Caramel Apple Cookies – The Perfect Fall Dessert Recipe

There is nothing better than the flavor of caramel apples, especially when the flavors are combined and made into cookies. It is the perfect dessert to make in the fall months when the are plenty of fresh picked apples at the market or store.

However it is also one of my favorite cookies to add to my Christmas cookie trays as well. Diced Granny Smith apples, rolled oats and apple pie spice are combined into a classic cookie recipe.

Then to top it off, a generous serving of a sweet caramel icing makes this cookie recipe a must try. Not only do they look impressive, the taste is always a huge hit with anyone who tries them.

The Secret Ingredient

The key to making these caramel apple cookies, is brown butter. No, this isn’t an ingredient that you purchase at the store.

Instead, you will brown the butter yourself. It is an easy process that makes a huge difference in the flavor of the cookies. Once the butter melts down it becomes a deep, dark amber color.

This slow darkening of the butter creates a toffee and caramel like flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients in the cookies.

How To Make Brown Butter For Caramel Apple Cookies

Luckily, making brown butter is a very simple process. It requires only one ingredient and a little patience.

However the time that it takes to make brown butter is well worth it! Start by placing your butter in a saucepan and place over medium heat.

You will first notice the butter bubbling, steaming and starting to form some foam at the top as the water from the butter evaporates. After a few minutes, you will notice the color begins to turn gold.

It’s important to keep cooking the butter for a few more minutes to really reach a deeper caramel color to achieve that classic brown butter flavor. Just be sure to stir frequently to prevent the butter from scorching on the bottom of the pot.

Once the butter is nice and brown, remove it from the heat so it can cool. Once it cools it can then be added to the recipe.

What Type of Apples To Make Caramel Apple Cookies

To gain maximum apple flavor 2 different ingredients are used. By using both fresh and dried apples you will have the perfect balance of apple flavor and texture.

Start with peeling and dicing a Granny Smith apple. These apples are the perfect baking apple as they hold up well during the baking process. In addition their tart flavor pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cookie and caramel flavors.

Next, dried apple chips are added to the cookie dough. This ingredient is simply dehydrated apples that can be found in your local grocery store.

Although in the fall you can often find a bag of dried apples in the seasonal aisle, you can also find them in the snack aisle next to the other dehydrated fruit.

Rolled Oats

Another important ingredient to make these caramel apple cookies is rolled oats. Also known as old-fashioned oats these oats are the base of the cookie dough.

However be sure that you are using rolled oats and not quick, instant or steel cut oats in this recipe. The cookies will not set up properly if you anything but rolled oats.

Apple Pie Spice

Apple pie spice is a great ingredient to have on hand during the fall and winter months. It’s a mixture of warm spices that are typically made up of ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, nutmeg and allspice.

However if you don’t have apple pie spice on hand or it’s not available in stores, you can still make caramel apple cookies. Below I have listed the ingredients of Homemade Apple Pie Spice that will make approximately 1/3 cup.

Not only will you use it to make Homemade Apple Pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can also use it to make this Easy Apple Pie Dump Cake when unexpected guests arrive.

Although you will only use 1 teaspoon, you can store the remainder of the spice mixture in a closed container for use throughout the year. Just be sure to label it so you don’t forget what is in the container.

Homemade Apple Pie Spice

• 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Simply mix all the ingredients together until well blended. Then store in a covered container.

Caramel Apple Cookies

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup salted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 Tbsp. apple cider
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. apple pie spice
• 3/4 c. rolled oats
• 1 Granny Smith apple, grated (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apple chips

Homemade Caramel Icing

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp. apple cider
• 3 tbsp. caramel sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

First, brown the butter by melting it over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Let it cook and bubble for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the foam and butter underneath is medium golden brown in color. 

Transfer the butter to a large, heat proof mixing bowl. Let it cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 

Then, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. In a medium size mixing bowl add the flour, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice and whisk until incorporated. Set aside.

Next, add the brown and granulated sugars to the mixing bowl with the slightly cooled browned butter and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute or until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla to the bowl with the butter and sugar mixture and mix on low speed just until combined.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined. Add the oats and grated apple and mix again until combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the apple chips using a silicone spatula.

Then, using a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 tablespoons) scoop the dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheets. Grease the bottom of a glass or use the palm of your hand and gently press to flatten.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 – 12 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire cooking rack to cool completely.

Homemade Caramel Icing For Caramel Apple Cookies

The homemade caramel icing is a quick and easy to make sauce that only requires three ingredients. Start by mixing the powdered sugar with the apple cider.

This sugar and cider mixture will make a thin glaze-like consistency. Next, add in the caramel sauce until it is well incorporated. Then drizzle the top of each cookie with the sauce once they have completely cooled.

Enjoy! Mary

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Other Delicious Cookie Recipes

• Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
• Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars