These Caramel Apple Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of fall flavors! Topped with caramel frosting and pecans, they’re the perfect autumn treat.
So, the first time I made these, it was one of those fall days—cloudy, chilly, and practically begging for something warm and sweet. I was originally aiming for a caramel apple pie but, well… I got lazy. (I mean, rolling out pie dough? Not today.)
Instead, I thought, why not bake something that tastes like apple pie but takes half the effort? And boom—Caramel Apple Cookies were born.
I played around with the recipe, swapping apple juice for milk to amp up the apple flavor and tweaking the frosting to be just the right balance of sweet and buttery. The first batch? Gone instantly. My family didn’t even let them cool properly before digging in. That’s when I knew—this recipe was a keeper.
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe?
- All the cozy fall flavors in one bite—sweet apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and caramel.
- No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients—just simple, everyday pantry staples.
- Soft and chewy, not cakey or dry—thanks to the apple juice and shredded apple.
- The caramel frosting? It’s next-level. Creamy, buttery, and so good.
- They stay fresh for days! (If you don’t eat them all first.)
Ingredient Notes:
These cookies are packed with flavor, and each ingredient plays a key role. Let’s talk about what makes them so good.
For the Cookies:
- Butter – Gives the cookies their rich, soft texture.
- Brown Sugar – Adds deep caramel-like sweetness.
- Apple Pie Spice – The must-have blend for that warm, spiced apple flavor.
- Apple Juice – Enhances the apple flavor and keeps the cookies soft.
- Shredded Apple – The real game-changer. Use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
For the Frosting:
- Brown Sugar & Butter – The base of our homemade caramel.
- Apple Juice – Keeps the frosting smooth and adds extra apple flavor.
- Powdered Sugar – The key to a thick, creamy texture.
- Toasted Pecans – A little crunch to balance out the sweetness.
How To Make Caramel Apple Cookies?
Step 1: Prep the Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lining a baking sheet with
In a large bowl, beat butter until it’s smooth and creamy (about 45 seconds). Add brown sugar, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt, and mix until everything is well combined.
Next, stir in the egg and apple juice until fully incorporated. Slowly add flour while mixing. The dough will start to come together, and at this point, fold in the shredded apple for extra moisture and flavor.
Step 2: Bake the Cookies
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Frosting
In a small saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and apple juice over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar until thick and creamy.
Step 4: Frost & Finish
Spread the caramel frosting over cooled cookies. Sprinkle toasted pecans on top for the perfect finishing touch.
Let the frosting set for about 10-15 minutes before serving (if you can wait that long!).
Storage Options:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Keeps well for 5 days. Let them come to room temp before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Just thaw before enjoying!
Variations and Substitutions:
Want to switch things up? Here are some fun tweaks:
- Nut-Free Option – Skip the pecans or swap them for toasted coconut.
- No Apple Juice? – Use milk or even cider for extra apple flavor.
- Make It Gluten-Free – Substitute the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Extra Caramel Drizzle – Add salted caramel sauce on top for even more indulgence.
What to Serve with Caramel Apple Cookies?
These cookies are amazing on their own, but if you want to level up the experience, try pairing them with:
- Hot Apple Cider – Double the apple goodness!
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Because warm cookies + cold ice cream = heaven.
- Salted Caramel Latte – A match made in fall dessert heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use store-bought caramel instead of homemade frosting?
Yep! A thick caramel sauce works great if you’re short on time. Just drizzle it on top!
Do I have to peel the apple?
Not at all! Leaving the skin on adds a little extra texture—just make sure to shred it finely.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter isn’t too soft when mixing, and don’t overmix the dough. Chilling it for 10 minutes before baking also helps!
If you love fall flavors, caramel apples, or just really good cookies, you need to try these Caramel Apple Cookies. They’re sweet, soft, and packed with all the best fall flavors in one bite.
So, what do you think? Are you baking a batch today, or right now? Let me know how they turn out!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Caramel Apple Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies:
- ½ c. butter softened
- 1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 egg
- ½ c. apple juice
- 2 ½ c. all-purpose flour
- 1 large tart apple peeled and shredded
Frosting:
- ½ c. packed brown sugar
- 3 tbsp. butter
- 3 tbsp. apple juice
- 2 ⅔ c. powdered sugar
- ½ c. pecans finely chopped and toasted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper and lightly greasing it.
To make the Cookies:
- In a bowl beat half a cup of softened butter until it becomes smooth which usually takes 45 seconds.
- Add one and a quarter cups of sugar, one teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of apple pie spice and a quarter teaspoon of salt, to the butter. Beat the mixture until everything is well blended.
- Next mix in one egg and half a cup of apple juice until they are thoroughly combined.
- Gradually beat in two and a half cups of all-purpose flour.
- After that stir in the apple into the dough.
- Using tablespoons as measurements drop portions of dough onto the cookie sheet. Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a cooling rack.
For the Frosting:
- In a saucepan heat half a cup of sugar, three tablespoons of butter and three tablespoons of apple juice over medium heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from heat. Whisk, in two and two-thirds cups of sugar until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Apply frosting onto cooled cookies. Sprinkle them with half a cup of toasted chopped pecans.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
