Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies evoke warmth and nostalgia with their delightful combination of buttery cookie dough, spiced apple filling, and luscious salted caramel drizzle. These treats are not just cookies; they are a comforting reminder of family gatherings and cozy fall evenings. The scrumptious flavor profile and gooey texture make these cookies an irresistible treat to bake. This step-by-step recipe will guide you through creating these delicious cookies that are perfect for any occasion, from a simple afternoon snack to a festive dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened at room temperature (226 grams)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled (390 grams)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 and 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 4 large apples, peeled and diced (775 grams or 27 ounces of diced apple)
- 1/4 cup salted butter, cubed (4 tbsp)
- 2 tbsp apple cider (or 1 tsp of lemon juice if you don’t have cider – not apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup granulated sugar (206 grams)
- 6 tbsp salted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream
- Pinch of flaky sea salt (Maldon brand recommended)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 and 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 and 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
These ingredients combine creamy, spicy, sweet, and salty elements, creating a truly indulgent dessert.
Step-by-Step Directions
Make the Cookie Dough
Start by creaming the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl. When the butter is fluffy, add in the granulated and light brown sugars, mixing until well combined. This should take about a minute. Add in the vanilla extract and eggs, mixing just until everything is blended. Next, carefully incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. A crucial step is to chill the dough for 30 minutes; this will make rolling it into balls much easier.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can ball the dough and freeze it for up to a month. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking!
Make the Apple Filling
While the dough is chilling, take the time to prepare the apple filling. Start by rinsing and peeling the apples, then dicing them into bite-sized chunks. Place the diced apples in a medium pan over medium-high heat along with the cubed butter, apple cider, brown sugar, and spices. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, gently stirring throughout, until the apples reach your desired tenderness. Once they’re cooked, transfer the apple mixture to a medium bowl and allow it to cool, either at room temperature or in the fridge.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare this filling up to two days in advance and store it in a jar in the fridge.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
Now it’s time to make the pièce de résistance: the salted caramel sauce. You can follow my easy, 10-minute recipe linked in the blue text above. After making it, let the sauce cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes until it thickens.
Make-Ahead Tip: This sauce can be stored in a jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Scoop & Chill the Dough
Once your dough is ready, scoop it into balls weighing about 65 grams using a large cookie scoop. Place these dough balls in an airtight container to chill in the fridge for at least four hours, two hours if you’re using the freezer, or you can keep them chilled in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Just be sure to scoop them into balls before chilling, as this makes it significantly easier for baking later.
Make the Crumble
While your dough is chilling, prepare the crumble. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium-sized mixing bowl, melt the butter and then stir in the remaining crumble ingredients, creating a crumbly mixture. Spread this mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 12-14 minutes until it turns a deep golden brown. Set aside to cool, breaking it into smaller pieces if desired.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare this crumble 1-2 days in advance, storing it in a container at room temperature or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Bake the Cookies
As you near the end of your preparations, it’s time to bake your cookies. Preheat the oven to 365°F (185°C) and line multiple cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. In a small bowl, stir together sugar and spices for coating the cookies. Roll each dough ball in this cinnamon-sugar mixture before placing about six cookies on each sheet, ensuring there’s ample space for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes; the edges should appear set while the centers remain slightly puffy and underdone. Once baked, allow them to rest on the cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes before using the back of a tablespoon to create an indent in the centers.
Assemble Cookies
Now comes the fun part! Carefully spoon the cooled apple pie filling into the centers of each cookie, then sprinkle the crumble on top. Drizzle the cookies with the salted caramel sauce for an added layer of sweetness.
Serve & Store
These cookies are best enjoyed immediately after assembly! However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. I advise against leaving them at room temperature overnight due to the fresh fruit.
Tips & Tricks
- For an extra touch, feel free to add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the caramel drizzle.
- Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for smoother incorporation into the dough.
- Experiment with different apple varieties for unique flavors in your filling.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These cookies are delightful on their own but are also perfect when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside warm apple cider. They make an excellent addition to holiday gatherings or cozy weekend bake-offs.
Nutritional Information
Each cookie contains approximately 250 calories, with essential nutrients coming from its ingredients. Balance these treat-filled days with plenty of fruits and vegetables in your meals.
Storing Tips & Variations
Store leftover cookies in the fridge; they maintain freshness for about 4-5 days. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls. Thaw them in the fridge before baking for fresh cookies any time. For variations, substitute pears for apples or add nuts to the crumble for added texture.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies are a delicious blend of flavors, perfect for sharing with friends and family. I encourage you to give this recipe a try; it’s sure to become a beloved family favorite.
FAQs
-
Can I use different types of apples?
Absolutely! Mixing tart and sweet apples will enhance the flavor. -
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and freeze it. Make sure to thaw before baking. -
What’s the best way to reheat the cookies?
Gently warm them in the oven or microwave for a few seconds, just until they’re a bit soft. -
Can I omit the caramel?
While the caramel adds a wonderful sweetness, you can certainly make the cookies without it. -
Are these cookies suitable for freezing?
Yes! Both the dough balls and the baked cookies can be frozen for later enjoyment.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl.
- Add the granulated and light brown sugars, mixing until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and eggs, mixing just until everything is blended.
- Carefully incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Rinse and peel the apples, then dice them into bite-sized chunks.
- Place diced apples in a medium pan over medium-high heat along with the cubed butter, apple cider, brown sugar, and spices.
- Cook for 15 to 18 minutes until the apples reach your desired tenderness.
- Transfer the apple mixture to a medium bowl and allow it to cool.
- Follow an easy recipe for salted caramel sauce and let it cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- Scoop the dough into balls weighing about 65 grams using a large cookie scoop.
- Chill in the fridge for at least four hours or two hours in the freezer.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Melt the butter and stir in the remaining crumble ingredients to create a crumbly mixture.
- Spread this mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 12-14 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Preheat the oven to 365°F (185°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Stir together sugar and spices for coating the cookies.
- Roll each dough ball in this cinnamon-sugar mixture and place on the sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, allowing them to rest before creating an indent in the centers.
- Spoon the cooled apple pie filling into the centers of each cookie.
- Sprinkle the crumble on top and drizzle with salted caramel sauce.
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