If you’re craving a cozy, autumn-inspired treat that fills your kitchen with the warm scents of cinnamon and apple, you have to try The Best Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe. These cookies bring together tender, spiced dough loaded with juicy apple chunks and are topped with a luscious caramel cream cheese frosting that simply melts in your mouth. Every bite is a wonderful balance of sweet, spicy, and buttery goodness that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just treating yourself, these cookies are sure to become a favorite that you’ll want to come back to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses a simple yet thoughtful selection of ingredients that work harmoniously to create layers of flavor and perfect texture. Each ingredient plays its part in making these cookies irresistibly soft, aromatic, and beautifully spiced.
- 1/2 cup butter (softened): The base fat that ensures a rich, tender crumb and delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 3/4 cup Imperial Sugar granulated sugar: Adds the essential sweetness that balances the spice and tartness perfectly.
- 1/4 cup Imperial Sugar dark brown sugar: Boosts moisture and brings a hint of caramel notes deep into the cookie.
- 1 large egg (at room temperature): Helps bind the ingredients and adds a bit of structure for chewy softness.
- 2 tbsp concentrated apple juice: Infuses authentic apple flavor into every bite without overpowering the dough.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and ties all flavors together with its warm, comforting aroma.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The fundamental building block of the cookie, providing structure and thickness.
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon: The classic fall spice that gives these cookies their signature cozy warmth.
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg: Adds a subtle depth and slightly nutty nuance that complements the apple and caramel.
- 1/4 tsp ginger: Brings a subtle zing to lift the flavor profile beyond the ordinary.
- 1/8 tsp allspice: Rounds out the spice blend with fruity, clove-like notes.
- 3/4 tsp baking soda: Ensures the cookies rise perfectly and retain a tender texture.
- 1/4 tsp baking powder: Works alongside baking soda to give just the right amount of lift.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies all the flavors beautifully.
- 5 oz cream cheese (softened): Essential for the dreamy, tangy frosting that adds richness without heaviness.
- 4 tbsp butter (softened): Blended with cream cheese to create an irresistibly smooth topping.
- 3 tbsp caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought): The star ingredient of the frosting, providing gooey sweetness and a luscious texture.
- 3/4 cup Imperial Sugar powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for perfect spreading consistency.
- 1/4 cup flour: For the crisp topping that adds delightful texture contrast.
- 1 tbsp Imperial Sugar granulated sugar: Adds a slight crunch to the topping for extra bite.
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon: Continues the warm spice flavor into the cookie topping.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Enhances flavor depth in the topping.
- 1 & 1/2 tbsp butter (cold, cubed): Cut into the topping for a crumbly, buttery texture.
- 1 green apple (sliced into cubes): The fresh, crisp element that brings bursts of juicy apple flavor throughout the cookie.
How to Make The Best Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper ensures your cookies won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze and helping every cookie come out perfectly shaped and browned at the edges.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and both kinds of sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is key because it incorporates air for lightness and blends the sugars fully, setting the stage for the cookie’s tender texture and rich flavor. Next, add the egg, apple juice, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully combined and glossy.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures the spices and leaveners are evenly distributed throughout the dough, which gives every bite consistent flavor and rise. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid over-working the dough, which keeps your cookies soft and tender.
Step 4: Fold in Fresh Apple Chunks
Gently fold in the green apple cubes. These pockets of fresh, crisp apple throughout the cookie provide surprise bursts of juiciness and brightness that balance the warm spices and sweet dough perfectly. Be gentle here to avoid breaking the apple pieces too much.
Step 5: Bake Your Cookies
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly so they have room to spread. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the centers look just set. This timing gives you cookies that are soft and chewy with a slight crispness on the edges — pure perfection.
Step 6: Prepare and Apply the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cookies cool completely, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. This frosting is what truly elevates these cookies, offering a tangy, sweet, gooey topping that pairs amazingly with the warm, spiced apple base. Spread or pipe the frosting over your cooled cookies generously and get ready to enjoy these irresistible treats.
