Amazing caramel apple cookies in 1 hour

There’s just something magical about fall, isn’t there? The crisp air, the colorful leaves… and of course, the irresistible flavors of apple and caramel! I remember feeling so disconnected from my kitchen for years, caught up in the corporate whirlwind. But discovering the sheer joy in simple things, like baking a perfect loaf of bread, totally changed things for me. It’s that same feeling of pure comfort and happiness I want you to get from these incredible caramel apple cookies. They’re everything you love about a classic fairground caramel apple, but in a super soft, chewy cookie form. Packed with sweet apple bits and finished with a dreamy caramel drizzle, they’re honestly like a little bite of fall heaven. Trust me, you’re going to love them!

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Cookies

Seriously, these cookies are a game-changer for fall baking. Once you try them, you’ll see why they’re a favorite:

• No-Chill Dough: Yep, you read that right! No waiting around for the dough to chill. You can mix these up and have warm cookies in your kitchen in under an hour. Perfect for those spontaneous baking cravings!
• Perfectly Chewy Texture: These aren’t your cakey, crumbly cookies. They’ve got that wonderful soft, chewy center with just a hint of golden edge that makes you want to go back for just one more.
• Real Apple Goodness: We’re not skimping on flavor here! Finely chopped fresh apples mean you get little bursts of tart-sweet apple in every single bite, like a mini caramel apple in cookie form.
• Dreamy Caramel Drizzle: The final touch! A generous drizzle of sweet caramel sauce takes these cookies from delicious to downright decadent. It’s the perfect marriage with the apple and cinnamon spices.
• Warm Fall Spices: A comforting blend of cinnamon and nutmeg makes them smell and taste like pure autumn. It’s the kind of scent that just fills your home with cozy vibes.

Gather Your Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cookies

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row for these amazing cookies. Having everything ready makes the whole process super smooth. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Butter: 1 cup (that’s 2 sticks, unsalted, softened). Make sure it’s nice and soft, not melted!
• Sugars: 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar for that perfect sweetness and chew.
• Eggs: 2 large ones.
• Vanilla: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – always the best for that warm flavor!
• Flour: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.
• Leavening: 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. These guys do the heavy lifting for texture and flavor balance.
• Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. These are key for that cozy fall vibe!
• Apples: 1 cup finely chopped apples. Honeycrisp or Fuji are my go-tos because they’re sweet and stay a little firm when baked.
• Caramel Bits: 1/2 cup caramel bits or any chopped-up caramel candy you love.
• Caramel Sauce: About 1/4 cup for that gorgeous drizzle at the end.

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Crafting Your Perfect Caramel Apple Cookies

Alright, let’s get these cookies into the oven and smelling amazing! It’s pretty straightforward, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get that perfect fall cookie every time.

Prepare Your Baking Station

First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This little step saves so much hassle later – trust me, nobody wants cookies stuck to the pan!

Mixing the Cookie Dough

In a big bowl, we’re going to cream together that softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugar. Beat them until they’re nice and fluffy, like whipped clouds. Then, crack in your eggs one by one, mixing after each one, and stir in that lovely vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Now, gradually add those dry ingredients into the wet ones, mixing until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overmix it – that’s the secret to keeping them tender!

Incorporating Apples and Caramel

Gently fold in your finely chopped apples and those yummy caramel bits. I like to make sure they’re pretty evenly distributed throughout the dough so you get a little bit of that apple-caramel goodness in every single bite.

Baking Your Caramel Apple Cookies

Now for the fun part! Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them so they have room to spread. Pop them into the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden brown, but the centers should still look a little soft. That’s how you get that perfect chewy center for your caramel apple cookies.

Cooling and Finishing Touches

Once they’re out, let the cookies hang out on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes to set up a bit. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool down completely. Before they’re totally cool, grab your caramel sauce and give them a lovely drizzle. It looks so pretty and adds that extra punch of caramel flavor!

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Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Cookies

Alright, let’s make sure these cookies turn out absolutely perfect every single time! It’s all about a few little secrets I’ve picked up:

• Fresh Apples are Key: Please, please use fresh apples! Pre-shredded carrots often have added preservatives that can mess with texture, and for cookies, firm, finely chopped apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji work wonders. They add moisture and a lovely texture without getting mushy.
• Don’t Overmix: Seriously, as soon as you don’t see streaks of flour, stop mixing! Overworking the dough develops gluten, which can lead to tougher cookies instead of the delicious, chewy fall cookies we’re aiming for.
• Soft, Not Melted Butter: Make sure your butter is truly softened – you should be able to press an indentation into it with your finger, but it shouldn’t be greasy or liquid. This is crucial for that creamy base.
• Caramel Magic: For an extra boost of caramel flavor, you can even press a few extra caramel bits into the tops of the cookies right after they come out of the oven. They’ll melt beautifully!
• Bake Time is Important: Keep an eye on them! You want the edges to be lightly golden, but the centers should still look slightly underbaked when you pull them out. They’ll continue to cook on the hot baking sheet, giving you that sought-after chewy texture that makes these so amazing.

Ingredient Spotlight: Apples for Your Cookies

When you’re making these caramel apple cookies, don’t just grab any old apple! I really love using Honeycrisp or Fuji apples because they stay nice and firm during baking, giving you little pops of sweet, slightly tart apple flavor. Plus, their natural sweetness is just perfect with the cinnamon and caramel. Just be sure to chop them up nice and small so they mix in easily!

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Storing and Reheating Your Caramel Apple Cookies

These chewy fall cookies are best when they’re fresh, but they keep wonderfully for a few days! Once they’ve cooled completely, just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay delightfully soft and chewy at room temperature for about 3 days. If you magically have any left after that (which I doubt!), think yourself lucky! If you want a warm, gooey treat, just pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds – it’s like they just came out of the oven!

Frequently Asked Questions About Caramel Apple Cookies

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Estimated Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re working with, here’s an estimated breakdown for one of these delicious caramel apple cookies. Keep in mind, this is a general guide, and the exact numbers can vary a bit depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use! Think of it as a tasty ballpark figure.

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: Around 200
• Fat: About 10g
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 25g
• Sugar: Around 20g
• Protein: Just about 2g

Share Your Caramel Apple Cookie Creations!

I truly hope you love making and eating these cookies as much as I do! Did you try them? I’d be absolutely thrilled if you’d share your experience in the comments below, or even better, rate the recipe! And hey, don’t forget to tag me on social media when you share your beautiful caramel apple cookies – I can’t wait to see them!

Caramel Apple Cookies

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Enjoy the taste of fall with these soft, chewy caramel apple cookies. Packed with apple pieces and drizzled with caramel, they’re like a caramel apple in cookie form. The dough is no-chill, making them perfect for a quick fall treat.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup finely chopped apples (like Honeycrisp or Fuji)
• 1/2 cup caramel bits or chopped caramel candies
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce, for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Gently fold in the chopped apples and caramel bits.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, drizzle the cookies with caramel sauce.

Notes

• For a stronger caramel flavor, you can use a mix of caramel bits and chopped caramel candies.
• Ensure your apples are finely chopped so they distribute evenly in the dough.
• These cookies are best enjoyed the day they are made, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg