CARAMEL APPLE COOKIES

$- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 cup diced apples (preferably Granny Smith) - 1/2 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramel candy - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) When I make caramel apple cookies, I love the mix of sweet and tart flavors. The butter gives these cookies a rich taste. Brown sugar adds depth, while granulated sugar makes them sweet. Eggs help bind everything together, giving the cookies a nice texture. The dry ingredients are just as important. All-purpose flour gives structure, while baking soda makes them rise. Salt balances out the sweetness, and cinnamon adds warmth. Now, let's talk about the mix-ins. Diced apples bring freshness and a little crunch. I prefer Granny Smith apples for their tartness. Caramel bits melt into gooey pockets of sweetness. If you like nuts, add walnuts or pecans for extra crunch. This blend of ingredients creates a cookie that is chewy and full of flavor. You can find the full recipe above for all the steps to make these delicious treats. - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) - Line baking sheets with parchment paper Start by preheating your oven. This step helps the cookies bake evenly. Next, take your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy. - Cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar - Beat in eggs and vanilla extract - Combine dry ingredients and mix with wet ingredients In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until it’s smooth and fluffy. Then, add the eggs, one at a time, along with the vanilla extract. Beat well. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. - Fold in diced apples, caramel bits, and nuts - Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets Now, fold in the diced apples, caramel bits, and nuts if you choose to add them. This step adds great texture and flavor. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop mounds of dough onto your lined baking sheets. Be sure to space them about 2 inches apart. - Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden - Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes - Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely Place the baking sheets in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn golden brown. Once done, let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the sweet aroma filling your kitchen as they cool! To get the best texture, start with softened butter. This helps mix the butter well with the sugars. It makes the cookies light and fluffy. Remember, do not overmix the dough. Overmixing can make your cookies tough. Mix until the ingredients just blend together. A pinch of sea salt before baking makes a big difference. It balances the sweetness and brings out the apple flavor. You can also experiment with different apple types. Try using Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a sweeter taste. Each variety adds a unique twist to your cookies. Drizzle your cookies with extra caramel sauce for a special touch. It not only adds sweetness but also looks great. For serving, use seasonal decorations. Fresh apple slices or autumn leaves make a beautiful presentation. Your cookies will look as good as they taste! For the full recipe of these delightful treats, don’t forget to check the Full Recipe section. {{image_2}} You can easily change the taste of your caramel apple cookies. One fun way is to swap caramel bits for chocolate chips. This adds a rich, sweet flavor that pairs well with apples. You can also add spices like nutmeg or ginger to the mix. These spices bring warmth and depth to the cookies, making them even more delightful. If you need to make dietary changes, it's simple. You can make the cookies gluten-free by using alternative flour such as almond or coconut flour. This will help those with gluten sensitivities enjoy the treat too. For a vegan version, substitute vegan butter and eggs. There are many great egg replacements, like flaxseed or applesauce. Mix-ins can elevate your cookies to new heights. You can include dried cranberries or raisins for a fruity twist. These add a nice chewiness and a pop of color. Another idea is to try different nuts, like almonds or pecans. Chopped nuts give a nice crunch and enhance the overall flavor. Explore these variations to find your favorite combination. Each change offers a new way to enjoy these tasty caramel apple cookies. You can find the full recipe above to get started! To keep your caramel apple cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This method retains their chewy texture and rich flavor. If you want them to last longer, place the container in the fridge. This can extend their shelf life by a few days. If you want to bake later, freeze the unbaked cookie dough. Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then wrap the dough balls in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. For baked cookies, wrap them well in plastic and place them in a freezer bag for easy storage. This way, you can enjoy freshly baked cookies anytime. If your cookies become stale, you can easily bring them back to life. To restore freshness, reheat them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This will help them regain their soft texture. Alternatively, you can microwave a cookie for 10-15 seconds. This quick method gives you a warm and gooey treat, just like fresh out of the oven. To make your cookies chewier, use more brown sugar. Brown sugar has more moisture than white sugar. You can also add an extra egg yolk to the dough. This gives the cookies a rich, chewy texture. Yes, you can use store-bought caramel. Melt it in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, drizzle it into the cookie dough. This method gives a smooth caramel flavor. Just be careful not to burn it while melting. Granny Smith apples are great for baking. They are tart and hold their shape well. Honeycrisp apples are also a good choice. They add a sweet flavor and nice crunch to the cookies. These cookies can last up to a week. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for about two weeks this way. To reduce sweetness, cut back on the sugars. Try using only 1/2 cup of brown sugar. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. This will help tone down the sweetness without losing taste. For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions above. You’ve learned how to bake delicious cookies with apples and caramel. I shared the best ingredients and step-by-step instructions to make the process easy. Remember to keep your butter soft and not to overmix for better texture. Explore different flavors and variations to suit your taste. Storing and refreshing your cookies can keep them tasty longer. Now, enjoy baking these treats and sharing them with friends and family!$

Indulge in the deliciousness of these Sweet & Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies! With the perfect blend of soft apples, rich caramel, and a hint of cinnamon, these cookies are sure to satisfy your cravings. They're super easy to make and perfect for sharing. Don't miss out on this delightful treat! Click through now to explore the full recipe and make your kitchen smell heavenly with these sweet delights!

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Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup diced apples (preferably Granny Smith)

1/2 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramel candy

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract until well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.

Gently fold in the diced apples, caramel bits, and chopped nuts if using, until evenly distributed in the dough.

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop tablespoon-sized mounds of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: About 24 cookies

- Presentation Tips: Arrange the cookies on a delightful serving plate and drizzle them with an extra touch of caramel sauce. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt to enhance flavor and serve with slices of fresh apple on the side for a beautiful contrast.