Imagine the flavors of a caramel apple transformed into a cookie. Brown sugar and butter caramel, check. Sweet-tart fruity apple, check. Scrumptious, absolutely. Caramel Apple Cookies taste like caramel apples in cookie form. I have mailed them in care packages, given them as gifts, and shared them on holiday cookie trays. The response is always the same. It’s hard to eat only one Caramel Apple Cookie.
A friend’s 13 year old son, Edis, recently got braces. His discomfort brought back memories. I had braces as a teen and both my daughter and my son suffered through braces. Based on experience, I advised Edis to take Advil before his appointments, to minimize soreness, and advised his mother to stock up on soft food for when the wires are tightened. Wistfully, Edis recited a long list of “foods” (mostly chewy, sugary things) that he wasn’t supposed to eat for YEARS. Most kids with braces cheat on the rules a bit and sneak gum and sticky sweets despite orthodontists’ warnings, but I didn’t tell Edis that. Chances are he will figure that out on his own.
I thought of Edis the first time I took a bite of chewy-soft Caramel Apple Cookies. These cookies have all of the mouthwatering flavors of a caramel apple without any of the stickiness that puts caramel on the “forget it” list for braces. The cookies get their apple flavor and chewy-soft texture from apple butter in the dough. The caramel frosting is amazing with lots of brown sugar and butter flavor. When spread onto cookies, the frosting sets firm enough for filling cookie jars or care packages, but is soft when you take a bite.
I am not suggesting that an orthodontist would recommend eating frosted cookies. I am pretty sure that most dental professionals are anti-sugar in general. However, my experience is that kids don’t always follow the advice of their orthodontist to the letter, and a Caramel Apple Cookie might soothe a craving without damaging hardware. Those of us without braces and the dental regulations that go with them, can simply enjoy Caramel Apple Cookies because they are delicious.
Caramel Apple Cookies maintain their soft texture for up to 7 days, making them great care package cookies or cookies to make ahead for holiday parties or gifts. Enjoy some, share some.
Caramel Apple Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- Caramel Frosting:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
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In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars.
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Mix in apple butter, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, baking powder, and flour.
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Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
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When ready to bake: Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Scoop dough with medium (2 tablespoon) cookie scoop and place at least 2” apart on prepared baking sheet.
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Gently flatten dough balls into ½” thick discs.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes.
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Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then cool completely on wire racks.
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To prepare icing: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, cream, and brown sugar. Stir constantly until boiling.
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Remove the pan from the heat and stir in vanilla and 1 cup of the confectioner’s sugar.
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Cool to room temperature, then add additional confectioner’s sugar until the frosting is a spreadable consistency.
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Use a knife or spatula to frost each cookie. If using sprinkles to decorate, add them immediately while the frosting is wet.
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Allow icing to dry completely before storing.
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
Packing Tips
Double wrap pairs of cookies (with bottoms together) in plastic wrap, then place snugly in an airtight container or zip lock bag.
Love the creative cookies you’re showing us, Wendy. Poor Edis! I have a feeling he will figure out how to enjoy some of those foods he isn’t supposed to have…I have been dreaded the thought of braces for my son. Right now, we’re okay but it’s still a very likely possibility. I better make sure he enjoys enough soft, chewy cookies in the meantime, right? ; ) Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Monica! Edis’ family immigrated to the US at a time when braces were not available in their home country. They are understandably proud that they can provide braces for their son, but didn’t really know what to expect once the braces were on. It has been an opportunity for me to learn about soft Bosnian comfort food! 🙂 Somehow kids (and their parents) survive braces and have a beautiful smile to show for it. I hope your Thanksgiving was fun and you are having a relaxing (stress-free?) weekend!
Oh braces… I remember them well. I never took any aspirin before my tightening appointments, but I should have. Those were painful experiences. I should have had a stash of these cookies too, to get me through the horrible middle school years. They look so delicious, Wendy! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, my friend.
Thanks, Liz! Somehow, braces during middle school is adding insult to injury, isn’t it. Those years are hard enough without someone tightening wires in your head! 😉 Wishing you lots of smiles and minimal stress in the weeks to come.
Poor Edis! I feel his pain. I remember when those braces went on and got tightened, time and time again. The pain is worth it, but it doesn’t help to tell a kid that.
These cookies are gorgeous! I’m so into that frosting on top. It looks like the best caramel frosting for a cookie that ever was.
And I’m loving the pic of you on the blog. You look great, Wendy!
Thanks, Mir! Why is it that no matter how many decades go by, just looking at someone with braces can make your mouth hurt?! Trauma, I suppose.;) You are right, it is worth it and with my friend’s family, the braces are a symbol of their suffering enabling things to be better for their children. Braces, though miserable, really are a privilege. These cookies and frosting really are amazing. So chewy and tasty! Thanks for your sweet word about the pic. It took me 4 years to feel comfortable posting one!
