down the bowl sides a couple of times to make sure everything is well mixed. Pro tip: don't rush this step; proper creaming creates lovely air pockets in the dough.

Step 2: Add Vanilla, Salt, Then Flour Gently

Mix in the vanilla and salt, blending just until fully combined. Then, switch to medium-low speed and add your flour gradually. Watch the dough carefully—once it starts pulling away from the bowl and comes together without excess floury bits, stop mixing to avoid tough cookies. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to rest the dough. This chilling step makes rolling easier and helps the cookies keep their shape in the oven.

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dough, Then Chill Again

On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a floured round cookie cutter to cut out shapes, gathering and rerolling scraps as needed to maximize the dough usage. Arrange the cookies with a bit of space between them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. Chilling again prevents spreading and helps keep the crisp edges you want.

Step 4: Bake Until Edges Are Just Turning Golden

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake your chilled cookies for 10-12 minutes—keep an eagle eye on them here. You want the edges to be set and just starting to brown, but not the entire cookie, to keep that tender crumb. Cool for 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring carefully to a wire rack so they don’t break.

Step 5: Melt and Spread the Caramel Layer

Unwrap your caramel candies and place them in a microwave-safe bowl along with the heavy cream. Heat in 45-second bursts, stirring in between, until the caramel is smooth and bubbling gently—avoid overcooking or it will harden once cooled. Using a teaspoon, spoon caramel onto each cookie, nudging it towards the edges of the cookie with the back of your spoon as best you can before it sets.

Step 6: Top with Melted Milk Chocolate and Garnishes

Finally, melt your chopped milk chocolate in 30-second increments until fully smooth. Spoon chocolate over the caramel layer and, while still warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt or edible gold leaf if you're feeling fancy. Let everything cool completely so the layers set beautifully—this usually takes at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or you can chill to speed it up.

Top Tip

Making this Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe taught me that patience really pays off. Chilling the dough twice and watching the baking time closely are the secrets to getting those delicate edges with that soft caramel center.

Chill the Dough Well: Don’t skip the two chill sessions; they make rolling and shaping so much easier and prevent cookies from spreading too much.
Watch the Caramel Heating: Overheating caramel turns it rock hard—heat gently and stir often to keep it glossy and soft.
Use a Sharp Cutter: For crisp edges, use a sharp cookie cutter and press straight down; twisting can distort shapes.
Cool Properly: Let cookies cool enough before adding toppings, and afterwards, so everything sets without smudging or melting together.

How to Serve Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe

Millionaire Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with just flaky sea salt sprinkled over the warm chocolate because it enhances the sweet flavors perfectly. For special occasions, I love adding edible gold leaf—it makes the cookies feel like a real treat, perfect if you want to impress guests without much extra effort.

Side Dishes

These cookies are rich, so I like serving them alongside a simple cup of coffee or milk to balance the sweetness. For a fun dessert spread, add fresh berries or a light fruit sorbet to refresh the palate between bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the cookies on a tiered stand alongside miniature chocolates or caramel-filled truffles. Wrapping a few in parchment and tying with twine makes for adorable gift packages that show you care—plus they’re the type of gift people actually want to receive!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, a cool spot is best because the chocolate and caramel soften easily.

Freezing

They actually freeze quite well! I wrap individual cookies in parchment before placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you want some, thaw them at room temperature for about an hour. The texture holds up nicely, and the flavors are still rich and delicious.

Reheating

If you want to revive a slightly hardened cookie, pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds just to soften the caramel and chocolate. Be careful not to melt it too much—warm, gooey bites are what you’re aiming for!

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

You can, but the texture might be different. The candy melts into a thicker layer that firms up nicely, while sauce may be runnier. If you use sauce, reduce the cream and chill the cookies well to get a firmer caramel layer.

What’s the best way to prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough twice is key—once after mixing and once after cutting the cookies. Also, avoid overworking the dough which can cause spreading. Using a sharp cutter and baking at the right temperature helps keep the shapes crisp.

Can I substitute dark chocolate or white chocolate?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate adds a lovely bittersweet contrast that balances the caramel sweetness well. White chocolate works too, but it’s sweeter and softer, so the texture may be a bit different. Adjust garnishes accordingly.

How do I keep the caramel from leaking or getting too hard?

Gentle heating with cream melts caramel candies smoothly, preventing hardness. Don’t overcook—heat just until melted and bubbling. Spoon it onto cookies while warm and spread quickly but gently before it starts to set.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, every time I make these Millionaire Cookies with Caramel and Chocolate Recipe, I’m reminded how delightful it is to share something homemade that looks and tastes like a treat from a fancy bakery. They’re a crowd-pleaser, approachable for home bakers, and just pure joy to eat. I can't recommend giving this recipe a try enough—trust me, you’ll want a batch ready for your next cozy coffee moment or special gathering.