Soft Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe

These Caramel Apple Cookies are a perfect blend of sugar cookie, frosting, and fresh chopped apples drizzled with caramel. If you were looking for FALL in a cookie, you just found it!

They’re an irresistible combo of chewy cookies packed with tart apple bits, spiced with a heartwarming blend of fall flavors, and crowned with a luxuriously smooth cream cheese frosting. The best part? A generous drizzle of gooey caramel sauce that’ll make you swoon with every bite of these cookies. Trust me, it’s the best part!

These cookies deliver a burst of apple flavor in each morsel, making them the perfect treat for the fall season. So grab your apron and let’s bake the magic!

What ingredients do you need for these chewy caramel apple cookies recipe?

• ½ cup butter, unsalted
• ½ cup white granulated sugar
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ⅛ teaspoon allspice
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 5 ounces cream cheese
• ¼ cup butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup powdered sugar

Toppings:

• Caramel sauce
• 1 granny smith apples, diced small

How do you make these soft cookies?

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prep a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a medium sized mixing bowl cream together the butter, brown sugar and white granulated sugar.
4. Add the egg and vanilla and blend until smooth.
5. Mix in wet ingredients the flour, cinnamon and other spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend with a mixer until a cookie dough is formed.
6. Use a spoon or 2 inch scooper to create large balls of dough and place on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Flatten slightly with your hands before putting in the oven to bake for 13 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned.
8. In a separate bowl make the cream cheese frosting by add the cream cheese, butter and vanilla at once. Blend together until combined.
9. Add the powdered sugar and mix once again until a smooth creamy frosting has formed.
10. Place this frosting in a piping bag fitted with a large circular tip.
11. Let the cookie cool for 15 minutes once out of the oven.
12. Pipe a circular swirl from the center of the each cookie outwards until you reach the edge. Top with the small cubed green apples. Drizzle with the caramel sauce (or melted caramel).
13. Serve and enjoy!

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?Granny Smith apples work best for their tart flavor and firm texture, but feel free to experiment with your favorite varieties.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?Absolutely! While homemade caramel sauce is divine, a good quality store-bought version will work just as well in a pinch.

Tips and Tricks

Keep ingredients at room temperature. Ensuring your butter, egg, and cream cheese are at room temperature will result in smoother dough and frosting.

Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This helps prevent the cookies from sticking to the cookie sheet and ensures easy removal.

Don’t overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Variations

Apple Cider Cookies: Swap the apple chunks for apple cider for a subtler apple flavor.

Caramel Bits Cookies: Instead of a caramel drizzle, mix caramel bits into the dough for little pockets of caramel goodness.

Apple Butter Cookies: Substitute fresh apple with apple butter for a unique twist.

Where to Serve

These scrumptious cookies are the perfect accompaniment to a cozy fall evening, a Halloween party, or a Thanksgiving feast. They’re also a great addition to lunchboxes, bake sales, and holiday cookie exchanges.

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The cream cheese frosting makes them unsuitable for longer storage unless refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze them without the frosting and add it after thawing. 

If storing these, do not top with frosting, apples or caramel sauce until eating.

This will be one of your favorite cookie recipes!

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Flat Cookies: Ensure your butter isn’t too warm and chill your dough before baking if your kitchen is hot.

Dry Cookies: Do not overbake. Take them out when the edges are golden brown but the center is still soft.

Sticky Caramel: Allow the caramel to cool slightly before drizzling over the top of the cookie.

Topping Options

While caramel sauce is our recommended superstar, feel free to experiment with a sprinkle of sea salt for a salted caramel vibe, a dusting of extra cinnamon for warmth, or even a scoop of ice cream for a cookie sundae extravaganza!

Why This Recipe Works

These caramel apple cookies are a winning recipe because they encapsulate the essence of fall in cookie form. The warm spices, tart apple bits, and the special chewy texture create a yummy fall taste that is so good. These cookies will make you the star of any event.

So now you know the secret to creating your own chewy caramel apple cookies. It’s time to grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let the heavenly aroma of baking cookies fill your home. As always, happy baking!

What are some other fun apple desserts?