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Easy Caramel Apple Cookies

Soft, spiced apple cookies topped with a rich stovetop caramel frosting and crunchy chopped pecans. A perfect handheld version of a classic caramel apple.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Fall
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter softened
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar packed
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1.5 cups Granny Smith Apples peeled and finely diced
Caramel Frosting & Topping
  • 1/4 cup Butter
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar packed
  • 3 tablespoons Milk
  • 1.5 cups Powdered Sugar sifted
  • 1/2 cup Pecans chopped

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Small saucepan
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until fluffy.
  2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt) and gradually mix into the wet mixture.
  4. Fold in the diced apples and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rounded tablespoons of dough for 10-12 minutes.
  6. For the frosting, melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan; boil for 1 minute.
  7. Whisk in milk, remove from heat, and beat in powdered sugar until smooth.
  8. Frost cooled cookies and immediately top with pecans.

Notes

Store in the refrigerator to keep the apples fresh and the frosting set.