Caramel Apple Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with warm spices, apple chunks, and gooey caramel bits. A simple fall dessert that tastes just like caramel apples in cookie form.
Caramel Apple Cookies bring together everything we love about fall in one bite. With tender apple pieces, melty caramel, and warm cinnamon, these cookies are a cozy treat that’s perfect for autumn baking.
Enjoy them fresh from the oven with a glass of milk or pack them up for a sweet seasonal gift. Our family also loves to make Apple Pie Cookies for another apple packed dessert.
If you love fun and delicious cookies, also try Pecan Pie Cookies.
What's in this post: Caramel Apple Cookies
Why We Love Caramel Apple Cookies
- Full of fall flavor – Apples, caramel, and warm spices make every bite taste like autumn.
- Soft and chewy – The texture is perfectly tender with little pockets of gooey caramel.
- Family favorite – Kids and adults love the sweet and cozy flavors.
- Simple to make – No complicated steps, just classic cookie baking with a seasonal twist.
- Perfect for sharing – Great for holiday cookie trays, bake sales, or gifting to friends.
Ingredients
Cookies
- Unsalted Butter – Softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps with structure.
- Dark Brown Sugar – Gives the cookies a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Egg – Use a large egg at room temperature.
- Concentrated Apple Juice – Enhances the apple flavor in every bite.
- Vanilla Extract – Always use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
- All-Purpose Flour – Spoon into your measuring cup instead of scooping.
- Apple Pie Spice – Adds warm seasonal flavor.
- Baking Soda – Helps the cookies rise and stay chewy.
- Baking Powder – Provides a little extra lift.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream Cheese – Softened to room temperature for a smooth, creamy base.
- Unsalted Butter – Softened so it blends easily with the cream cheese.
- Caramel Sauce – Homemade Caramel Sauce or store-bought add a sweet caramel flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
- Powdered Sugar – Sifted to remove lumps and create a silky frosting.
Homemade Streusel Topping
- Unsalted Butter – Cold and cubed for the best crumbly texture.
- All-Purpose Flour – Helps form the crisp topping.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and crunch.
- Ground Cinnamon – Gives the topping a warm spiced flavor.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
Additional Topping
- Granny Smith Apple – Diced into small cubes for fresh tart apple flavor and texture.
- Caramel Sauce – Extra for drizzling over the frosted cookies.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2. Make the streusel topping by melting the butter in a medium skillet. Remove from heat and stir in the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture forms moist clumps. Once combined, place the skillet back on the stove on low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Then transfer to a plate to cool completely.
Step 3. For the cookie dough, use a large bowl and cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Then add the egg, apple juice concentrate and vanilla extract. Mix together with a stand mixer.
Step 4. You will need a separate medium bowl. Whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5. Fold together the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
Step 6. Scoop the dough using a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup or 4 tablespoons) to form 9 cookie dough balls. Place them on the prepared pan, spacing them apart.
Step 7. Let the cookies bake for 12 minutes. The edges should be set and the centers slightly soft. Allow to cool on the baking sheet before frosting.
Step 8. Make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
Step 9. Next, add the caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Beat together until fluffy.
Step 10. Once the cookies have cooled, spread cream cheese caramel frosting on each cookie.
Step 11. Finally, top with diced green apples and sprinkle with streusel topping. Then drizzle caramel sauce.
Pro Tips
- Apple juice substitute – If concentrated apple juice isn’t available, simmer ¼ cup of regular apple juice or apple cider on the stove until reduced by half. Let it cool slightly before adding to the dough.
- Wait on toppings – If you aren’t serving the cookies right away, hold off on adding the fresh apples and caramel drizzle. This keeps the cookies from getting soggy.
- Consistent apple pieces – Dice the apples into small, even cubes so they bake evenly into the cookies.
- Don’t overbake – Remove the cookies when the edges are golden and the centers are just set. They’ll finish baking on the tray.
Storage
- Room Temperature: Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: If the cookies are frosted or topped with apples and caramel, store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before adding frosting or toppings.
More Delicious Apple Desserts
- Apple Fritters Recipe
- Apple Bread
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
- Easy Fried Apple Pies Recipe
- Fried Apples
Give this recipe a try for Caramel Apple Cookies! Once you’ve baked them, come back to leave a comment and star rating. I love hearing your feedback.
Caramel Apples Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 tablespoons concentrated apple juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1¼ teaspoons apple pie spice
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 5 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 3 tablespoons caramel sauce. I like to use homemade caramel sauce but you can use store bought.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
For Homemade Streusel Topping:
- 1½ tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Additional Topping:
- 1 green apple diced into small cubes
- Extra caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
For Streusel Topping:
- In a medium skillet, melt the butter.
- Remove from heat and stir in the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture forms moist clumps.
- Return the skillet to low heat and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
- Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
For the Cookies:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, apple juice concentrate and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Use a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup or 4 tablespoons) to form 9 evenly sized cookie dough balls.
- Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly soft.
- Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting.
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add the caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.
- Beat until light and fluffy.
To Assemble:
- Spread a generous layer of cream cheese caramel frosting on each cooled cookie.
- Top with diced green apples.
- Sprinkle with streusel topping.
- Finish with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy!
