Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies: A Delightful Treat from Your Kitchen
When the leaves start to turn shades of orange and gold, there’s an irresistible craving for warm, comforting desserts. This is where the Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies come into play. Combining the nostalgic flavors of apple pie with the irresistible sweetness of salted caramel, these cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite. Whether for a cozy family gathering or a festive celebration, this recipe brings happiness with every bite.
Ingredients
To make these mouthwatering cookies, you will need the following 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 cider (note that 1 tsp of lemon juice can be used as a substitute)
- 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
- 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
Instructions
To create these delicious cookies, follow these steps:
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 combined, about 1 minute. Incorporate the vanilla and eggs, mixing until just combined. Finally, add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Make the Apple Filling: After rinsing and peeling the apples, dice them into bite-size chunks. Combine all apple filling ingredients in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples reach your desired tenderness. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl to cool.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce: Follow a 10-minute caramel sauce recipe (or use your favorite method). Let it cool at room temperature until it thickens, typically around 20 minutes.
Scoop & Chill the Dough: Scoop dough into 65-gram balls using a large cookie scoop. Place them in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Make the Crumble: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, melt remaining butter and stir in the streusel ingredients until crumbly. Spread on a parchment-lined pan, baking for 12-14 minutes until deeply golden.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 365°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix sugar and spices for coating. Roll dough balls in the mixture, placing 6 cookies per sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set.
Assemble Cookies: Once cookies cool slightly, use the back of a tablespoon to make an indent in the centers. Spoon in the apple pie filling, sprinkle crumble on top, and drizzle with salted caramel before serving.
Benefits of This Craft
Baking Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies is more than just creating a delightful dessert. It provides an opportunity to engage with family and friends, fostering a sense of community. Baking can be therapeutic, allowing you to express creativity and relieve stress. Furthermore, these cookies can be adjusted to include healthier ingredients, catering to various dietary preferences while still delivering flavor. The seasonal flavors also reinforce a connection to autumn traditions, making it a heartwarming experience.
Tips for Perfect Cookies
To ensure these cookies turn out perfectly, consider the following tips:
- Always measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.
- Chill the dough sufficiently to allow flavors to meld and make it easier to handle.
- For added texture, mix and match different types of apples for the filling; sweeter varieties can balance well with tart options.
- When making the crumble, be cautious not to burn it; keep a close eye during baking.
What Does It Taste Like?
These cookies combine the warmth of spiced apple pie filling with a buttery and slightly chewy cookie base. The crumble on top adds a satisfying crunch, while the salted caramel provides a rich yet balanced sweetness, making every bite a delightful sensory experience. The mix of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg complements the sweet apples perfectly, creating a comforting dessert that evokes memories of family gatherings and cozy fall afternoons.
How to Store
Store your Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Keeping them refrigerated helps maintain freshness, especially due to the apple filling. If you plan to store them longer, consider freezing them without the caramel for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and serve with a fresh drizzle of caramel sauce.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies are a quintessential fall treat that blends the beloved flavors of apple pie with the fun and ease of cookie preparation. With simple ingredients and clear instructions, this recipe is approachable for bakers of all skill levels. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or shared with loved ones, these cookies promise a delightful taste of autumn that everyone will cherish.
FAQ
Can I use different types of apples?
Absolutely! Mixing sweet and tart apple varieties enhances the flavor profile of the filling.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to one month. Just thaw them in the fridge when you’re ready to bake.
What if I don’t have salted butter?
You can use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt to your recipe for a similar effect.
How do I make the cookies gluten-free?
Substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend can work, but make sure the blend you choose is suitable for baking.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, both the dough and the apple filling can be made up to 2 days in advance, and the cookies can be baked fresh when needed.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 90 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful treat combining the nostalgic flavors of apple pie with the sweetness of salted caramel, perfect for autumn gatherings.
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)
- 1/4 cup salted butter, cubed (4 tbsp)
- 2 tbsp apple cider
- 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
- 6 tbsp salted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
- 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
Instructions
- 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 combined. Incorporate the vanilla and eggs, mixing until just combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Make the Apple Filling: Dice the apples and combine all filling ingredients in a medium pan. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes until apples reach desired tenderness. Let cool.
- Make the Salted Caramel Sauce: Follow a 10-minute caramel sauce recipe and let it cool at room temperature until it thickens.
- Scoop & Chill the Dough: Scoop dough into 65-gram balls, place in an airtight container, and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
- Make the Crumble: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt remaining butter and stir in streusel ingredients until crumbly. Spread on a parchment-lined pan and bake for 12-14 minutes until golden.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 365°F. Roll dough balls in a sugar and spice mixture, place on cookie sheets, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set.
- Assemble Cookies: After cooling slightly, make an indent in cookie centers, spoon in the apple pie filling, sprinkle crumble on top, and drizzle with salted caramel before serving.
Notes
For the best results, chill the dough sufficiently and consider using a mix of apple varieties for the filling.