Description
These 20-Minute Chewy Milky Way Cookies are a delightful treat combining rich caramel and chocolate chunks within a soft, chewy cookie. Perfect for candy lovers, these cookies feature chopped Milky Way bars folded into a brown sugar and butter dough, baked to gooey perfection with a slightly underdone center for extra chewiness.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 ½ cups Milky Way candy, roughly chopped
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla paste)
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a reusable baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Chop Candy: Roughly chop the Milky Way bars into small chunks to incorporate into the cookie dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened unsalted butter and light brown sugar. Use a hand mixer on high speed to cream together until the mixture is light and airy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the large egg and vanilla extract using the hand mixer on low speed until combined thoroughly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, table salt, and baking soda. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix gently to combine, being careful not to overmix. Use a spatula to scrape any flour from the sides, folding it into the dough.
- Fold in Milky Way Chunks: Reserve a small handful of chopped candy pieces for topping. Fold the majority of the Milky Way chunks into the cookie dough with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
- Form Cookies: Using a large cookie scoop or about 4 tablespoons of dough per cookie, form dough balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least one inch of space between each. Ensure the candy pieces are mostly encased in dough to prevent caramel from melting onto the pan. Press the reserved candy chunks onto the top center of each cookie ball.
- Bake Cookies: Bake on the bottom rack in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. It’s ideal if the cookies are slightly underbaked at the center, as they will continue to cook as they cool on the pan.
- Shape and Fix Cookies: While still warm, if you want perfectly round cookies, gently use a round cookie cutter to shape them by scooting it around each warm cookie. If any caramel spills onto the baking sheet, use a cookie cutter or the curved edge of a spoon to push it back into the cookies.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack or serving. Enjoy your chewy, caramel-packed Milky Way cookies!
Notes
- Keep an eye on the cookies while baking to avoid overbaking; slightly underdone centers result in a chewier texture.
- Ensure candy pieces are enclosed within the dough to prevent caramel from dripping and burning on the baking sheet.
- You can substitute vanilla extract with vanilla paste for more intense flavor.
- For easier shaping, chill the dough briefly before scooping.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
