Get the decadent taste and chewy texture of caramel and brownies wrapped up in these rich yet wholesome Caramel Brownie Sandwich Cookies! These healthy treats are gluten free, grain free, dairy free, and Paleo plus fun and easy to make!
Before I dive into my undying love for sandwich cookies, I just have to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who read my post yesterday. Full of heavy, difficult things to say on the internet (and in real life, too) but I also think these things need to be said, so I totally appreciate people reading, responding, relating. Now, in the name of balance, let’s have some fun and talk COOKIES!
So, I have a thing for sandwich cookies. Doesn’t everyone though, really? Sandwich cookies, cream filled doughnuts, cannolis – if there’s gooey stuff on the inside I’d like to sign up to eat it please. Even that old stuffed crust pizza (from Pizza Hut maybe?) had my heart. I’d like to think it’s a reflection of my overall personality – I’m much gooier on the inside than the outside.
Okay, minor interruption again before I talk more about the Chewy (and gooey!) Caramel Brownie Sandwich Cookies. I just need to chat for a sec about the perfectly timed winter storm that’s now predicted for this weekend AKA the Fred Lebow Half Marathon I’m supposed to run? They haven’t cancelled the race even though it looks like NYC is supposed to get nearly a foot of snow along with 40 mph winds. Sounds like a fun 13 miles to plod through, right?
So, after Adam and I missed the 10 miler 2 weeks ago due to a rainstorm and I missed the Newport Liberty Half in September due to a random violent stomach bug, it looks like the Running Gods only want me to run FULL marathons or nothing. I know, it’s January and these things come along. BUT, we’ve had such a mild winter, and this might literally turn out to be the only snowstorm of the season. I’m taking a wait and see approach at this point, and if I can shovel myself out in time and the roads aren’t horrible, I’ll go. Is it weird that I dread shoveling the snow more than running the 13 miles in it?
Interruption over. Nothing like chocolate and caramel though to put these things in perspective! These cookies are like the fabulously awesome cousin to my Chocolate Almond Butter Sandwich Cookies. Since sandwich cookies really might be my favorite type of cookie, there will be more to come, that’s for sure! Besides the whole center-of-ecstasy factor with sandwich cookies, I just love how they’re big enough that you can eat “one” and it feels like you’re eating three cookies, or cake with frosting, or something a whole lot better than just one cookie.
The truth is, (and I won’t tell) that you are eating more than just one cookie with these, because I stuck two delicious brownie-like cookies together with rich, decadent caramel – very similar to the caramel in my Chocolate Caramel Fudge Cups. Like I said, I won’t tell. And here’s a hint, too – there will be some extra caramel left over after you fill the cookies, I promise. Use it wisely!
Chewy Caramel Brownie Sandwich Cookies {Paleo}
Chewy Caramel Brownie Sandwich Cookies {Paleo}
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 egg
- 1 cup smooth almond butter
- 1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil melted and cooled
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cuporganic coconut sugar
- 1 cupblanched almond flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- dash sea salt
- 1/4 cup mini Enjoy Life Chocolate chips or other dairy and soy free brand
For the Caramel Filling
- 1/4 cup organic coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
- 1/3 cuporganic coconut milk
- dash sea salt
- 2 tbsp smooth almond butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the egg, almond butter, coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Carefully stir the dry mixture into the wet - you'll get a thick, smooth dough.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips, and use the dough to form 20-22 small balls. Place on the parchment lined cookie sheets, then, using another piece of parchment paper, flatten the balls into circles, repairing the edges if needed.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until just set. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
While the cookies bake, make the caramel:
- Combine all ingredients except for the almond butter in a small saucepan, and, over very low heat, stir continuously while melting.
- Continue to stir and cook until small bubbles form, then remove from heat. Stir in the almond butter until smooth, then chill in the freezer for 20 minutes or refrigerator for 40, until the caramel mixture is thick enough not to drip.
- Once cookies are cooled and caramel has been chilled, spoon about a tbsp of caramel onto the flat side of half the cookies, placing another cookie, flat side down, over the top to create the sandwiches.
- Press down gently to spread the caramel. Save any leftover caramel in the refrigerator. Serve and enjoy! Sore leftovers covered at room temperature, or in the refrigerator.
Are you a gooey-in-the-middle fan?
Favorite cream-filled treat?
Who else was obsessed with stuffed crust pizza back in the day?
I need these! Today! I think I have everything on hand to make them. Thanks Michele.
They were a big hit here – thanks Jill!
These cookies look so good! I am curious to see what happens with the race and blizzard. We are in 8 – 12 inch range but the city may get less! Either way, I think they should cancel, I can’t imagine it’s safe to run (or drive!). I guess we will see.
