If you are craving a dessert that perfectly blends the crisp sweetness of apples with the rich, buttery goodness of caramel, you absolutely have to try this Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe. Each bite offers a delightful surprise—a little pocket of molten caramel surrounded by soft, warmly spiced cookie dough that melts in your mouth. These cookies capture the very essence of cozy fall flavors but are so irresistible, you’ll want to enjoy them all year round. Trust me, once you make this Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe, it will quickly become a beloved staple in your baking rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, each playing a special role in building layers of flavor, texture, and that irresistible aroma. From the soft butter that provides a tender crumb to the instant vanilla pudding mix that keeps the cookies moist, every component is essential to making these cookies exceptional.
- Unsalted butter (12 tablespoons or 1½ sticks): Provides rich flavor and a soft, tender texture to the cookie dough.
- Granulated sugar (¾ cup, divided): Adds sweetness and helps create a golden crust, with a portion reserved for coating the dough balls.
- Apple pie spice or ground cinnamon (2½ teaspoons, divided): Brings warm, inviting spice notes that perfectly complement the apples and caramel.
- Soft caramel candies (21 pieces): The ooey-gooey surprise center, melting into luscious pockets inside the cookies.
- Dark brown sugar (¾ cup, packed): Adds deep molasses flavor and chewy richness to the dough.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients together and contributes to the cookie’s soft, tender structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances sweetness and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Kosher salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies the cookie’s flavor profile.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The main structure of the cookies, giving them body and bite.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix (1 box, 3.4 ounces): Keeps the cookies moist, soft, and irresistibly tender.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
- Honeycrisp apples (1 large or 2 medium, peeled, cored, and diced): Juicy, crisp sweetness that brings fresh fruitiness and texture into the dough.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Butter and Sugar Coating
Start by beating the softened butter with half of the granulated sugar and one and a half teaspoons of apple pie spice until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step not only helps to aerate the dough for a soft texture but also creates a deliciously spiced sugar coating you’ll use later, adding an extra burst of flavor and sparkle to each cookie.
Step 2: Preheat and Prep Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), ensuring it’s ready to bake your cookies to golden perfection. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats; this will prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze. Unwrap all the caramel candies so they are ready to be nestled inside each cookie ball—no one wants to scramble at the last minute!
Step 3: Make the Cookie Dough
Next, to your butter mixture, add the dark brown sugar, remaining granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Beat until everything is well combined and creamy. Then, gradually mix in the dry ingredients—the all-purpose flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and remaining apple pie spice—until just incorporated. This careful mixing ensures your cookies have the perfect balance of flavor and structure.
Step 4: Fold in the Apples
Gently fold the diced Honeycrisp apples into the cookie dough. Adding the apples last keeps them from breaking down too much, so you get those wonderful chunks that add juicy freshness and a little crispness baked right into each bite.
Step 5: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Using a tablespoon scoop, measure out the dough, flatten it slightly in your palm, then place a caramel candy in the center. Cover the candy completely with more dough and roll it into a smooth ball. Once shaped, roll each dough ball in the sugar and spice mixture you prepared in Step 1. This coating will give the cookies a lovely sweet-spiced crust after they bake.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake them at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes, until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheets for about five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. The caramel centers will remain delightfully soft and gooey, making these cookies utterly irresistible.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe, consider sprinkling them with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted caramel sauce for extra shine and decadence. A pinch of flaky sea salt sprinkled on top before serving can also highlight the caramel’s sweetness and balance the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm beverage like cinnamon-spiced apple cider, chai tea, or a perfectly creamy latte. For an indulgent treat, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream which complements the warm spices and buttery caramel.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh apple slices and small bowls of caramel sauce for dipping. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a smear of cream cheese frosting or apple butter for an impressive twist that delights guests and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days without losing their freshness. To keep the caramel centers gooey and the apples tender, store them with a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these delicious cookies later, freeze the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can last well up to three months in the freezer and thaw perfectly for a quick snack or dessert anytime.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe in the oven at 300°F for about 5 to 7 minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness and warm the caramel inside gently. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies chewy or the caramel overly hot and sticky.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples are recommended for their sweetness and crunch, Granny Smith or Fuji apples can also work well, offering a slightly tarter or sweeter flavor depending on your preference.
What can I use instead of instant vanilla pudding mix?
The pudding mix helps keep these cookies moist and tender, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can substitute with an equal amount of flour or use homemade vanilla pudding, though texture may vary slightly.
How do I prevent the caramel from leaking out during baking?
Be sure to fully enclose the caramel candy within the dough and seal it well by gently rolling the dough ball. Using soft caramel candies that melt easily also helps create a gooey center without excessive leakage.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing before baking?
Yes! You can freeze the shaped dough balls coated in the sugar-spice mixture on a baking sheet, then transfer to a container. When ready, bake from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure your pudding mix and other ingredients are gluten-free as well for the best results.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the combination of warm spices, fresh apples, and gooey caramel in the Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe. They bring a comforting sweetness and a bit of surprise with every bite, perfect for sharing with friends and family around the table. I encourage you to dive into the kitchen and create a batch—you won’t regret filling your home with these incredible aromas or the joy these cookies bring to every bite.
Print
Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 21 cookies 1x
Description
These Caramel Apple Cookies combine soft, buttery dough with tender chunks of Honeycrisp apples and gooey caramel centers, rolled in a sweet apple pie spice sugar coating. Perfectly spiced and chewy, they bring the classic flavors of autumn into a delightful cookie form, ideal for cozy gatherings or a special treat.
Ingredients
Butter and Sugar Coating
- 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided
- 2½ teaspoons apple pie spice or ground cinnamon, divided
Cookie Dough
- 21 soft caramel candies (e.g., Kraft Baking Caramels)
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large or 2 medium Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and diced
Instructions
- Prepare Butter and Sugar Coating: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with ½ cup of granulated sugar and 1½ teaspoons of apple pie spice until the mixture is light and fluffy. This mixture will give the cookies their buttery flavor and a spiced sugar coating. Set aside the mixture for later use to coat the cookies.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Unwrap all the caramel candies so they are ready to be wrapped inside the cookie dough.
- Make the Cookie Dough: To the butter mixture, beat in the dark brown sugar, the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar, the egg, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully incorporated, forming a soft cookie dough.
- Add Apples: Peel, core, and dice the Honeycrisp apples into small pieces. Fold the diced apples gently into the dough until evenly distributed, being careful not to overmix to keep the apples from breaking down too much.
- Shape and Fill Cookies: Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of the dough, flatten it slightly, and place one caramel candy in the center. Cover the caramel with additional dough and roll it gently into a ball to seal the caramel inside. Roll each dough ball in the reserved sugar-spice mixture to coat the outside before placing on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Arrange the dough balls on the baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges. Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting lets the caramel settle and prevents sticking.
Notes
- Use Honeycrisp apples for their sweet-tart flavor and firmness, which hold up well during baking.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix adds moisture and tenderness to the cookies.
- Make sure to fully seal the caramel candies inside the dough to prevent them from leaking during baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat slightly for a gooey caramel experience.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves to the apple pie spice mix.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
