Description
These Caramel-Drizzled Apple Cinnamon Cookies combine tender, spiced apple-infused dough with a luscious caramel drizzle for a delightful autumn-inspired treat. Soft and chewy with a hint of cinnamon and sweet apple chunks, these cookies are perfect for cozy afternoons or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins & Toppings
- 1 cup diced apple (about 1 medium apple, peeled and cored)
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional, for a thinner drizzle)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, gently stirring until just combined. Carefully fold in the diced apples to evenly distribute them without overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Chilling helps firm the dough and minimizes spreading during baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add the Caramel Drizzle: In a small bowl, mix the caramel sauce with heavy cream if you prefer a thinner drizzle. Drizzle this over the cooled cookies for a sweet finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor in the cookies.
- For a homemade caramel sauce, you can melt sugar with butter and cream until golden and smooth.
- Chilling the dough is key to preventing the cookies from spreading too much and keeping them thick and chewy.
- The optional heavy cream thins the caramel sauce to make drizzling easier and less sticky.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze baked cookies for longer storage.
