Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe
If you’re craving a cozy treat that feels like autumn wrapped in a bite, these Caramel Apple Cookies are exactly what you need. Imagine soft, cinnamon-kissed cookies bursting with juicy diced apples and swirled with luscious caramel sauce, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors. They’re incredibly simple to make yet so satisfying, and I promise once you try these Caramel Apple Cookies, they’ll soon become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but absolutely essential for nailing the perfect texture and flavor in your Caramel Apple Cookies. Each one plays a unique role: the apples add freshness and moisture, cinnamon brings warmth, and caramel gives that irresistible gooey sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of your cookie’s tender yet sturdy structure.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just right, providing a light and airy crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that complements apple perfectly and gives the cookies a cozy aroma.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens while helping achieve a slight crisp edge.
- Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle caramel note, deepening the flavor.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and creates a soft, chewy bite.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
- Finely diced apple: Fresh fruit chunks that keep every bite juicy and vibrant.
- Caramel sauce: The star of the show, for that rich, sticky, dreamy sweetness.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cookies
Step 1: Preparing the Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This dry mixture is going to give your cookies their perfect structure and that warm spice note you adore.
Step 2: Creaming Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy. This step is key because it aerates the batter, resulting in lighter cookies with just the right amount of chewiness.
Step 3: Adding Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined and smooth. This ensures your dough has the moisture and that lovely aroma that makes baking so magical.
Step 4: Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. Overworking the dough can make your cookies tough, and we definitely want them soft and tender!
Step 5: Folding in Apple and Caramel Sauce
Gently fold in the diced apples and caramel sauce until evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is the step where your cookies start coming alive with bursts of juicy apple and sweet caramel swirl.
Step 6: Baking to Perfection
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they can bake evenly without sticking together. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a lovely light golden color.
Step 7: Cooling and Optional Caramel Drizzle
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. If you’re feeling indulgent, drizzle extra caramel sauce on top of the cooled cookies for an irresistible finishing touch.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dusting of cinnamon sugar on top elevates the flavors beautifully, adding little bursts of complexity with every bite of your Caramel Apple Cookies.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea, a fresh latte, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re serving them as a decadent dessert. The warmth from the drink or the creaminess from the ice cream balances the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few Caramel Apple Cookies on a rustic wooden board for a cozy fall gathering or placing them in a pretty box tied with twine to give as a thoughtful homemade gift. You could also serve them alongside warm caramel dip or a small bowl of whipped cream for dipping extravagance!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Caramel Apple Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days, though I doubt they’ll last that long!
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies briefly in the microwave or oven to bring back their gooey caramel goodness and soften the apples, making every bite taste freshly baked all over again.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for these cookies?
Absolutely! Granny Smith apples add a tart contrast while Fuji or Honeycrisp bring more sweetness. Just make sure to dice them finely for even baking.
Is homemade caramel sauce better for these cookies?
Homemade caramel sauce adds a fresh depth of flavor, but store-bought caramel works great too and saves you time. Either way, your Caramel Apple Cookies will be delicious.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, just substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup. The texture will stay soft and flavorful.
How do I prevent the caramel from burning during baking?
Since the caramel is gently folded into the dough and baked at a moderate temperature, it usually won’t burn. Be sure to use a quality caramel sauce or homemade one that’s not too thick.
Can I add nuts to the Caramel Apple Cookies?
Definitely! Walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch that pairs well with the soft apples and caramel. Mix about ½ cup of chopped nuts into the dough along with the apples.
Final Thoughts
Oh, how these Caramel Apple Cookies fill the kitchen with such a warm, inviting aroma! They’re truly a cozy hug in cookie form and perfect for sharing with family and friends. I hope you have as much fun making and savoring them as I do. Don’t wait—grab those apples and caramel and get baking today!
Print
Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these delicious caramel apple cookies, combining the warm flavors of cinnamon-spiced apple with rich caramel in a soft, chewy cookie. Perfect for fall or any time you crave a comforting sweet treat with a touch of fruity freshness.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit and Toppings
- 1 cup finely diced apple (about 1 medium apple)
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade), plus extra for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Setting these aside will make it easier to combine later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar together until creamy and smooth, using an electric mixer or whisk.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until well combined and slightly fluffy.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Apples and Caramel: Carefully fold in the diced apple and half a cup of caramel sauce until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Cool Down: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Add Extra Caramel Drizzle: For a finishing touch, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cooled cookies before serving to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For best results, use a firm apple variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to provide a nice crunch and balance the sweetness.
- If you prefer your cookies less sweet, reduce the granulated sugar by a tablespoon.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: caramel apple cookies, cinnamon cookies, fall dessert, soft cookies, caramel drizzle, apple dessert
