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These Rolo Cookies have everything I love in a homemade treat soft cookie dough wrapped around a hidden caramel chocolate surprise with the magic touch of cinnamon sugar. Each bite is the best kind of cozy crowd pleaser and perfect for when you want a little twist on an everyday cookie.
I remember making these for a bake sale and they disappeared before I could even try one. Now I double the batch every time just to have enough for both my family and friends.
Ingredients
- White cake mix: gives you a head start for tender soft cookies look for a mix with minimal additives
- Large egg: helps bind everything together always choose fresh eggs for best baking results
- Unsalted butter softened: allows the cookies to spread just right use good quality butter for richer flavor
- Cream cheese softened: adds richness and a little tang choose full fat if possible for best texture
- Rolo candies: provide the gooey chocolate caramel center pick a fresh pack so the centers melt perfectly
- Cinnamon sugar: coats the outside for a little crunch and flavor make your own with fresh ground cinnamon and superfine sugar for best results
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- Beat together the cake mix egg butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until completely combined and you have a soft sticky dough. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour this makes it easier to shape and keeps cookies thick and soft.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Scoop out the cold dough and divide into 24 even balls using a spoon or small scoop. Flatten each ball gently in your hand.
- Fill with Rolo:
- Place one unwrapped Rolo candy in the center of each flattened dough ball. Fold the dough carefully around the candy sealing it in the middle then roll it back into a ball so the Rolo is completely covered.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:
- Roll each filled dough ball in cinnamon sugar creating an even coating all around. Arrange the finished dough balls spaced apart on a baking sheet.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for ten minutes. The cookies should look set but still feel soft in the middle. Let them cool on the baking sheet for two minutes so they firm up enough to move.
- Finish and Cool:
- If you like a classic look use the back of a flat spatula to gently tap the tops of the hot cookies giving them that bakery style crinkle. Let cookies finish cooling on parchment paper for perfect texture. Once cool they are ready to eat or store.
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I always look forward to that moment when you break a cookie in half and the caramel stretches out like sweet golden taffy. My favorite part is seeing kids light up when they discover the chocolate center inside.
Storage Tips
Keep the cookies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature and they will stay soft for up to four days. If you want them to last longer stack cookies with wax paper between layers and store in the fridge. To freeze wrap in a freezer safe bag and enjoy within three months. Warm them for just a few seconds in the microwave for that fresh baked gooey center all over again.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use any brand of chocolate caramel candy that will hold its shape in the oven if Rolo candies are not available. Try using chocolate cake mix or spice cake mix for a different twist. If you want to lower the sugar use a mix of cinnamon and coconut sugar for coating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies right out of the oven for maximum gooeyness or make an ice cream sandwich with your favorite flavor. They look beautiful on a holiday cookie tray and are always a welcome surprise in lunchboxes. I have even added a pinch of sea salt on top for a little grownup flair.
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A Sweet Tradition
These cookies have become a regular fixture at our holiday table and family gatherings. The combination of soft dough gooey caramel and just the right hint of spice always reminds me of home. It is a simple recipe but one that brings people together every single time.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I keep the caramel centers gooey?
Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet, but not completely, as serving them warm keeps the caramel centers soft and gooey.
- → Can I use homemade dough instead of cake mix?
Yes, substitute cake mix with your favorite homemade sugar or vanilla cookie dough for a personalized touch.
- → How can I store these cookies to keep them fresh?
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their chewiness and prevent drying out.
- → Is the cream cheese necessary in the dough?
Cream cheese adds richness and softness, but you can omit it for a slightly firmer texture if preferred.
- → Can I use other candies in the center?
Feel free to experiment with chocolate candies or caramel-filled chocolates for new flavor combinations.