These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies are the ultimate treat for fall! 🍏🍂 With warm, spiced apple filling nestled between soft, buttery cookies and drizzled with rich salted caramel, every bite brings joy. Perfect for cozy gatherings or a sweet afternoon snack, they are a delightful twist on traditional apple pie, wrapped in cookie form! Easy to make, these cookies will have you and your guests coming back for seconds (or thirds!). Get ready to impress with this simple yet delicious recipe that fills your kitchen with comforting aromas and smiles.
why make this recipe
These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies combine the best of classic apple pie and soft, chewy cookies. They are perfect for sharing with family and friends during holiday gatherings or enjoying on a weekend afternoon. The airy texture and sweet apple filling topped with salted caramel make each cookie an irresistible delight. Plus, they’re simple enough for beginner bakers, making it fun for everyone to get involved in the kitchen.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Total Time: 3-4 hours (includes chilling)
Servings: About 24 cookies
how to make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
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 juice (or 1 tsp lemon juice)
- 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 is great!)
- 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
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
"This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free."
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Baking dish (if needed)
Directions:
Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Add the sugars and mix until smoothly combined, about 1 minute. Add vanilla and eggs, mixing until just combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Chill for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll into balls.
Make-Ahead Tip: Dough can be balled and frozen for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Make the Apple Filling: Rinse and peel your apples. Dice them into bite-sized chunks. Add all the filling ingredients to a medium pan over medium-high heat. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring gently. Taste around 15 minutes and continue cooking until desired tenderness. Transfer to a medium bowl to cool (either at room temperature or in the fridge).
Make-Ahead Tip: This can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in a jar in the fridge.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce: Prepare a simple salted caramel sauce and let it cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
Make-Ahead Tip: This can be made ahead and stored in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Scoop & Chill the Dough: Scoop dough into 65-gram balls using a large cookie scoop. Place these in an airtight container to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or 2 hours in the freezer).
Tip: If you chill the dough solid first, scooping will be harder!
Make the Crumble: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt the butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the other crumble ingredients until crumbly. Spread on a parchment-lined pan and bake for 12-14 minutes until deep golden brown. Allow to cool, and break into smaller pieces if desired.
Make-Ahead Tip: This can be made 1-2 days ahead. Store at room temperature or freeze for 1-2 months.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 365°F (185°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix sugar and spices for coating. Roll the dough balls in this mixture. Place about 6 cookies on each sheet, leaving space for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should feel set; centers can be a bit underdone. Let cool for 1-2 minutes on the sheet before pressing down gently in the centers. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Assemble Cookies: Spoon apple pie filling into the cooled cookies, add the crumble, and drizzle with salted caramel sauce.
Serve & Store: Enjoy your delicious cookies immediately! Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Avoid leaving them at room temperature overnight due to the fresh fruit. 🍏🍪
how to serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
Serve these cookies warm or at room temperature for a delightful sweet treat! Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
how to store Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
Keep your cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up when you’re ready to enjoy.
💡 Pro Tips:
- For an extra touch, serve the cookies with whipped cream or ice cream on top!
- Try different apples for varying sweetness and flavor—Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work great!
- You can skip the salted caramel if you want a lighter option—these cookies are tasty on their own too!
- Don’t rush the cooling and chilling steps for the best texture.
variation
For a nutty twist, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the apple filling. You can also substitute the salted caramel sauce with a drizzle of honey for a lighter dessert option.
FAQs
1. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
2. What if I don’t have salted butter?
You can use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt to the recipe to balance the flavors.
3. How can I make the caramel sauce thicker?
Allow the sauce to cool more, as it thickens upon cooling. You can also cook it slightly longer to achieve your desired consistency.
Enjoy making and devouring these delightful Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies! 🍏✨
