Craving something sweet? Discover how to make irresistible caramel apple cookies that combine the flavors of fresh apples and rich caramel in every bite. This easy recipe walks you through the steps to create cookies that are perfectly chewy, topped with a drizzle of caramel, and finished with a pinch of sea salt.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup fresh apples, diced (peeled and cored)
1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
A pinch of sea salt for garnish
![Caramel apple cookies blend sweet apples and rich caramel in a soft cookie. This recipe makes about 24 cookies. You will love the warm flavors of fall in every bite. - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1 cup fresh apples, diced (peeled and cored) - 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling) - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) - A pinch of sea salt for garnish You can customize your cookies! Try adding chocolate chips for extra sweetness. Use almond flour for a gluten-free option. If you want a nut-free treat, skip the walnuts or pecans. You can even swap the apples for pears for a unique twist. Enjoy experimenting! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps the cookies bake evenly. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step prevents the cookies from sticking. In a large bowl, cream together one cup of softened butter, one cup of packed brown sugar, and half a cup of granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed until the mix is light and fluffy. Next, add two large eggs. Beat them in one at a time. After that, stir in one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until it blends in well. In another bowl, whisk together two and a quarter cups of all-purpose flour, one teaspoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of fine sea salt, and one teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Gradually sift the dry mix into the wet mix. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this keeps the cookies soft. Now, fold in one cup of diced apples and half a cup of caramel sauce. If you like, add half a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans too. Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave about two inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them. The edges should turn lightly golden, while the centers may look slightly underbaked. They will set as they cool. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes. After that, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. For a delightful finish, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the cookies. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top of each one to enhance the flavor. This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Enjoy every bite of your caramel apple cookies! For a full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. To get the best texture in your caramel apple cookies, use softened butter. This helps create a nice, soft dough. Mix well but don’t overdo it. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. When you add the apples, make sure they are diced small, so they blend into the dough. Avoid adding too much caramel sauce; it can make the dough too wet. For making these cookies, you need a few simple tools: - Mixing bowls - Electric mixer - Baking sheets - Parchment paper - Cookie scoop or tablespoon - Wire rack for cooling Using the right tools will make the process easier and more fun. One common mistake is not measuring ingredients correctly. Use proper measuring cups and spoons. Another mistake is baking cookies at the wrong temperature. Always preheat your oven before baking. Watch the cookies closely in the oven. If you take them out too soon, they may fall apart. If you leave them too long, they can get hard. Follow the Full Recipe carefully for the best results. {{image_4}} You can switch up the flavors in your caramel apple cookies. Try adding: - 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a sweet touch. - 1 teaspoon of nutmeg for a warm spice flavor. - A splash of maple syrup for a unique twist. Experimenting helps you discover new favorites! Want to make these cookies fit your needs? Here are simple swaps: - For gluten-free cookies, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. - To make them vegan, replace the butter with coconut oil and the eggs with flax eggs. - Substitute the caramel sauce with homemade date caramel for a healthy option. These swaps keep the taste delicious while catering to different diets. Make your cookies shine each fall! Add these seasonal spices: - A teaspoon of pumpkin spice for a cozy flavor. - A hint of ginger for a warm, zesty kick. - Chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunch that complements the apples. These twists make your caramel apple cookies perfect for any autumn gathering. For the full recipe, check out the earlier section! To keep your caramel apple cookies fresh, store them properly. Use an airtight container to keep out air and moisture. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store them at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to enjoy them longer, consider freezing them. Freezing your cookies is simple. Wait until they cool completely. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Place them in a freezer-safe bag. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, just thaw them at room temperature. To regain that fresh-baked taste, reheat your cookies. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet. Heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. Check to avoid overbaking. The cookies should feel warm and soft again. Enjoy them warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce for a delightful touch! To make your caramel apple cookies chewy, focus on a few key steps. First, use brown sugar in your dough. Brown sugar has molasses, which adds moisture. Second, do not overmix the dough. Overmixing can make cookies tough. Third, underbake them slightly. When you take them out, they should look set but soft in the middle. They will continue to cook as they cool. This will give you that perfect chewy texture that you crave. Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time! Just prepare the dough as you normally would. After mixing, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before scooping and baking. This makes it easy to enjoy fresh cookies whenever you want. Caramel apple cookies pair well with several treats. A scoop of vanilla ice cream adds creaminess and balances the sweet flavors. You can also serve them with warm caramel sauce for dipping. For a cozy touch, try them with a cup of hot apple cider. This drink brings out the fall flavors and makes for a delightful combination. You can get the full recipe for these tasty cookies to impress your friends and family. This post covered how to make delicious caramel apple cookies. We went through essential ingredients, preparation, and baking. I shared tips to avoid common mistakes and variations for your tastes. You learned how to store and reheat these cookies for the best flavor. With simple steps, you can bake a treat that impresses everyone. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and adjustments. Happy baking!](https://fastmealmate.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/9c1a808e-f093-4e89-97b6-472e42d8d3a6-300x300.webp)