Description
Delight in the cozy flavors of fall with these Caramel Apple Cookies, featuring tender diced apples, sweet chewy caramel bits, warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices, and a touch of crunchy nuts. Perfectly soft and lightly spiced, these cookies combine classic apple dessert tastes with an irresistible caramel twist, making them a delicious treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Add-ins
- 1 cup peeled and finely diced apple (such as Granny Smith)
- 1/2 cup soft caramel bits or chopped soft caramels
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and the batter looks smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the finely diced apples, soft caramel bits, and chopped nuts if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheets: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the centers are set but still soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the apple is finely diced to help it cook thoroughly and blend well into the cookie texture.
- Use soft, baking-friendly caramel bits that melt smoothly without hardening inside the cookies for optimal chewiness.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness, or freeze them for extended storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
