Description
Delight in these soft and flavorful Caramel-Drizzled Apple Cinnamon Cookies, featuring tender chunks of fresh apple and a warm cinnamon spice, all topped with a rich caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup diced apple (about 1 medium apple, peeled and cored)
Caramel Drizzle
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional, for a thinner drizzle)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients & Combine: 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, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in the diced apple pieces to distribute evenly.
- Chill Dough: Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This chilling step helps to prevent spreading during baking, ensuring thicker cookies.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Form & Bake Cookies: Scoop rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Caramel Drizzle & Serve: In a small bowl, mix the caramel sauce with the heavy cream if you prefer a thinner drizzle. Drizzle this caramel mixture over the cooled cookies to finish, adding a sweet, luscious touch before serving.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife to dice the apple finely to ensure even distribution in each cookie.
- Refrigeration of the dough is key to prevent flat and overly spread cookies.
- Heavy cream in the caramel drizzle is optional but helps in achieving a smoother, more drizzle-friendly consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative and caramel sauce with a dairy-free caramel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
