Chewy Caramel Oatmeal Cookies (with Cookie Mix)
Whip up a new Christmas cookie recipe with these Chewy Caramel Oatmeal Cookies! These are so easy to make and come together quickly because they start with a store-bought cookie mix! A chewy cookie inside and out – nobody will know you used a shortcut!
Caramel Oatmeal Cookies
If you love a chewy oatmeal cookie, you’ll love this recipe! Everyone will think you made homemade cookies from scratch when they taste these amazing cookies.
The combo of classic oatmeal cookies stuffed with melty caramel, but made with the ease of a store-bought mix.
Christmas Cookies with Caramel
I’m especially excited to share these as Christmas cookies because they look fancy and impressive, but they’re really very easy and fast to make!
Tools Needed
- Cookie Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric Mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer)
- Cookie Scoop
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Oatmeal cookie mix – the ingredients below are specifically from a package of Betty Crocker Oatmeal Cookie Mix. If you use a different brand, adjust the recipe for the ingredients listed on the package used.
Large Egg, at room temperature
Water
Butter – I use salted butter but unsalted butter would work just as well, at room temperature
Soft Caramel Squares, unwrapped – these are usually found on the candy aisle but also might be found on the baking aisle
Find the complete recipe directions with ingredients measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions
If you don’t want to stuff the cookies with a whole caramel, you can mix in 1 cup of caramel bits into the dough before baking. The end result will not be the same, but you will still have a cookie with chewy texture and the extra caramel flavor.
How to Make Oatmeal Caramel Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients (cookie mix) with wet ingredients (egg, water, and butter). and mix on low speed until cookie dough forms (around 2-3 minutes).
- Fill a medium-sized cookie scoop with dough. Push soft caramels into the middle of each ball of dough and then form dough around it so no caramel is showing. Place the cookie dough balls onto cookie sheet. Repeat process with remaining dough.
- Bake cookies 11-15 minutes or until edges are barely golden brown. Cookie will appear puffy and underdone-this is okay.
- Allow cookie to cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving to cooling rack. Cookie will flatten as it cools.
Variations
- If using long caramels, fold in half or shape into a ball before placing into cookie dough. I used Werther’s caramels but Kraft Caramel squares would be terrific too!
- For chocolate and caramel in your Oatmeal Caramel Cookies, use Rolos in the center of the cookies instead of soft caramels.
- Another option to add a little chocolate in the cookies would be to use Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie mix.
- For extra decadence, drizzle with homemade caramel sauce or melty chocolate on top of the cookies after the cookies are cooled.
- Sprinkle the cookies with a little bit of sea salt before baking to make Salted Caramel Oatmeal Cookies. This will give you the sweet and salty caramel combo that is so addictive!
Pro Tips
- This recipe used Betty Crocker Oatmeal Cookie Mix. If using another brand, you may need to adjust ingredients, as listed on the package.
- Try heating in the microwave for a few seconds before serving for an ooey-gooey center.
- A parchment lined cookie sheet is best; it prevents the caramel from sticking to the pan and makes for easy clean-up.
- Try to get the caramel pieces in the center of the cookie ball to prevent caramel from oozing out.
- Instead of parchment paper, you could also line your baking sheet with a silicone mat but you may need to add a couple of minutes of baking time to the cookies if you choose this method of lining the pan.
Storage Directions
Cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature. Best within 3 days of baking. Try heating in the microwave for a few seconds before serving for an ooey-gooey center.
Servings Suggestions
These are perfect for classroom parties, Christmas cookies, cookie exchanges, after-school snacks or a simple dessert at home.
Of course, they’re always best served with a tall glass of ice cold milk!
Chewy Caramel Oatmeal Cookies (with Cookie Mix)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 21 1x
Description
Whip up a new Christmas cookie recipe with these Chewy Caramel Oatmeal Cookies! These are so easy to make and come together quickly because they start with a store-bought cookie mix! A chewy cookie inside and out – nobody will know you used a shortcut!
Ingredients
- 1 (17.50z) package oatmeal cookie mix
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 21 soft caramels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In large mixing bowl, combine dry cookie mix, egg, water, and butter, and mix until cookie dough forms.
- Fill a medium sized cookie scoop with dough. Push caramel into middle and then form dough around it so no caramel is showing. Place onto cookie sheet. Repeat process with remaining dough.
- Bake 11-15 minutes or until edges barely start to brown. Cookie will appear puffy and underdone-this is okay. Allow cookie to cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving to cooling rack. Cookie will flatten as it cools.
Notes
- This recipe used Betty Crocker Oatmeal Cookie Mix. If using another brand, you may need to adjust ingredients, as listed on the package.
- If using long caramels, fold in half or shape into a ball before placing into cookie dough. I used Werther’s caramels. Rolos are a good option if you want to add a little chocolate to your cookie.
- A parchment lined cookie sheet is best; it prevents the caramel from sticking to the pan and makes for easy clean-up.
- Try to get the caramel in the center of the cookie ball to prevent caramel from oozing out.
- Cool completely before storing in airtight container at room temperature. Best within 3 days of baking.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
