Easy & Delicious Caramel Apple Cookies: The Ultimate Fall Baking Recipe
As the leaves begin to turn golden and a crisp chill fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods wafting from the kitchen. Fall is undeniably the season of apples, and while apple pies and crisps hold a special place in our hearts, these incredible Caramel Apple Cookies offer a delightful new way to celebrate the harvest. This recipe is more than just a treat; it’s a warm hug in cookie form, destined to become a cherished tradition in your home.
Each autumn, my craving for all things apple-flavored reaches an all-time high, and apple cookies are always at the top of the list. Last year, our glazed soft apple cookies recipe was a massive hit, inspiring me to share another fantastic apple cookie creation this season. Prepare yourself for a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of fall in every single bite.
Why These Caramel Apple Cookies Will Be Your New Obsession
You are truly going to fall in love with these rich and decadent apple cookies. What makes them so special? It’s the irresistible combination of textures and flavors. Each cookie is generously packed with tender dried apple chunks that offer a delightful chew, sweet and gooey caramel chips that melt in your mouth, and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips that add a touch of classic comfort. The result is a harmonious blend that creates a crisp exterior with a perfectly chewy interior – the ideal cookie experience!
Despite their complex flavor profile, these delightful cookies are surprisingly simple to make. From start to finish, you’ll spend only about 20 minutes in the kitchen, making them an excellent choice for a spontaneous baking session or when you need a quick dessert. And with the addition of chocolate chips, these thick caramel apple cookies evoke a delightful “turtle vibe” – a nod to the classic candy combination of pecans, caramel, and chocolate. This trio of apples, chocolate, and caramel is truly heavenly – a flavor symphony that’s incredibly good!
The Perfect Fall Treat for Any Occasion
Imagine serving a plate of these warm, fragrant cookies at your next fall gathering, or simply enjoying one with your afternoon coffee. They are fantastic on their own, but for a truly indulgent experience, try pairing them with a steaming glass of homemade crockpot apple cider or a creamy hot caramel macchiato. They’re also a wonderful addition to school lunchboxes, potlucks, or as a thoughtful gift for friends and neighbors.
Essential Ingredients for Your Caramel Apple Cookies
This recipe relies on a combination of pantry staples and a few star ingredients that bring all the fall flavors to life. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our chewy cookie structure.
- Baking Soda & Salt: For proper leavening and balancing the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature): Crucial for a tender crumb and rich flavor. Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A blend that delivers both moisture (from brown sugar) and crisp edges (from granulated sugar), creating that perfect balance.
- Large Eggs & Vanilla Extract: Binders and flavor enhancers that make these cookies truly special.
- Dried Apples (Chopped): The star of the show! Dried apples provide intense apple flavor and a chewy texture without adding too much moisture to the dough. Ensure they are finely chopped for even distribution.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds a delightful richness and that “turtle” touch.
- Caramel Bits/Chips: These melt into gooey pockets of caramel goodness, tying all the flavors together.
Tips for Baking Flawless Caramel Apple Cookies
Achieving the perfect cookie is easy with a few simple tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify better with the sugars, creating a smoother, more uniform dough and a better cookie texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough cookies.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate results, spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Don’t scoop directly from the bag, as this can compact the flour and lead to using too much.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
- Cooling Time: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes after baking. This helps them firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing them from breaking.
- Storage: Store your cooled caramel apple cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness.
These simple steps will ensure that every batch of your homemade caramel apple cookies turns out perfectly golden, crisp on the outside, and delightfully chewy on the inside.
More Apple Desserts to Make This Fall
If you’re as obsessed with apple desserts as we are, be sure to check out some of our other fantastic recipes perfect for the autumn season:
- Apple Pie Cookies – all the flavor of mini apple pies in a convenient cookie form!
- Salted Caramel Apple Crumb Cake – a delightful blend of sweet, salty, and crumbly textures.
- Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Cookies – while not apple, these are another quintessential fall cookie that pairs wonderfully with autumn flavors.
- Apple Snickers Salad – a fun and fruity salad with a candy twist, perfect for gatherings.
- Crockpot Apple & Pear Crisp – an easy, warm, and comforting dessert made right in your slow cooker.
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples – recreate a beloved restaurant classic right at home.
And for those who can’t get enough caramel, don’t miss my Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookie Bar recipe for another incredibly easy and satisfying treat!
Caramel Apple Cookies
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried apples chopped
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup caramel bits/chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
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Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together into a medium-sized bowl. This step ensures there are no lumps and that the dry ingredients are well-distributed. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter, packed brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well-combined. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes.
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Set your mixer to low speed and gradually add the prepared dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients. Mix just until all the dry ingredients are incorporated. Once all the dry ingredients have been added, increase the speed to medium and mix for about 30 more seconds, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently stir in the chopped dried apples, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and caramel bits until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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Using a cookie scoop (about 1.5-2 tablespoons) or a rounded tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are placed about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are just set. Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven. Allow the cookies to cool for 3-5 minutes on the cookie sheet before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent them from breaking apart. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy the taste of fall!
Notes
Nutrition
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Pin for Later: Save This Delicious Fall Cookie Recipe!
Don’t let this delightful recipe get lost! Pin it to your favorite fall baking or dessert boards on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever the craving for a warm, chewy, caramel apple cookie strikes. It’s truly a recipe you’ll want to revisit year after year.
This irresistible recipe was proudly featured on Meal Plan Monday and The Weekend Potluck, proving its popularity among home bakers and food enthusiasts!
We hope you enjoy baking and sharing these wonderful caramel apple cookies as much as we do. Happy Fall baking!