Salted Caramel Apple Cookies: Your New Fall Favorite

Salted Caramel Apple Cookies
Oh, the magic of autumn! Just one bite of these Salted Caramel Apple Cookies instantly transports me back to those crisp, golden afternoons where the air hums with the scent of woodsmoke and a whisper of cinnamon. There’s something truly magical about the combination of sweet, tender apples, luxurious caramel, and that delightful kiss of sea salt, all baked into a perfectly chewy cookie that simply melts in your mouth.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This recipe isn’t just about making a dessert; it’s about capturing that cozy, comforting feeling of the season in every single bite, a little taste of home. While I adore simple apple treats like our 3-ingredient healthy apple cookies for a quick fix, these Salted Caramel Apple Cookies elevate the experience, promising an irresistible aroma that will fill your kitchen and your heart. Ready to make some memories?
Dive into the full Salted Caramel Apple Cookies recipe and experience the magic for yourself!
Salted Caramel Apple Cookies: Your New Fall Favorite
Course: DessertsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalThese insanely yummy Salted Caramel Apple Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with tender apple pieces, gooey pockets of homemade caramel, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that perfect sweet-savory balance. They are an absolute fall baking dream!
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup finely diced Granny Smith apples (about 1 medium apple)
1/2 cup homemade or store-bought soft caramel candies, chopped (or 1/4 cup caramel sauce swirled in)
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the rolled oats, diced apples, and chopped caramel until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
- Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top of each cookie dough ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Apple Choice is Key: For the best flavor and texture in your Salted Caramel Apple Cookies, use a firm, slightly tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape beautifully and provide a lovely contrast to the sweet caramel, preventing your cookies from becoming too mushy or overly sweet.
- Achieving That Chewy Perfection: Don’t overbake! These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy. Pull them from the oven when the edges are set and golden but the centers still look a little underdone. They will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet, resulting in that delightful, tender chew we all love.
- Caramel Pockets: If using chopped caramel candies, make sure they are soft and of good quality. For extra gooeyness, you can press a few additional small pieces of caramel into the top of the dough balls right before baking. This creates incredible molten caramel pockets that melt beautifully.
