Description
Caramel Apple Cookies are chewy, gooey, and loaded with fall flavor. Made with fresh apples, rich homemade caramel, and warm spices, these cookies are the perfect cozy treat for autumn or holiday baking.
Ingredients
3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and grated
1¼ cups granulated sugar
⅛ tsp cream of tartar
2 Tbsp chilled unsalted butter
1½ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cardamom
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
1. Grate apples and squeeze to extract 1/4 cup juice. Set both grated apple and juice aside.
2. Boil sugar, cream of tartar, and apple juice to create caramel. Stir in butter, salt, and spices. Add grated apples and cook until thick. Cool completely.
3. Mix flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, then dry ingredients.
4. Gently fold in cooled apple caramel to create visible swirls. Do not overmix.
5. Scoop dough (about 3 Tbsp each) onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
6. Top with a few pieces of reserved apple caramel and sprinkle with sea salt.
7. Bake at 375°F for 13–16 minutes until edges are golden. Let cool on a wire rack.
8. Repeat with remaining dough after the baking sheet cools.
Notes
You can freeze dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.
To make dairy-free, use vegan butter and coconut cream in place of butter and sour cream.
For extra gooeyness, add a small cube of soft caramel in the center of each dough ball before baking.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 16 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg