Go Back
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 1/2 cups diced crisp apples (such as Granny Smith or Fuji) - 1 cup caramel bits or chopped caramel candies - Sea salt flakes for topping These ingredients come together to create a cookie that is both gooey and crisp. The butter adds richness, while the brown and granulated sugars bring sweetness. Eggs and vanilla extract enhance the flavor and texture. The all-purpose flour and baking soda provide structure. Diced apples give a fresh crunch, while caramel bits add a delightful gooeyness. For an extra touch, sea salt flakes can elevate the flavor. This recipe, found in the Full Recipe, balances these elements perfectly, making every bite a treat! First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step helps the cookies bake evenly. Next, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This will keep the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easy. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Mix until it’s smooth and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes. Now, add in 2 large eggs, one at a time. Then, pour in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This mix gives the cookies structure and flavor. Gradually add the dry mix to your wet ingredients. Stir until just combined; don’t overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. Now, carefully fold in 1 1/2 cups of diced crisp apples and 1 cup of caramel bits. Make sure they are evenly spread throughout the dough. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave space between each cookie to allow them to spread. Bake your cookies in the oven for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be golden, while the centers remain soft. Once the cookies are out of the oven, sprinkle a light pinch of sea salt flakes on top while they are still warm. This adds a nice touch of flavor. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your gooey caramel and crisp apple cookies! For the full recipe, refer to the earlier section. When making gooey caramel and crisp apple cookies, start with the right creaming technique. Cream your softened butter and sugars together until they become light and fluffy. This step adds air to the dough. Mix for about three minutes. Avoid over-mixing once you add the dry ingredients. Over-mixing can make cookies tough, which is not what you want. Just mix until you see no flour. Apples play a big part in this recipe. I recommend using Granny Smith or Fuji apples. These varieties give a nice crispness. They also balance the sweetness of the caramel. The right apple should have a firm texture and a tart flavor. This helps create a great contrast in your cookie. When it comes to caramel, you have options. You can use caramel bits or chopped candies. I prefer caramel bits for their ease and consistency. They melt smoothly and mix well into the dough. For a gooey texture, melt them gently. You can use a microwave or a double boiler. Just make sure they don’t burn. The goal is to blend them into your dough for that rich, gooey surprise in every bite. For the full recipe, check out the section above on ingredients and instructions. {{image_2}} You can easily adjust this recipe for different diets. For a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Make sure the blend has a good structure to hold the cookies together. If you want a vegan version, replace eggs with flax eggs. Use 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. Also, use plant-based butter instead of regular butter. To make the cookies even more exciting, consider adding nuts or chocolate chips. Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. If you love chocolate, mix in semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a rich flavor. You can also play with spices. Adding a pinch of nutmeg will give your cookies warmth and depth. Try mixing cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy taste. These cookies can change with the seasons. In fall, you can add pumpkin puree for a festive twist. Just reduce the butter by 1/4 cup when you add pumpkin. You can also swap the apples for pears in spring or summer. Pears will add a different sweetness and softness to each bite. For the full recipe, check out the details above. To keep your gooey caramel and crisp apple cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. I recommend placing a piece of parchment paper between layers of cookies. This keeps them soft and prevents sticking. You can freeze the cookie dough if you want to save some for later. To do this, scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. When you're ready to bake, you can thaw the dough in the fridge overnight. Bake straight from frozen; just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. These cookies stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, they may last up to two weeks. Signs of spoilage include a dry texture or an off smell. If you notice these signs, it's best to discard them. Enjoy them while they're fresh for the best taste! Yes, you can! Some great fruit options are pears, peaches, or even berries. These fruits add a nice twist. Just make sure to chop them into small pieces. This way, they mix well in the dough. Each fruit brings a unique flavor. Experiment to find your favorite! To get that chewy texture, use more brown sugar than white sugar. Brown sugar has more moisture. You can also add an extra egg yolk. This adds fat and helps keep cookies soft. Do not bake them too long. Pull them out while they are still soft in the middle. They will firm up as they cool. These cookies pair well with many treats! Try serving them warm with vanilla ice cream. A glass of cold milk is always a classic choice. If you want a drink, hot apple cider works great too. You can also sprinkle some nuts on top for extra crunch. Enjoy your gooey caramel and crisp apple cookies with your favorite sides! For the full recipe, see above. This guide covered all you need to bake delicious apple caramel cookies. We discussed key ingredients like butter, sugars, and apples. I shared step-by-step instructions to ensure your cookies come out perfect. You learned tips for mixing and the best apples to use. Variations allowed you to customize recipes for dietary needs and seasonal flavors. Now, get ready to enjoy tasty cookies that friends and family will love!

Gooey Caramel and Crisp Apple Cookies

Indulge in the perfect blend of flavors with these gooey caramel and crisp apple cookies! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create delicious cookies that are soft in the center and bursting with sweet apple and rich caramel. This easy recipe is perfect for any occasion! Click through to discover the full recipe and bake a batch that everyone will love!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups diced crisp apples (such as Granny Smith or Fuji)

1 cup caramel bits or chopped caramel candies

Sea salt flakes for topping (optional)

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

    Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

      Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.

        Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.

          Fold in Apples and Caramels: Carefully fold in the diced apples and caramel bits until evenly distributed in the cookie dough.

            Scoop the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

              Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft.

                Cool and Top: Once out of the oven, sprinkle a light pinch of sea salt flakes on top of each cookie while they're still warm. 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: 24 cookies