Description
Soft, chewy cookies packed with gooey caramel and juicy apple bits, wrapped in a cozy, spiced dough. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering, these cookies deliver nostalgic caramel apple flavor in an easy-to-eat treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups peeled, finely diced apple (about 2 medium apples, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 cup soft caramel candies, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel and finely dice apples. Toss with lemon juice in a small bowl to prevent browning. Set aside.
- Cut soft caramel candies into small, pea-sized pieces. Chill for 10 minutes if sticky.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in diced apples, chopped caramels, and nuts (if using). If dough is too soft, chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly.
- Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers look set but soft.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chill dough for 30 minutes to prevent spreading, especially with juicy apples. Dice caramels small for even melting. Use parchment paper for easy cleanup. Cookies may look underdone in the center when removed from the oven but will set as they cool. For gluten-free or vegan adaptations, see ingredient notes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: caramel apple cookies, Thanksgiving dessert, autumn cookies, easy cookie recipe, caramel cookies, apple cookies, holiday baking, chewy cookies, spiced cookies