Caramel Apple Cookies

Published September 9, 2014. Updated August 17, 2017

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A soft, deliciously spiced cookie that tastes just like a caramel apple? Yes please! If you like caramel apples then you will love these cookies! They are loaded with Granny Smith apples (the traditional apple of choice for the real deal) and I also tossed those apples with lemon to enhance the slight tartness (so it doesn’t just fade away entirely once baked into the cookies). They have the perfect amount of cinnamon and nutmeg, just enough to highlight the cookie without overpowering and they are laced with the delicious flavor of brown sugar (both in the frosting and the cookie) to mimic the rich, toffee-like flavor of caramel. And these are finished with pecans both to add a contrasting light crunch and because they are such a great topping choice on a real caramel apple.

Caramel Apple Cookies | Cooking Classy

It’s always fun to try new cookie recipes and you can never have enough, especially when it comes to one like this that is just pure deliciousness! Caramel apple + cookie, yes you really need them :). Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Cookies | Cooking Classy

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5 from 5 votes

Caramel Apple Cookies

Soft cake-like cookies with a delicious addition of sweet apples and finishing tough of a rich caramel frosting.
Servings: 36
Prep25 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Ready in: 55 minutes

Ingredients

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp apple juice concentrate
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • Maldon salt for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  • For the cookies:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg for 20 seconds, set aside. In a separate bowl, toss shredded apple with lemon juice, set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend together butter and brown sugar until creamy (if not using a paddle attachment that constantly scrapes bowl, then occasionally stop mixer throughout entire mixing process and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl).
  • For the frosting:
  • Mix in egg and vanilla extract. Mix in half of the flour mixture, then with mixer running on low speed, slowly add in apple juice concentrate, then mix in remaining half of the flour mixture. Fold in shredded apples (and the juices with apples).
  • Scoop dough out with a medium 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop and drop onto Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 11 - 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a small saucepan combine brown sugar, butter, apple juice concentrate and salt. Heat mixture over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
  • Spread over cookies (I recommend a fairly thin layer as this frosting is very sweet), and immediately sprinkle with pecans and Maldon (if using. The frosting will set quickly so don't wait to add toppings).
  • As frosting cools it will thicken, so add 1/2 tsp warm water at a time to thin as needed for a more spreadable consistency. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Caramel Apple Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 155 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 74mg3%
Potassium 76mg2%
Carbohydrates 26g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 20g22%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 143IU3%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Caramel Apple Cookies | Cooking Classy Caramel Apple Cookies | Cooking Classy Caramel Apple Cookies | Cooking Classy

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54 Comments

  • Dawn Roberto

    Made these for the first time and my lord, they are so good. I did use fresh apple cider instead of the concentrate which worked just fine and didn’t do the frosting as we don’t like very sweet frostings here. I will definitely make these again.

  • Natasha

    I’d like to make these for an upcoming event. To save time, can I prepared the dough ahead of time and freeze it? If so do I thaw dough overnight in the refrigerator or bake from frozen for a few extra minutes?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Unfortunately I haven’t tried freezing this dough so I couldn’t say for sure. I’m guessing the dough may not freeze well but baked unfrosted cookies should with parchment paper between them.

  • Maya V. Garrett

    HOLY MOLY this recipe is magic!! It’s so delicious! I made it for a youth activity and everyone loves them! So delicious and I will definitely make them again! Not too sweet also, the apples balance it out!

  • Sharon

    Yum! Looking forward to trying this recipe! Do you have any suggestions as to a replacement for apple juice concentrate? You can’t buy it in Australia :(

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You could just use regular Apple juice the apple flavor just won’t be quite as noticeable.

    • Janeil

      Any update as to whether the caramel apple cookies freeze well? Could frost after they thaw