Description
These apple cookies with caramel cream cheese frosting are bursting with cozy spices, rich apple flavor, a silky caramel topping, and crunchy streusel. The perfect fall-inspired bakery-style treat that’s soft, sweet, and irresistible.
Ingredients
For the Apple Cookies:
½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup white sugar
¼ cup dark brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tbsp concentrated apple juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground ginger
⅛ tsp allspice
¾ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
For the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting:
5 oz cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp butter, softened
3 tbsp caramel sauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup powdered sugar
For the Streusel and Garnish:
¼ cup flour
1 tbsp white sugar
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tbsp cold butter, cubed
1 green apple, chopped into cubes
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or fingers until coarse crumbs form.
2. Toast streusel in a skillet over medium heat, stirring until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
3. In a large bowl, cream softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Add egg, apple juice, and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick dough forms.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
8. Scoop dough using a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup) to form 9 dough balls. Place on the baking sheet spaced apart.
9. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the edges are golden and centers are set. Cool completely on the sheet.
10. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, caramel sauce, and vanilla, and whip until fluffy.
11. Frost cooled cookies generously with the caramel cream cheese frosting.
12. Top each cookie with green apple cubes and a sprinkle of cooled streusel.
13. Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top if desired. Chill 10 minutes before serving for best results.
Notes
Granny Smith apples are perfect for these cookies because their tartness balances the sweet caramel frosting. Don’t skip chilling the streusel before using—it helps retain its crunch. Store cookies in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.