How to Serve The Best Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe
Garnishes
To take these cookies to the next level, consider adding a few thoughtful garnishes. A light drizzle of extra caramel sauce on top adds shininess and a deeper caramel flavor. Thin slices of fresh apple or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar can beautifully complement both the appearance and flavor, making your presentation as inviting as the scent.
Side Dishes
Though these cookies shine on their own, pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream creates an indulgent dessert experience. For drinks, nothing warms the soul quite like a mug of hot apple cider or a cinnamon-spiced latte, perfectly matching the cookie’s cozy flavor profile.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re gifting these or bringing them to a gathering, stack them on a rustic wooden board or arrange them in a pretty tin lined with parchment paper. You can also box them individually with a paper doily for a charming homemade touch. If you want to impress guests, pipe the caramel cream cheese frosting in pretty swirls and add tiny cinnamon sticks or edible gold dust for sparkle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent the frosting from sticking together. Keeping them at room temp maintains the ideal texture and freshness.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies unfrosted for up to 3 months by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze first, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready, thaw completely and add the caramel cream cheese frosting fresh for the best flavor and texture.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these cookies warm, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave will soften them nicely without melting the frosting completely. This reheating brings out the cozy aroma again and feels like a fresh batch just out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely! Green apples are traditional for their tartness and firm texture, but you can experiment with Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala apples if you prefer something sweeter. Just adjust the sugar slightly if the apples are very sweet.
Is it necessary to use both baking soda and baking powder?
Yes, using both helps balance the rise and texture. Baking soda reacts with the acidity in the apple juice and cream cheese, while baking powder adds additional lift for soft, tender cookies.
Can I make the caramel sauce from scratch?
Certainly! Homemade caramel sauce made with butter, brown sugar, and cream adds a wonderful depth to the frosting, but store-bought caramel works well too if you’re short on time.
What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?
You could try substituting mascarpone or a thick Greek yogurt strained of excess moisture, but keep in mind the flavor and texture will be slightly different. Cream cheese offers that perfect tang and smoothness for this recipe.
How long does it take to make these cookies from start to finish?
About 30 to 40 minutes in total. Prep takes roughly 15 minutes, baking is 12 minutes, and then you’ll have a bit of time to prepare the frosting while the cookies cool. It’s a quick and rewarding process!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about The Best Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe. It combines classic fall flavors with an irresistible texture and that show-stopping caramel cream cheese frosting that takes it over the edge. Whether it’s cookie night, a holiday party, or a special treat for yourself, these cookies are worth every minute of effort. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and experience their warm, cozy deliciousness firsthand!
Print
The Best Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Caramel Apple Cookies are a delightful Crumbl copycat recipe featuring soft, spiced cookie dough loaded with fresh green apple chunks and topped with a luscious cream cheese caramel frosting. With warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, these cookies capture the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and warmly spiced flavors, making them the ideal fall treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup Imperial Sugar granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup Imperial Sugar dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp concentrated apple juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 green apple (sliced into cubes)
Cream Cheese Caramel Frosting
- 5 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 tbsp butter (softened)
- 3 tbsp caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup Imperial Sugar powdered sugar
Topping Crumble
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Imperial Sugar granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter (cold, cubed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This ensures even sweetness and a tender crumb.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, concentrated apple juice, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, creating a flavorful base for the dough.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in apples: Gently fold in the diced green apple chunks to distribute them evenly without breaking them down too much.
- Shape and bake: Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked but still soft inside.
- Prepare frosting: While the cookies cool, beat together softened cream cheese, softened butter, caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, creating a rich caramel cream cheese frosting.
- Cool and frost: Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before spreading or piping the cream cheese caramel frosting on top.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature for smoother mixing.
- Use fresh green apples for the best texture and tartness in the cookies.
- Chill dough briefly if it becomes too soft before baking.
- You can make the caramel sauce at home using brown sugar and cream or buy a quality store-bought version.
- Store cookies in an airtight container and refrigerate if frosting is applied, consuming within 3-4 days.
