Apple Spice Cookies with Caramel Drizzle Recipe
Delight in these homemade Apple Spice Cookies featuring a soft, cinnamon-infused dough filled with a warm, chunky apple filling. Topped with a luscious caramel drizzle, these cookies marry classic fall flavors with a touch of sweetness and spice, perfect for cozy afternoons or festive gatherings.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
- Yield: 9 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookies
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Apple Filling
- 1 apple, peeled and diced
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Topping
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup caramel ice-cream topping
- Additional brown sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
- Prepare Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer to beat the mixture until it becomes fluffy and creamy. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to chill.
- Prepare Apple Filling: About 10 minutes before removing the dough, prepare the apple filling. Peel and dice the apple into small pieces.
- Cook Apple Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the diced apples, butter, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir until the butter melts and the ingredients are well combined.
- Thicken Filling: In a small bowl, mix water and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this into the saucepan with the apples and stir continuously. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 9 equal-sized balls. Pour the 1/4 cup sugar into a bowl and roll each dough ball thoroughly in the sugar to coat.
- Shape Cookies: Place the coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten each ball slightly with your hand and create a large indent in the center to hold the apple filling.
- Fill Cookies: Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the cooled apple filling into the indent of each cookie.
- Bake Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies on the baking sheet for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Finish: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Add Topping: Drizzle each cooled cookie with the caramel ice cream topping and sprinkle additional brown sugar if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy these warm, spiced apple cookies as a comforting treat or dessert.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve proper dough texture.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains cookie shape during baking.
- The apple filling can be customized with other spices like nutmeg or cloves for added warmth.
- If preferred, replace caramel topping with a cream cheese glaze for a different flavor profile.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before adding caramel topping to prevent melting and running.
Keywords: apple cookies, spiced cookies, caramel topped cookies, fall dessert, cinnamon apple cookies, homemade cookies