CINNAMON CARAMEL APPLE COOKIES

Is there anything better than the smell of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven on a crisp autumn day? I think not! These Soft Caramel Apple Cookies with Cinnamon combine all those warm, comforting flavors into one incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy-to-make cookie. Get ready to bake a batch of cookies that will disappear faster than you can say “sweater weather!”

Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients

Before we embark on this cookie adventure, let’s make sure we have all the necessary ingredients. Don’t worry, nothing too complicated here!

For the Cookie Dough:

• All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/4 cups (281g)
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Ground Cinnamon: 2 teaspoons (because we LOVE cinnamon!)
• Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened
• Granulated Sugar: 3/4 cup
• Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup, packed
• Large Eggs: 2
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon

For the Apple Goodness:

• Apple: 1 medium, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great!)
• Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (to prevent browning)

For the Caramel Swirl:

• Caramel Candies: 1/2 cup, unwrapped (Kraft Caramel Bits are perfect)
• Heavy Cream: 1 tablespoon

Optional – For a Little Extra Oomph:

• Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: 1/2 cup (optional, but adds a lovely crunch)

Step-by-Step to Caramel Apple Cookie Perfection

Alright, let’s get baking! I promise, these cookies are easier than they look. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, gooey caramel apple cookies in no time.

Getting Started:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This is crucial for easy cleanup and prevents sticking!
2. In a small bowl, toss the diced apple with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel is melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

Making the Cookie Dough:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
2. In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Don’t skimp on this step; it’s key to a soft cookie!
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing leads to tough cookies.
5. Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using).

Creating the Caramel Swirl:

1. Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
2. Using a spoon or a toothpick, gently swirl a small amount of the melted caramel over the top of each cookie. Don’t worry about making it perfect; a little imperfection adds character!

Baking Time:

1. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. The cookies will look slightly underbaked, but they’ll continue to cook as they cool.
2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking apart.

The Secret to Soft, Chewy Perfection

What makes these cookies so irresistibly soft and chewy? A few key factors are at play:

• Softened Butter: Using softened (but not melted!) butter is essential for creating a light and airy dough.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds moisture and chewiness to the cookies.
• Don’t Overbake: Slightly underbaking the cookies ensures they stay soft and tender.

Tips and Tricks for Cookie Success

Even with an easy recipe, a few extra tips can make all the difference!

• Chill the Dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
• Use Parchment Paper: As mentioned before, parchment paper is your best friend for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Overcrowding the baking sheet can lead to unevenly baked cookies.
• Adjust Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.

Variations to Spice Things Up

Want to get creative? Here are a few variations you can try:

• Add Spices: Experiment with adding other spices like nutmeg, ginger, or cloves for a warmer, more complex flavor.
• Use Different Apples: Try using different types of apples, like Fuji or Braeburn, for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Drizzle with Chocolate: Drizzle the cooled cookies with melted chocolate for an extra decadent treat.
• Add Oats: For a heartier cookie, add 1/2 cup of rolled oats to the dough.

Storing Your Delicious Creations

These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Just make sure to thaw them completely before enjoying.

Craving More Fall Flavors?

If you’re loving the apple-cinnamon-caramel combination, you’re in the right place! Here are a few other recipes you might enjoy:

• For an easy and delicious party dessert, try CROCKPOT CARAMEL APPLE MAGIC.
• If you want cookies but need more cheesecake in your life, then you need to try APPLE CIDER CHEESECAKE COOKIES.
• Want an even more intense version of the previous cookies? Then you must try FALL CHEESECAKE COOKIE BOMBS.
• For a delicious side dish that compliments fall flavors, then you should try HONEY CINNAMON SWEET POTATOES.
• If you love cinnamon rolls, but want them in cupcake form, try CINNAMON ROLL CUPCAKE PERFECTION.
• And finally, if you are a fan of cheesecakes, but want a caramel apple twist, then you should try CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BLISS.

I hope you enjoy these Soft Caramel Apple Cookies with Cinnamon as much as I do! They’re the perfect treat to celebrate the flavors of fall. Happy baking!

Cinnamon Caramel Apple Cookies

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These soft and chewy cookies combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon, caramel, and apples into a delicious fall treat. Easy to make, they are perfect for sweater weather and will disappear quickly!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Small bowl
• Medium bowl
• Large bowl
• Whisk
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Spoon or toothpick
• Wire rack
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon

Ingredients

  

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ cup caramel candies, unwrapped Kraft Caramel Bits
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, toss the diced apple with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
• In a separate small bowl, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel is melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
• In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using).
• Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
• Using a spoon or a toothpick, gently swirl a small amount of the melted caramel over the top of each cookie.
• Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. The cookies will look slightly underbaked.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help prevent excessive spreading. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. To enhance the apple flavor, consider adding a pinch of apple pie spice to the dry ingredients. For a chewier cookie, substitute some of the all-purpose flour with bread flour.