Caramel apple cookies embody all of the taste of a traditional caramel apple. They have just the right amount of apple cider, cinnamon, and of course caramel!
Recipe Essentials
A lot of the simple ingredients for these caramel apple cookies might already be in your kitchen. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Instant Apple Cider Drink Mix – Don’t knock it till you try it! This drink mix if perfect for fall baking and full of that apple flavor you love. You can order it online or find it at the grocery store near the apple juice, in the baking aisle or sometimes on an endcap around the fall season.
- Caramels – Chewy caramel in the center of these cookies is what takes them to the next level! I like the large caramel candies, but you can also use caramel bits; just know that they likely won’t be as melty in the middle.
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Salt
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Flour
- Pumpkin pie spice
5S Philosophy 👩🏻
- Salt – I like to use unsalted butter to control the salt content of these cookies. If using salted butter, leave out the additional salt.
- Seasonings – Sprinkle ginger, allspice, nutmeg, brown sugar or cinnamon on the top of the cookies for extra warmth and fall flavor.
- Swaps – If you’d like to add some fresh apples, chopped granny smith apples mixed right into the dough would be a great addition.
- Sauces – A homemade caramel sauce or even salted caramel sauce would be totally delicious drizzled on top of these delicious caramel apple cookies.
- Senses – Soft and chewy, these caramel apple cookies burst with warm apple cider aroma, fill each bite with spiced sweetness, and reveal a gooey caramel center that melts on the tongue.
Perfect Pairings
Of course, these caramel apple cookies are delicious enough to eat all on their own. But you could pair them with other fun fall treats. Anything apple or pumpkin could do.
They would also taste great with ice cream. Vanilla ice cream, caramel ice cream or any other of your favorite flavors. Dip cookie into the ice cream and you’ve got a delicious treat.
Serve them with a hot glass of mulled cider. Mmm just the thought of these cookies makes my mouth water!! And if you’re a big caramel apple lover, try making your own homemade caramel apples!
Caramel Apple Cookie Recipe
Caramel Apple Cookies are the easy and mess free way to enjoy caramel apples! Apple spiced cookie dough stuffed with gooey caramel is the best apple cookie recipe you will ever taste!
Servings: cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter , softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs , room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 box Instant Apple Cider Drink Mix , 10 packets, such as Alpine
- 12 caramels , unwrapped, cut in half
Sugar Roll
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Sift or whisk together the 3 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl using a hand held electric mixer, cream together the softened 1 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup sugar. Add the 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Slowly, one packet at a time to avoid an apple cider dust bomb, blend in the 1 box Instant Apple Cider Drink Mix (I'm telling you this from experience).
- Half and cup at a time, add in the dry ingredient mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1-2 hours.
- Unwrap all of the 12 caramels and put in a small bowl, cutting in half using kitchen shears. Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a small bowl combine the 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice for the cookie roll.
- Spoon out approximately 1 tablespoon of the cookie dough, roll into a ball and smash flat in the palm of your hand. Place a 1/2 caramel piece in the center and roll tightly around to prevent any holes. Roll the cookie dough ball in the spiced sugar and place 2 inches apart on the lined cookie sheet. Repeat with the rest of the cookie dough, placing it back into the fridge to chill between batches.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes, cookies will look slightly undercooked. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know if you liked them in the comments or star ratings!
Notes
Storage: You can store any leftover caramel apple cookies in an airtight container. No need to refrigerate, you can store these at room temperature.
Freezing: You can also freeze these cookies if you’d like to. Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months.
Nutrition
Calories: 229 kcal, Carbohydrates: 35 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 34 mg, Sodium: 113 mg, Potassium: 58 mg, Sugar: 21 g, Vitamin A: 260 IU, Vitamin C: 0.2 mg, Calcium: 21 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
More Easy Cookie Recipes
There’s nothing better than a fresh cookie right out of the oven. Here are a few of our favorites that we know you’ll love too.
your reciepe doesnt have butter listed, how much butter and what kind
One cup unsalted, happy baking!
thank you