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Caramel Apple Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

These caramel apple cookies have the best flavors of fall packed into one amazing package. They are so rich and moist – you’ll love them!

Caramel Apple Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

Although it is still hot outside around here, when I see the school buses starting to pick up the kids on the corner I can’t help but start dreaming about fall. The first thing I think about is cooler weather, and the second thing that comes to mind is delicious fall dessert recipes.

And since there aren’t pumpkins at the farmer’s market yet I decided to get to baking with one of my other favorite fall ingredients . . . apples! If you like apple recipes, this is going to be a special treat that will never leave your autumn baking arsenal. Trust me.

caramel apple cookie recipe

Today I’m going to share the most delicious recipe with you that has the best flavors of fall packed into one amazing cookie. These caramel apple cookies are rich, moist and full of fall flavors.

Caramel Apple Cookie Recipe

They are the perfect way to indulge in those fall feelings you know you are starting to have! Before I give you the recipe, I’m going to share some tips and tricks with you I think you should know:

  • Don’t skip chilling the dough. Sometimes it’s a drag to wait but it keeps the cookies from spreading and enhances the flavor.
  • Let your pan cool between batches of cookies (it helps to have two pans in rotation). This keeps the cookies from spreading a lot.
  • swear by USA Pans. They are my absolutely favorite and cook baked items so evenly.
  • Check the cookies regularly through the baking process and go by how they look versus the time on the recipe. The edges should be golden brown and set and the tops looking flat when you bring them out.
  • Cold ingredients should be at room temperature (egg, butter) but don’t leave them out too long.
  • Bread flour can make these cookies more chewy, and cake flour can make them more delicate (as alternatives to white flour).
candy apple cookies

Don’t they look delicious? Adding fresh apple adds the perfect amount of moisture and apple flavor, and topping them off with pecans gives them the most perfect nutty crunch!

apple cookie recipe with brown sugar frosting

If you’re ready to try this delicious fall dessert – get the printable recipe below!

Yield: 36 cookies

Caramel Apple Cookies

Caramel Apple Cookies

This delicious caramel apple cookie recipe has the best flavors of fall packed into one amazing cookie. They are so rich and moist - you'll love them!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cookies

  • 1/2 cup butter (softened at room temperature)
  • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg(s)
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 large tart apple(s) such as Granny Smith

For the Frosting

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 3 T butter
  • 3 T apple juice
  • 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

For the Cookies

  1. Peel and core the apple. Coarsely shred until you have about 1 cup of apple. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
  4. Mix in the egg and apple juice. Beat on low speed until just combined.
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the larger bowl and mix in with the butter, egg, and juice until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally.
  6. Fold the cup of shredded apple into the batter until just combined.
  7. Chill the batter in the refrigerator for 30 minutes up to 24 hours.
  8. Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  9. Drop dough by slightly rounded teaspoons about two inches apart.
  10. Bake about 10 minutes or until tops are lightly browned and the edges are set.
  11. Let stand 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.Caramel apple cookies cooling on a wire rack

For the Frosting

  1. In a small saucepan, heat and stir brown sugar, butter, and apple juice over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.
  2. Whisk in powdered sugar until just combined.
  3. Spread frosting on cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with pecans.Frosting applied to the top of a cookie

Notes

If frosting begins to harden, stir in a small amount of apple juice to achieve spreading consistency.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1 cookie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 154Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

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What are your favorite fall recipes you are itching to make once the seasons change? I’d love to hear! And be sure to come visit my sister and me as we blog about style, food, and the things we love over at The Pretty Life Girls.

If you liked this unique cookie recipe, I’d love for you to check out these other autumn food and drink recipes I think you’ll like:

Sally

Monday 5th of December 2022

Made these cookies for something different at a cookie exchange. Was disappointed with the flavor and texture. All good ingredients, but very bland, even with a little extra cinnamon (1.5 tsp instead of just 1) and boiled apple cider added to the apple juice. I think the recipe would be improved by substituting some of the flour with instant oats, which would give much needed texture and flavor instead of being doughy. As for more flavor, mix 1/2 granny apple for tart, 1/2 sweet red apple of choice and a tbsp of lemon juice to bring that flavor out. Also, more spice! One teaspoon of cinnamon isn't even noticeable. I think I'd beef that up to at least a tablespoon. This is for a whole batch, afterall. Nutmeg is much stronger, so a teaspoon is plenty. Recipe is different and has potential, but my palate needs more robust flavor. Happy baking!

Alexandra

Friday 4th of September 2015

These sound delicious! All the greatness of candy apples in a yummy little cookie. Pinned.

Paige

Thursday 27th of August 2015

These cookies look and sound delicious! I'm sure these are going to be a new fall favorite in our house!

Paige https://www.thehappyflammily.com/

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