Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

why make this recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies combine the best of two worlds: the deliciousness of apple pie and the convenience of cookies. They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, a holiday celebration, or just a cozy day at home. The blend of spiced apples, crumbly topping, and rich salted caramel brings comfort and joy in every bite. Plus, they look so cute on a plate, making them a delightful treat to share!

how to make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

Ingredients

• For the Cookie Dough:

  • 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

• For the Apple Filling:

  • 4 large apples, peeled and diced (775 grams or 27 ounces of diced apples)
  • 1/4 cup salted butter, cubed (4 tbsp)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider (or 1 tsp lemon juice if you don’t have cider)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar (206 grams)
  • 6 tbsp salted butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt (like Maldon)

• For the Crumble:

  • 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

Directions

1. Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter using an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Add the granulated and brown sugars, mixing until well combined. Then, add the vanilla and eggs, mixing until just blended. Finally, add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Chill the dough for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll into balls.

2. Make the Apple Filling: Rinse and peel your apples, then dice them into bite-sized pieces. Add all the apple filling ingredients to a medium pan over medium-high heat. Cook for about 15 to 18 minutes, stirring regularly. Taste around the 15-minute mark and cook longer if needed. Transfer the apple mixture to a bowl to cool.

3. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce: Follow an easy 10-minute recipe for salted caramel sauce and let it cool for about 20 minutes until thickened.

4. Scoop & Chill the Dough: Scoop the dough into 65-gram balls with a large cookie scoop. Place them in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or 2 hours in the freezer).

5. Make the Crumble: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt the butter in a bowl. Stir in the remaining crumble ingredients until you have a crumbly mixture. Spread it on a parchment-lined pan and bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool.

6. Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and spices for coating. Roll the cookie dough balls in this mixture and place about six on each sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are soft. Press an indent in the center with a spoon as they cool.

7. Assemble Cookies: Spoon the apple filling into the cooled cookies, sprinkle with the crumble, and drizzle with salted caramel sauce.

8. Serve & Store: Enjoy immediately! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 4-5 days.

how to serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

Serve the cookies warm or at room temperature. They are perfect on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Drizzle more salted caramel over the top for an indulgent experience!

how to store Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

Keep the assembled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last around 4-5 days. If you want to store the cookie dough separately, it can be frozen for up to a month.

tips to make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

• For softer cookies, avoid overbaking. They will continue to cook when cooling.
• Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor.
• If you have extra salted caramel sauce, it can also be used as a topping for ice cream or pancakes.

variation

You can add nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crumble for added texture. If you prefer, these cookies can also be made without the caramel sauce for a simpler treat.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can ball the dough and freeze it for about a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

2. Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of making my own?
Yes, you can use canned apple pie filling for a quicker version, but making your own is worth the effort for fresh flavor!

3. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The edges should appear set, and the centers will look slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

These delightful cookies combine the comforting flavors of apple pie with a sweet and salty caramel kick, all in a convenient, bite-sized form.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 12 cookies

Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

• small saucepan
• medium bowl
• large bowl
• whisk
• baking sheet
• parchment paper
• wire rack

Ingredients

  

For the Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Filling

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Salted Caramel Drizzle

• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

 

Prepare the Apple Filling

• In a small saucepan, combine diced apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until apples are softened.
• Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Make the Cookie Dough

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Assemble and Bake

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, then flatten lightly.
• Place a small spoonful of cooled apple filling in the center of each flattened cookie.
• Top with another spoonful of cookie dough, gently pressing the edges to seal the filling.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
• Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Salted Caramel Drizzle

• In a small bowl, whisk together caramel sauce and sea salt.
• Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle with the salted caramel sauce.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the apple filling. Ensure the apple filling is completely cool before adding it to the cookie dough to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.