Caramel Apple Cookies are a Crumbl copycat recipe for a buttery apple cookie topped with caramel frosting and apple streusel.
If you're a fan of easy apple desserts, you've come to the right spot! This recipe is just as delicious as my Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies and is a family favorite.
Caramel Apple Cookies
This is a fall cookie recipe you will drool over. It is simply one of the most scrumptious cookies I have ever eaten! It's a crumbl style cookie with freeze dried (dried optional) apples, and a to die for caramel frosting and streusel topping made with graham crackers , apple cider mix (say what!) in the cookie dough and in the streusel on top. Soft and chewy, there is magic in every bite of these cookies. The apple cider mix in the streusel gives these cookies a tart little boost and it's amazing.
Ingredients Needed
Here's a basic list of what we're working with. Full list in the printable recipe card below.
- Butter - salted
- Sugar - white granulated and light brown
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Flour - all purpose
- Freeze Dried Apples
- Apple Cider Drink Mix
- Graham Crackers
- Cream Cheese
- Caramel Sauce - any dessert caramel sauce will work.
How to make Caramel Apple Cookies - Step by Step
I've broken down the directions of how to make this recipe into the simplest of steps.
- Make the dough by creaming the butter and sugars, mixing in the salt, vanilla, and eggs, then adding in the apple cider mix, flour, and lastly the freeze dried apples. Scoop and bake!
- Make the frosting by creaming together the butter and cream cheese and adding caramel sauce, vanilla, and powdered sugar. So silky.
- Make streusel topping by combining graham crackers, butter, chopped freeze dried apple and apple cider mix.
- Decorate cookies by piping frosting on top of cooled cookies and sprinkling the apple streusel topping on top of the cookies with finesse.
FAQ's and Tips
- What kind of apples can you use for caramel apple cookies?
- You can use chopped dried or freeze dried (used in this recipe) of a tart variety. Fuji, Granny Smith, or Gala will work fine. Fresh or bottled apples would change the texture of these cookies.
- Can you make these cookies without apple cider mix?
- You could, but the tart flavor the mix adds makes these cookies amazing! You could always use a sugar free version of the apple cider mix if it's available in stores or online.
- Use freeze dried apples for the intense apple flavor without the chewiness of a dried apple. Can be found in the preserved fruit section of many stores.
- Optional: drizzle caramel sauce over the finished cookies for even more caramel flavor in every bite!
More unique cookie recipes:
Need more ideas for holiday cookies? I got you covered! Here are a few of our very favorites. These cookies are perfect for holidays, birthdays, bake sales, or just a delicious cookie different from the norm.
- Neapolitan Cookies Recipe
- Pistachio Pudding Mix Cookies
- Biscoff Filled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Butterscotch Chip Cookies
I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we did! Definitely bakery worthy. They are large. They are buttery. They are a calorie commitment. But OOOOOH they are amazing!
📝 Printable Recipe
Caramel Apple Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, salted
- ¾ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 0.74 oz packets Apple Cider Drink Mix
- 2½-3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup freeze dried apple, chopped (1 oz package makes 1.5 cups chopped)
For the Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup salted butter (4 Tablespoons)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoon caramel sauce
For the streusel
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- ½ cup freeze dried apple, chopped
- 1 packet Apple Cider Drink Mix
Instructions
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or large bowl with electric hand mixer) combine the butter, white sugar and brown sugar and beat on high speed until mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally.Add in egg and vanilla extract and mix on medium speed until fluffy and mixed well.
- Add salt, baking soda and 2 packets apple cider mix. Mix dough until just combined. Add flour one cup at a time and mix on low speed about 1 minute until flour is completely mixed in. Last add 1 cup chopped freeze dried apples. Reserve ½ cup for streusel topping.
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 2 cookie or baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Using ¼ cup scoop, measure out 12 -13 balls of dough and space evenly on cookie sheets, 6 to a pan.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes, until cookies begin to crack. Prepare frosting and streusel while baking.Cool completely before frosting.
For the Frosting:
- In a stand mixer or hand mixer with paddle attachment beat together cream cheese and butter on medium/high speed until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time mixing on low speed until powdered sugar is completely mixed in between additions. Add vanilla extract and caramel sauce and mix well.
- After cookies have cooled, transfer frosting into a piping bag and using a large round tip, frost each cookie in a spiral pattern.
For the streusel:
- In a bowl or plastic resealable bag combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 1 packet apple cider mix, and ½ cup chopped freeze dried apples. Mix well. Sprinkle over frosted cookies and serve.
Amber Harper says
Have you tried making this ahead and freezing it?
Sara says
I’ve frozen the baked cookies and then frosted them later when they were thawed and ready to serve. I haven’t frozen the entire cookie, I’m not sure how it would affect the frosting to freeze and thaw.
Laura says
These cookies are so delicious! Thank you for an amazing recipe! I followed it exactly. (Also, I never, ever leave comments, but these were just so good!)
Sara says
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed them, and thank you for coming back to tell me, it always makes my day.