STEP 1: PREHEAT THE OVEN

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures the cookies bake evenly and get a golden brown finish on the edges while remaining soft and chewy in the center.

STEP 2: MIX THE DRY INGREDIENTS

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside while you work on the wet ingredients. The flour mixture helps balance the texture of the dough, while the baking soda ensures the cookies have just the right amount of lift.

STEP 3: CREAM THE BUTTER AND SUGAR

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is an important step, as it helps incorporate air into the dough, giving the cookies a soft texture.

STEP 4: ADD THE EGG AND VANILLA

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined. The egg will help bind the dough together, while the vanilla adds depth and complexity to the flavor.

STEP 5: INCORPORATE THE DRY INGREDIENTS

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing the dough, as it can make the cookies dense.

STEP 6: FOLD IN THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS, PECANS, AND CARAMEL

Once the dough is fully mixed, fold in the chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel bits using a spatula or spoon. The caramel bits will melt slightly during baking, creating that gooey center that makes these cookies so irresistible. Make sure the mix-ins are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

STEP 7: CHILL THE DOUGH

To prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to scoop into cookie-sized portions and ensuring the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

STEP 8: FORM THE COOKIE DOUGH

Once the dough is chilled, use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to form the dough into balls. Roll the dough between your palms to shape each ball, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart, as the cookies will spread a bit during baking.

STEP 9: BAKE THE COOKIES

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they should be golden around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they look a little underdone when you first pull them out of the oven.

STEP 10: COOL AND DRIZZLE WITH CHOCOLATE (OPTIONAL)

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you want to add an extra touch of chocolate, melt some semi-sweet chocolate chips and drizzle it over the cooled cookies for a decorative and decadent finish.