This dessert is the ultimate crowd-pleaser: a thick, golden-brown chocolate chip cookie with a hidden ribbon of silky caramel running through its center, all finished with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The combination of rich chocolate, buttery cookie dough, and the irresistible sweet-salty balance is pure magic. Every slice oozes molten caramel, making it as beautiful to serve as it is decadent to eat. Whether you serve it fresh from the skillet with scoops of vanilla ice cream or let it cool into perfectly cut wedges, this deep dish cookie turns any casual night into a dessert celebration. The best part? It’s easy to make yet looks like something straight from a bakery window, making it perfect for date nights, gatherings with friends, or whenever your sweet tooth demands something truly special.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 cup packed brown sugar
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 tablespoons real maple syrup
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2 large eggs
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2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra if needed)
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 cup chopped dark chocolate chunks
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1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
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1/2 cup caramel pieces
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3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
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Coarse sea salt to taste
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Soften half of the butter (8 tbsp) in the microwave for about 30 seconds, and the other half for about 10 seconds until you can press an indent with your finger.
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Cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until fluffy.
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Mix in vanilla and maple syrup until smooth, then beat in eggs just until incorporated.
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Add flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing until a dough forms. If sticky, add a few extra tablespoons of flour.
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Stir in chocolate chunks and chips.
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In a microwave-safe bowl, melt caramel pieces with heavy cream for about 2 minutes, stirring until smooth.
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Press half of the dough into a parchment-lined 9-inch (or larger) cast iron skillet. Spread caramel mixture evenly over dough.
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Cover with remaining dough, smoothing gently.
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Bake 15–25 minutes, depending on desired gooeyness. For extra gooey, bake uncovered for 15 minutes. For more set centers, bake covered for an additional 10–15 minutes.
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Sprinkle with sea salt and let rest at least 1 hour before slicing to keep pieces intact.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: ~450 kcal per serving | Servings: 10
The Story Behind This Irresistible Deep Dish Cookie
Every great recipe has a story, and this Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel and Sea Salt is no exception. It’s a homemade evolution of a beloved family tradition known as “Ze Big Cookie,” originally created with store-bought dough and baked into one massive, gooey treat. Over the years, this playful indulgence was elevated into a fully homemade masterpiece, swapping shortcuts for premium ingredients and incorporating a luscious caramel layer with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The result is a dessert that’s both nostalgic and refined, bridging the gap between childhood comfort and sophisticated flavor.
The combination of sweet, buttery cookie dough with melty chocolate and warm caramel is an indulgence in its purest form. The touch of sea salt is more than just garnish—it’s a flavor enhancer that brings out the richness of the chocolate, tempers the sweetness of the caramel, and keeps every bite exciting. This dessert was designed for sharing, making it perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or cozy nights in with close friends.
Why This Recipe Stands Out from the Rest
When it comes to skillet cookies, not all recipes are created equal. This version uses a mix of dark chocolate chunks and milk chocolate chips to create a balance of deep cocoa flavor and creamy sweetness. The cookie base is rich and buttery, with a texture that strikes the perfect balance between chewy edges and a soft, underbaked center.
The caramel layer is where the magic really happens. Instead of scattering caramel pieces throughout the dough, the recipe calls for a thick, smooth caramel filling sandwiched between two layers of cookie dough. This ensures every bite delivers that signature molten center that oozes onto your plate—or directly onto your spoon. Adding coarse sea salt right after baking creates a beautiful finish and elevates the flavors in a way that feels indulgent but never overwhelming.
Benefits of Baking in a Cast Iron Skillet
Using a cast iron skillet for this recipe is more than just aesthetic—it’s a technique that impacts the flavor and texture. Cast iron retains heat evenly, ensuring the cookie bakes with a consistent golden-brown crust while keeping the inside perfectly soft and gooey. The presentation is also unbeatable; you can bring the skillet straight to the table for a rustic, family-style dessert that invites everyone to dig in together.
Another benefit of the skillet method is that it allows for larger, thicker cookies that hold up well to rich fillings like caramel. Because the dough is baked in one deep dish rather than individual portions, it retains moisture better, making it delicious even the next day (if it lasts that long).
The Sweet-Salty Flavor Advantage
The magic of this dessert lies in its sweet-and-salty profile. The sugar in the cookie and caramel satisfies your sweet tooth, while the salt keeps your palate engaged. It’s a culinary trick that professional chefs use often—contrast enhances flavor perception. The slight crunch of sea salt crystals against the gooey caramel creates a textural surprise that makes the experience even more memorable.
If you’ve ever had salted caramel ice cream or a chocolate bar with sea salt, you already know how addictive this combination can be. In this cookie, it takes the form of pure decadence that feels gourmet yet approachable.
Perfect Occasions for Serving This Dessert
This deep dish cookie is versatile enough to fit many occasions. It’s a crowd-pleaser for birthdays, dinner parties, or casual Friday nights with friends. Pair it with a movie night, and it becomes the centerpiece of your evening. Serve it warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream, and you have a restaurant-quality dessert without leaving your home.
For holiday gatherings, the recipe can be made ahead of time, then gently reheated before serving. The presentation in the skillet adds a festive, rustic charm that’s ideal for family-style dining. It’s also a fantastic “thank you” dessert to bring to a host—just be prepared to share the recipe when everyone asks for it.
Tips for Getting It Just Right
One of the best things about this dessert is how forgiving it is. Still, a few tips can help you achieve the perfect result every time. First, be mindful of the baking time—if you prefer an ultra-gooey center, lean toward the lower end of the range, but if you like a more set cookie, cover it with foil and extend the baking time. Second, let the cookie rest for at least an hour before cutting into it. This patience pays off by allowing the caramel to set slightly, making cleaner slices and preventing a molten caramel overflow.
Using high-quality chocolate also makes a difference. Dark chocolate chunks add depth and balance to the sweetness, while milk chocolate chips give a creamy finish. Finally, don’t skip the sea salt—it’s the small detail that turns this cookie from delicious to unforgettable.
A Dessert Worth Indulging In
This Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel and Sea Salt is the definition of indulgence done right. It’s warm, gooey, rich, and satisfying in a way that feels both comforting and elevated. Whether you’re making it to celebrate a special occasion or simply to treat yourself after a long week, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone at the table.
In the end, this dessert isn’t just about satisfying a craving—it’s about creating a shared experience. Breaking into a giant cookie together, watching caramel stretch from slice to plate, and savoring the perfect balance of chocolate and sea salt… those are the moments that make baking truly special. This is more than just a cookie—it’s a memory in the making.