Caramel Apple Pie Cookies: A Fall Baking Delight

Fall is the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and, most importantly, apple pie! But what if you could enjoy the flavors of apple pie in a convenient, bite-sized cookie form? Enter Caramel Apple Pie Cookies – the perfect treat to satisfy your autumnal cravings. These cookies combine the warmth of apple pie filling with the sweet indulgence of caramel, all nestled in a buttery, crumbly cookie crust. This recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring you create these delicious cookies with ease.

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

* **Fall Flavors in Every Bite:** The combination of apples, cinnamon, and caramel evokes the quintessential flavors of fall.
* **Perfectly Portable:** Unlike a slice of pie, these cookies are easy to transport and enjoy on the go.
* **Impressive & Delicious:** These cookies are visually appealing and taste amazing, making them perfect for gatherings or gifts.
* **Easy to Make:** While they look impressive, these cookies are surprisingly simple to make with common baking ingredients.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to adjust the spices, type of apple, or caramel to suit your preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start baking, gather the following ingredients:

**For the Cookie Dough:**

* 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon salt

**For the Apple Pie Filling:**

* 4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons water
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to prevent browning)

**For the Caramel Topping:**

* 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
* 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
* Optional: Sea salt flakes, for sprinkling

Equipment Needed

* Mixing bowls (large and medium)
* Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Cookie sheets
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
* Small saucepan
* Cooling rack
* Cookie scoop (optional, for uniform cookies)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get started! Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of Caramel Apple Pie Cookies:

Part 1: Making the Cookie Dough

1. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
2. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
3. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. **Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:** Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
5. **Chill the Dough:** Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours). Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Part 2: Preparing the Apple Pie Filling

1. **Combine Apples and Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat the apples evenly. Add the lemon juice if using.
2. **Cook the Apple Filling:** In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the filling has thickened slightly (about 8-10 minutes).
3. **Cool the Filling:** Remove the apple filling from the heat and let it cool completely before using it to fill the cookies. This is important to prevent the cookies from becoming soggy.

Part 3: Assembling the Cookies

1. **Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. **Scoop Cookie Dough:** Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out rounded tablespoons of cookie dough. Roll each scoop into a ball and flatten slightly.
3. **Create a Well:** Use your thumb or a small spoon to create a well in the center of each cookie dough ball, making sure not to go all the way through to the bottom.
4. **Fill the Cookies:** Spoon a generous amount of the cooled apple pie filling into the well of each cookie.
5. **Bake the Cookies:** Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
6. **Cool on Baking Sheets:** Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Part 4: Making the Caramel Topping

1. **Melt the Caramel:** In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the unwrapped caramel candies and milk or heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel is completely melted and smooth.
2. **Drizzle Caramel Over Cookies:** Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the melted caramel over the tops of the cookies. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for this step.
3. **Sprinkle with Sea Salt (Optional):** If desired, sprinkle the cookies with sea salt flakes for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
4. **Let Caramel Set:** Allow the caramel to set completely before serving or storing the cookies.

Tips for Perfect Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

* **Use Cold Butter (Initially):** While you need softened butter for creaming with the sugars, using cold butter that’s been cubed and then softened slightly will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much. Let it sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading and ensuring they hold their shape during baking. Don’t skip this step!
* **Use a Variety of Apples:** For a more complex flavor, try using a mix of different apple varieties. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith are all good choices.
* **Cool the Filling Completely:** Make sure the apple pie filling is completely cool before using it to fill the cookies. Warm filling can make the cookies soggy.
* **Adjust Baking Time:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the cookies and adjust the baking time as needed. The edges should be golden brown, and the filling should be bubbly.
* **Use High-Quality Caramel:** The quality of the caramel will affect the flavor of the cookies. Use a good-quality caramel candy for the best results. Werther’s Original or Ghirardelli caramels are excellent choices.
* **Melt Caramel Carefully:** When melting the caramel, be sure to microwave it in short intervals and stir frequently to prevent it from burning.
* **Store Properly:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Variations and Substitutions

* **Different Apples:** Experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite flavor combination. Granny Smith apples will add a tartness, while Honeycrisp apples offer a sweet and crisp bite.
* **Spices:** Adjust the spices to your liking. Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for a warmer flavor.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough or sprinkle them on top of the caramel for a crunchy texture.
* **Oats:** Substitute some of the flour with rolled oats for a chewier cookie texture.
* **Salted Caramel:** Use salted caramel candies for a richer, more complex flavor.
* **Sugar-Free Option:** Use sugar-free caramel candies and a sugar substitute in the cookie dough and apple filling to make a sugar-free version.
* **Gluten-Free Option:** Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour to make gluten-free cookies. Ensure the baking soda is also gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

* **With a Glass of Milk:** Enjoy these cookies with a cold glass of milk for a classic combination.
* **With Coffee or Tea:** These cookies are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea.
* **As a Dessert:** Serve them as a dessert at your next gathering or party.
* **As a Gift:** Package them in a cute box or bag and give them as a gift to friends and family.
* **Warm with Ice Cream:** Gently warm a cookie and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Freezer:** For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Caramel Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

**Yields:** About 24 cookies
**Prep time:** 45 minutes
**Chill time:** 30 minutes
**Cook time:** 12-15 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* **Cookie Dough:**
* 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon salt
* **Apple Pie Filling:**
* 4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons water
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to prevent browning)
* **Caramel Topping:**
* 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
* 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
* Optional: Sea salt flakes, for sprinkling

**Instructions:**

1. **Make the Cookie Dough:**
* In a large mixing bowl, 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 until well combined.
* In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
* Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2. **Prepare the Apple Pie Filling:**
* In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat the apples evenly. Add the lemon juice if using.
* In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the filling has thickened slightly (8-10 minutes).
* Remove the apple filling from the heat and let it cool completely before using.
3. **Assemble and Bake the Cookies:**
* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
* Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out rounded tablespoons of cookie dough. Roll each scoop into a ball and flatten slightly.
* Use your thumb or a small spoon to create a well in the center of each cookie dough ball, making sure not to go all the way through to the bottom.
* Spoon a generous amount of the cooled apple pie filling into the well of each cookie.
* Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking.
* Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
4. **Make the Caramel Topping:**
* In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the unwrapped caramel candies and milk or heavy cream.
* Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel is completely melted and smooth.
* Drizzle the melted caramel over the tops of the cooled cookies.
* Sprinkle with sea salt flakes, if desired.
* Allow the caramel to set completely before serving or storing the cookies.

Enjoy your homemade Caramel Apple Pie Cookies! They’re sure to be a hit with everyone.

Conclusion

These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the flavors of fall. They’re easy to make, portable, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re baking them for a party, a gift, or just a cozy night in, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face. So grab your ingredients and get baking! You won’t regret it.