I’m so glad they cancelled! Now I can be sick and snowed in in peace at least, ugh, lol!
Yum yum yum! I would probably eat the whole batch and not go to the race!
These went FAST! Had to put limits on them!
You are killing me, smalls. I think I would give the middle finger to the race day organizers. Like, dudes, make up your mind and keep people’s safety in mind!
They finally cancelled! The forecast got worse, I would’ve been surprised if they kept in on with people trying to drive in!
You make the BEST desserts! That is crazy about your third race missed due to weather… bummer! We’re supposed to have a birthday party tomorrow… fingers crossed!
Eek, looks like the forecast worsened! I think we’re in for the weekend and they finally cancelled the race officially.
Your desserts look so stinking tasty!
Thanks Tara!
I must say, you make the most delectable and delicious desserts out there! I could go for this brownie cookie filled with caramel right now and it’s only breakfast time!
Thanks so much! Love those treats 🙂
Michele these look amazing! Definitely pinning, but I want a spoonful of the filling right now!
It was way too good! Thanks 🙂
These cookies look fantastic, but I’d probably never manage to get them into sandwich form — I’d be too busy eating the filling with a spoon 😆 That really does suck about the storm this weekend, though. Maybe it just means the Racing Gods are waiting to pay you back with some awesome races later?
There was definitely some finger/spoon licking here, luckily there’s enough filling for that! They finally cancelled the race, which was definitely a good call considering what’s to come.
CHEWY GOOEY!!! YES!!!
Yea know….I don’t think I ever had stuffed crust :/….o well 😛 Hahahah!
And they are so canceling that race! No way! But I will laugh if the snow is nothing…they always get it wrong!
They are saying 100% now and they finally cancelled the race! I’m thinking this might really happen now..
yum yum yum – so many of my favorite things. I”m with you on sandwiches, with yummy fillings. Too bad about your half marathon – enjoy the weekend in and relaxing!
Thanks! They finally cancelled the race so I’m a little relieved I don’t have to worry about trying to go now!
I will say last year it also stormed the day before the Lebow and I remember walking to the park Sunday morning and seeing it going on, even with the snow and ice they cleared the paths pretty well…fingers crossed! At least for me it’s a 15 minute jog away…
Last year I remember it being okay – better check my blog for the details! Vaguely recall a bit of snow/ice the day before but nothing crazy. It’s another ballgame this time and they already cancelled thankfully – there’s no way I’d be able to dig myself out in time.
This year the storm does indeed seem like it’s going to be worse – stay safe!
Oh yes it was! More rest time turned out to be a good thing, and now that we’re done shoveling I’m relieved!
Yum everything about these cookies! I’m surprised the race directors haven’t cancelled – that storm look scary and intense. At least you’ll have these yummy cookies to eat if you can’t run it!
They finally cancelled! Looks like blizzard conditions into Saturday night and hopefully they thought of the people trying to drive in. Either way it would be hard to clear it in time! I’m more than a little relieved that they finally cancelled so I don’t have to think about it anymore.
Right there with you on a cream-filled/sandwich/gooey middle fan. My favorite thing like that is def an ice cream cookie sandwich. These look AMAZING. I love caramel.
Forgot about chipwiches! Those were amazing 🙂 Thanks Hayley!
Well these just look fantastic! Love all the almond butter everywhere! This weather is crazy, sorry it’s ruining your half marathon plans 🙁 Hope you have a beautiful weekend either way!! Pinning!
I’m glad they finally cancelled so I don’t have to think about it anymore! And thanks – these are seriously delicious 🙂
hell yes I’ll take this NOW! You make the best desserts. Do you deliver by any chance?
Haha! Thank you so much – I do love my treats 🙂
Yum these look AMAZING!! You always have such wonderful recipes! 🙂 I love me a sandwich cookie too…also love the donuts with cream in the middle. I can only have vegan ones now but would go to town on them when I was little haha!
Maybe I’ll try making a cream filled doughnut if I’m really brave one day!
I second this delivery motion! 🙂
Haha thanks! Hope you try these out – definitely worth it 🙂
Theses sound so good! I love a good, chewy brownie.
Yup me too, thanks! You’ll love these 🙂
I always break apart these kind of cookies and eat all the filling. 🙂
You will blend right in as my 4th child..Haha just kidding I do that too, it’s hard not to 🙂
I think you need to do a Paleo cookbook. Your recipes look so good, and I think this one looks SO DELICIOUS. Curious.. Did you do the race?
Thanks! And no, the race was cancelled due to the insane amount of snow we got!
These look amazing! I wish I wasn’t out of coconut milk or I would be making them today.
Thanks Lisa – they’re seriously addicting!
Can you sub any nut butter for the almond butter?