Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking. Set everything nearby before mixing the dough.

Place softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a large bowl. Beat until light and fluffy. This step gives the cookies a soft texture and rich flavor.

Crack the eggs into the bowl one at a time. Mix well after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and stir again until smooth and creamy.

In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir gently with a spoon or whisk. This helps spread the ingredients evenly through the dough.

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix because it can make the cookies dense instead of soft.

Add caramel bits and white chocolate chips if using them. Fold gently with a spatula. The caramel pieces melt beautifully and create gooey pockets inside each cookie.

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between each cookie because they spread while baking.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden. The centers may still look soft, which is perfect. They continue cooking while cooling.

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes. Move them to a cooling rack afterward. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for extra flavor if desired.