Description

A decadent fall dessert that combines soft, spiced cookies with tender apple pie filling, buttery crumble topping, and a drizzle of salted caramel. These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies bring together the best flavors of autumn in one indulgent bite, perfect for gatherings, bake sales, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough:

1 cup (226 g) salted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar, packed
1½ tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3 cups (390 g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp allspice
⅛ tsp ground cloves

Apple Filling:

4 large apples (about 775 g), peeled & diced
¼ cup (57 g) salted butter, cubed
2 tbsp apple cider (or 1 tsp lemon juice)
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
1½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves

Salted Caramel Sauce:

1 cup (206 g) granulated sugar
6 tbsp (85 g) salted butter, cubed
½ cup + 1 tbsp (135 ml) heavy cream
Pinch of sea salt

Crumble Topping:

3 tbsp melted butter
3 tbsp granulated sugar
3 tbsp brown sugar
½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
¼ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon

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Instructions

Make the Dough: Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla and eggs. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves; stir until a soft dough forms. Chill 30 minutes.
Cook the Apple Filling: Melt butter in a skillet. Add apples, apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Cook 15–18 minutes until tender. Cool completely.
Prepare the Caramel: Melt sugar over medium heat until amber. Whisk in butter, then cream. Add sea salt. Cool 20 minutes.
Shape and Chill: Scoop 65 g dough balls. Chill 4 hours or freeze 2 hours.
Make the Crumble: Combine all crumble ingredients. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes until golden. Cool and break into pieces.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat oven to 365°F (185°C). Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar. Bake 10–12 minutes. While warm, press an indent in the center. Cool slightly.
Assemble: Fill indent with apple mixture, sprinkle crumble on top, and drizzle with caramel. Serve immediately.

Notes

Chill the dough fully for thicker cookies.

Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best sweet-tart flavor.

Make caramel ahead and reheat gently before drizzling.

You can freeze unfilled cookies and assemble later.

Prep Time: 45 minutes (plus chilling)
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American