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4.5 from 12 votes

Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe

Skip the fancy bakery! These easy, homemade Caramel Apple Cookies are bursting with fall flavors - soft apple dough and a decadent caramel swirl.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Chiling Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 526 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
FOR ICING
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add 3/4 cup butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
  2. Mix apple butter, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, baking powder and flour.
  3. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 1 hour.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Scoop cookie dough and roll it into balls using your hands, using about two tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Put them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet and flatten them with your fingers or a drinking glass.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges start to brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then put them on a wire rack.
  7. Make the frosting. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, mix in the 6 tablespoons of butter, heavy cream, and 1 cup brown sugar. Stir nonstop until boiling.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and add the vanilla extract and 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Whisk until there are no lumps.
  9. Let the caramel mixture cool to room temperature, and then add the last 1 cup of powdered sugar.
  10. Scoop the icing into a zip-lock bag or pastry bag. Pipe the icing in a swirl on top of the cookies.
  11. Let the caramel icing set for about 30 minutes.

Notes

  • U
  • se a cookie scoop or a measuring spoon to scoop the dough so the cookies are all about the same size.
  • Chill the dough for 1 hour before baking. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and creates a thicker, chewier cookie.
  • These cookies are best when slightly underbaked and still soft in the center. Watch them in the oven and remove them when the edges start turning golden brown.
  • If you can't find apple butter, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • Use a cookie scoop or a measuring spoon to scoop the dough so the cookies are all about the same size.
  • Chill the dough for 1 hour before baking. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and creates a thicker, chewier cookie.
  • These cookies are best when slightly underbaked and still soft in the center. Watch them in the oven and remove them when the edges start turning golden brown.
  • If you can't find apple butter, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce, but the flavor will be less intense.

Nutrition Information

Calories 526kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 82g (27%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 57mg (19%) Sodium 156mg (7%) Potassium 156mg (4%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 63g (126%) Vitamin A 677IU (14%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 69mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 526

% Daily Value*

Calories 526kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 82g 27%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 57mg 19%
Sodium 156mg 7%
Potassium 156mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 63g 126%
Vitamin A 677IU 14%
Vitamin C 0.1mg 0%
Calcium 69mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.