I’m a bit of a holiday creature of habit. Tradition is everything. So naturally, I don’t switch up my holiday baking all that much every year. BUT this year, I felt compelled to try something new AND something that felt quintessential East Coast.

Ladies and Gents – I give you my new favorite cookie!

Sea Salt + Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Inspired by Cooking Classy’s recipe (found here), these chewy, chocolate-y, salty goodness cookies are delicious. And won’t last long on your counter, trust me!

Here is how you can make these cookies for yourself this Christmas!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 10 tbsp salted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 dozen Rolos, unwrapped
• coarse sea salt
• 3/4 cup powdered icing sugar

Step One: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Step Two: Whisk your flour, cocoa power, baking powder and salt in one mixing bowl.

Step Three: In a second mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whip together your butter, sugar and brown sugar until pale and fluffy. This should take you about 4 minutes.

Step Four: Add in your eggs one at a time (or we just dropped both in) until everything is combined.

Step Five: Mix your vanilla into the mix and then with the mixer on low speed, slowly add in your dry ingredients from the first bowl. Mix until combined.

Step Six: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll into a ball. Press one Rolo into the center, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and then fold the cookie dough around the Rolo and salt. Ensure the Rolo is fully covered!

Step Seven: Shape into a ball and then roll in your icing sugar.

Step Eight: Place all of your cookies on a buttered cookie sheet or one with parchment paper (what we did) and bake for 11-13 minutes.

Step Eight: Remove from oven and allow to cool on the cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before enjoying this chewy yummy goodness!

Step Nine: Transcend to another space and time filled with puppies, kittens, unicorns and more when you bite into the cookie. Trust me on this.

These are already a new favorite of mine and I can’t wait to make another batch for family and friends over the holidays. If you love sea salt and chocolate, this recipe is a must this holiday season!

What’s your favorite cookie recipe around the holidays? Leave a comment below or tweet me!