Apple Cookies with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting – The Ultimate Autumn Cookie Recipe

If fall had a love language, I’m convinced it would be apple cookies with caramel cream cheese frosting. These cookies are soft, warmly spiced, and topped with the kind of creamy caramel swirl that makes you want to hide the batch from the kids (don’t worry, I won’t tell).

As a mom of three, I live for recipes like this—easy enough to whip up between school drop-off and soccer practice, but fancy-looking enough to impress the neighbors at the block party. Plus, when that cozy cinnamon-apple smell fills the kitchen, it feels like a hug from the season itself.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cookies with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

• They taste like fall in a bite. Warm spices, real apple, and caramel—what’s not to love?
• Soft, tender texture. These aren’t crispy cookies; they’re pillowy and melt-in-your-mouth.
• Crowd-pleaser. Perfect for bake sales, holiday parties, or that “just because” sweet tooth moment.

What Do Apple Cookies with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting Taste Like?

Imagine your favorite spiced apple cider meeting a caramel-dipped apple at the county fair—sweet, tangy, creamy, and just the right touch of cozy spice.

The frosting adds a rich, cheesecake-like tang while the apple cubes and streusel topping give a delightful crunch.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Apple Cookies with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

When it comes to baking these apple cookies with caramel cream cheese frosting, the magic is all in the balance of cozy spices, fresh apples, and that silky caramel topping. Each ingredient has a purpose, and together they create a cookie that tastes like fall wrapped in a sweet little package. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Apple Cookies (the base of our recipe)

• ½ cup butter, softened – Butter adds richness and helps the cookies stay soft and chewy. Be sure it’s softened (not melted) so your dough holds together nicely.
• ¾ cup white sugar + ¼ cup dark brown sugar – This blend creates the perfect sweetness with just a touch of molasses flavor. The brown sugar also helps keep the cookies moist.
• 1 large egg, room temperature – Eggs bind the dough and give the cookies structure.
• 2 tbsp concentrated apple juice – This intensifies the apple flavor and makes every bite taste like an orchard in autumn.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors with a subtle warmth.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour – The foundation of your cookie dough. Spoon and level it for accurate measuring.
• Spices: ¾ tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ginger, ⅛ tsp allspice – This spice mix brings that classic fall flavor, similar to what you’ll find in my pumpkin sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting.
• ¾ tsp baking soda + ¼ tsp baking powder – These help the cookies rise just enough without puffing too much.
• ¼ tsp salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the spice notes.

For the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

• 5 oz cream cheese, softened – Creates that luscious tangy base for the frosting.
• 4 tbsp butter, softened – Adds creaminess and structure.
• 3 tbsp caramel sauce – You can use store-bought, but homemade caramel takes these cookies over the top.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – Adds depth to the frosting.
• ¾ cup powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting until it’s fluffy and spreadable.

For the Streusel and Garnish

• ¼ cup flour – The base of the crunchy topping.
• 1 tbsp white sugar – Sweetens the streusel.
• ¼ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp salt – Spices the topping and balances sweetness.
• 1 ½ tbsp cold butter, cubed – The key to that crumbly, golden topping.
• 1 green apple, chopped into cubes – Adds freshness and a juicy crunch. Granny Smith is ideal for its tartness, which pairs beautifully with the sweet caramel frosting.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want an extra indulgent finish, drizzle more caramel sauce over the frosted cookies right before serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Cookies with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Baking apple cookies with caramel cream cheese frosting might sound fancy, but I promise, if you can follow these steps, you’ll end up with bakery-style cookies that smell like heaven and taste even better. Grab your apron, turn on some cozy music, and let’s do this together.

Step 1: Make the Streusel Topping

1. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup flour, 1 tbsp white sugar, ¼ tsp cinnamon, and ¼ tsp salt.
2. Add 1 ½ tbsp cold cubed butter. Use a fork or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Warm a skillet over medium heat and toast the mixture for a few minutes, stirring often, until golden and fragrant. This step makes your kitchen smell like a cinnamon roll bakery!
4. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely. This crunchy streusel will be sprinkled on top of your cookies for that irresistible bite.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together ½ cup softened butter, ¾ cup white sugar, and ¼ cup dark brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy—this takes about 2–3 minutes.
2. Add in 1 egg (room temperature), 2 tbsp concentrated apple juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix just until combined. Don’t overbeat, or your cookies may turn tough.
3. In another bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: 2 cups flour, ¾ tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ginger, ⅛ tsp allspice, ¾ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until no flour streaks remain. The dough should be thick but scoopable.

(This step is very similar to making my pumpkin cheesecake cookies, another cozy fall favorite. If you loved those, you’ll adore these apple cookies too!)

Step 3: Scoop and Bake the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Use a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup) to portion the dough into 9 balls. Place them evenly on the prepared sheet.
3. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges look lightly golden and the tops are set. The centers may look slightly soft—that’s perfect! They’ll firm up as they cool.
4. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. This prevents them from breaking apart and ensures your frosting won’t melt off later.

Step 4: Whip Up the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a medium bowl, beat together 5 oz cream cheese and 4 tbsp softened butter until creamy and smooth.
2. Add ¾ cup powdered sugar, 3 tbsp caramel sauce, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whip on high until the frosting becomes fluffy and luscious.
3. Scrape the sides of the bowl so every bit of sugar and caramel is incorporated. The texture should be light, spreadable, and slightly tangy from the cream cheese.

Step 5: Assemble and Decorate

1. Once your cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe a generous layer of frosting on top of each cookie. Don’t be shy—this frosting is the star of the show!
2. Add a few cubes of fresh green apple for a juicy crunch.
3. Sprinkle your cooled streusel over the frosting.
4. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce if you’re feeling fancy. (I always do!)

At this point, your apple cookies with caramel cream cheese frosting are ready to enjoy. For an extra touch, chill them in the fridge for 10 minutes before serving—the frosting firms up beautifully and makes them easier to transport if you’re sharing at a party.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Apple Cookies

• Don’t skip cooling! Frosting warm cookies = sad, melty mess.
• Try chilling the frosted cookies. Ten minutes in the fridge sets the frosting beautifully.
• Apple swap: Granny Smith works best for tartness, but Honeycrisp is delicious too.
• Freezer-friendly: Bake cookies (unfrosted) ahead, freeze, then frost when ready to serve.

Storing Apple Cookies with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these without the frosting?
Yes, but trust me—the caramel cream cheese frosting is what takes these over the top.

Do I have to use concentrated apple juice?
Nope! You can swap in regular apple juice, though the flavor will be milder.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. These disappear fast, so doubling might be the safest choice.

Conclusion

These apple cookies with caramel cream cheese frosting are fall’s way of saying, “slow down and savor.” Soft, spiced, creamy, and a little crunchy—basically, cookie perfection. I can’t wait for you to try them and see why they’ve become my family’s go-to autumn treat.

If you bake them, let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram—I love seeing your kitchen magic!

Follow us on Pinterest for weekly slow cooker inspiration, or join the conversation over on our Facebook page where fellow food lovers share their favorite comfort meal.

Print