Wow Wendy – love this flavor combination! Apples are caramel in a cookies sounds like a great treat and so pretty too. Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Tricia! We did have a peaceful small family Thanksgiving. When your kids move away, it always feels so special to have everyone together at home! These cookie were a hit. 🙂
Ugh braces. I remember those. I had them way earlier than most of my friends and hated them!! haha But I definitely do not hate these cookies! What an awesome sounding flavor!! Hope you had a great holiday Wendy!
Thanks, Ashley! I don’t know what’s worse having braces before everyone or still having them after everyone else has them off! I think suffering alone is bad either way! Our holiday was peaceful and small,just the way I like it. I know your holiday must have been stress free and delicious with all of your amazing scheduling!
I suffered through braces too and was a bad girl always sneaking things I shouldn’t… These cookies sound absolutely delicious! I can’t tell you how badly I want them. I’m a big fan of apples in desserts and caramel makes the world go around. The two together are heavenly!
Thanks, Reeni! I think every kid with braces eats from the forbidden foods list. Forbidden foods taste better.;) I love that I can put apple flavor in these cookies with apple butter for a muchable yet shippable treat!
Wendy do these Caramel Apple cookies pass the test for mailing in a military care package or would they go stale?
Hi, Paula. The Caramel Apple cookies are GREAT for military care packages in cool weather that won’t melt the frosting. I am amazed at how long they stay chewy. I have tested them up to 2 weeks and the cookies still tasted fresh.( Just for your info and variety, the Apples and Honey cookies are the same apple dough with a honey icing instead. ) Let me know what your troops think. 🙂
Wendy,
Had a terrible time finding Apple Butter (finally found at Whole Foods but boy was it expensive!), will make these cookies along with some others to send to some soldiers who only get mail from their parents.
I am so sorry you had a hard time finding the Apple Butter, Paula! I bought mine at the regular grocery store in the peanut butter and jelly aisle. Mine is Musselman’s Apple Butter in a 17 oz jar. Maybe you were looking in the refrigerator section? I looked there first and was redirected to the jelly section. I KNOW these cookies will be enjoyed by your very lucky soldiers. All of the extra time and love you put into these are bound to make them extra delicious. 🙂
Wendy,
I found the Musselmans Apple Butter after buying the organic at Whole Foods and was going to return the organic when I found the Musselmans at our Cub Foods but then I noticed that the Musselmans has cinnamon and cloves in it and I didn’t know if I wanted that flavor in the cookies (on top of the cinnamon in your recipe) so I just used the organic and will return the Musselmans…is there a difference? What do you use to flatten the cookie before baking…I ended up just using my fingers ha,ha. They look good but didn’t taste as I want them to all go to the soldiers.
Hi Paula, I’m glad the cookies look good and I am sure they taste great! Musselman’s makes plain and spiced apple butter. I used the plain and added cinnamon to the recipe because I really don’t like clove. If you like the flavor of clove, you can certainly use the spiced apple butter and just leave out the extra cinnamon in the recipe. I used my fingers or the palm of my hand to flatten the cookies. Fingers sometimes leave dents but the top is being covered in frosting anyway. Some people prefer to use the bottom of a drinking glass to flatten cookies. Whatever works for you is fine. 🙂 I am honored that you are using one of my recipes for your dedicated and caring baking for our soldiers!
YUMMY – I love this cookies!!
And my family love all kind of apple sweets 🙂
I definitely need to try your recipe, and I’m saving the recipe 🙂
Thanks, Winnie! I made these apple cookies with honey icing for Rosh Hashana and we couldn’t stop eating them! So, I made a new version with caramel icing! 🙂
Wendy these cookies are a pretty genius idea. The top photo is just wonderful.
Two of my kids had to wear a “herbst” appliance in their mouth to bring their bottom jaw forward. Every week I had to turn the screws to tighten it!! We could have used a few of these cookies as a reward.
Wow wow wow! I have not seen caramel apple cookies! These sound incredible! I adore apple baked goods. It is brilliant to use apple butter in cookies. LOVE THEM! Thank you for telling us how long the cookies will last, so I can make them ahead for gifts. 🙂
Thanks, Lokness! These cookies make excellent gifts both because they are SO good and also because they can be made ahead and stay so wonderfully chewy. 🙂
My oldest son just got his braces off and now my middle son needs them and he loves caramel. This would be a nice surprise for him when he can’t eat caramel anymore. Pinning, stopping by from SITS recipe linky and hope you dhare with my 2 link parties on the blog of this week.
Good luck with the braces, Tanya! I hope your son enjoys the cookies! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will come back often. I will be sure to check into your linky parties! Thanks!
These look delicious! Pinning to make later!
Thanks, Roseann! I hope you enjoy them. Thanks for pinning. 🙂
I have some apple butter I haven’t thought I would use, but now I know I’ll be making these cookies!
That’s great, Lisa! I hope you enjoy the cookies!