Description
These Easy Caramel Apple Cookies combine tender, spiced cookie dough with juicy diced apples and a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfectly soft with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, these cookies offer a delightful fall-inspired treat that’s simple to prepare and sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Peel and dice the apples into small, bite-sized chunks. Set them aside for later use.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create tender cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, mixing until everything is smooth and well-combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Apples: Carefully fold the diced apples into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly without smashing.
- Form Cookies: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop portions of cookie dough onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the cookies are set.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Drizzle Caramel: Once cooled, drizzle the cookies with warmed caramel sauce for a sweet and gooey finishing touch.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a nice balance against the sweetness of the caramel and sugar.
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Don’t overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Warm caramel sauce slightly before drizzling to make it easier to pour.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
