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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

Delightful cookies filled with tender spiced apple filling and rich salted caramel, perfect for fall gatherings.
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Baked Goods
Calories: 270

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup salted butter (softened at room temperature) This creamy butter serves as the base.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar Sweet and fine, it caramelizes beautifully.
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed) Adds a deep, molasses-like flavor.
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract Brings warmth to the mix.
  • 2 large eggs Binding agents for cookie structure.
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled) Forms the main body of the cookies.
  • 1 tsp baking soda Leavening agent.
  • 1 tsp baking powder Leavening agent.
  • 1/4 tsp salt balances sweetness.
  • 1.25 tsp cinnamon Adds cozy warmth.
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg Adds cozy warmth.
  • 1/4 tsp allspice Adds cozy warmth.
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves Adds cozy warmth.
For the Apple Filling
  • 4 large apples (peeled and diced) The star of our filling.
  • 1/4 cup salted butter (cubed) Enhances the sautéed apples.
  • 2 tbsp apple cider Adds sweet-tart brightness.
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed) For decadent filling.
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon More spices for filling.
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg More spices for filling.
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves More spices for filling.
For the Salted Caramel Sauce
  • 1 cup granulated sugar Essential for caramel.
  • 6 tbsp salted butter (cubed) Essential for caramel.
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream Essential for caramel.
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt Enhances flavor.
For the Crumble
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar Essential for crumble.
  • 2.75 tsp cinnamon Adds flavor.
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg Adds flavor.
  • 1/8 tsp allspice Adds flavor.
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves Adds flavor.
  • 1/4 cup salted butter (melted) Essential for crumble.
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed) Adds depth to crumble.
  • 1.5 tbsp granulated sugar Adds sweetness.
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour Base for crumble.
  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon Adds flavor.
  • 1 pinch salt Balances sweetness.

Method
 

Make the Cookie Dough
  1. Cream the softened butter in a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium-high speed.
  2. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar, mixing until well combined—about 1 minute.
  3. Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs until just incorporated.
  4. Add the dry ingredients and blend until a dough forms.
  5. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Make the Apple Filling
  1. Rinse and peel the apples, then dice them into bite-sized chunks.
  2. In a medium pan over medium-high heat, combine all the apple filling ingredients.
  3. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Transfer the apple mixture to a bowl to cool.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
  1. Follow your salted caramel recipe and allow it to cool.
Scoop & Chill the Dough
  1. Use a large cookie scoop to divide dough into 65 grams size balls.
  2. Place these in an airtight container to chill.
Make the Crumble
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Melt your butter in a medium mixing bowl.
  3. Stir in remaining streusel ingredients to get a crumbly texture.
  4. Spread onto a parchment-lined pan and bake for 12-14 minutes.
Bake the Cookies
  1. Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Mix sugar with spices for coating.
  3. Roll dough balls in cinnamon-sugar mix and place on baking sheets.
  4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set.
  5. Let them rest on the cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes and create indents in the centers.
Assemble Cookies
  1. Spoon the apple pie filling into the indented centers.
  2. Sprinkle on the crumble, and drizzle over the salted caramel sauce.

Notes

For a delightful twist, consider using a variety of apples such as Granny Smith and Fuji. Experimenting with different spices can also personalize the flavor.