Description
These Caramel Apple Cookies are a delightful autumn treat combining tender, spiced apple-infused cookies with a luscious homemade caramel frosting and toasted pecans for a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ½ cup apple juice
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large tart apple, peeled and coarsely shredded
Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons apple juice
- 2 ⅔ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, about 45 seconds. Add the brown sugar, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt, beating on medium speed until well combined. Add the egg and beat just until incorporated. On low speed, gradually beat in the apple juice, then mix in the all-purpose flour until the dough is well blended. Finally, fold in the shredded tart apple.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned but the tops still appear slightly underbaked. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 3-4 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, and apple juice in a saucepan. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts completely, then remove from heat. Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar quickly to form a smooth frosting. If the frosting hardens before use, stir in hot water one teaspoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Frost and Garnish Cookies: Frost the cooled cookies generously with the caramel apple frosting. Immediately sprinkle the finely chopped toasted pecans over the frosted cookies to add a crunchy texture and extra flavor.
Notes
- Use a tart apple like Granny Smith for a nice balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Be careful not to overbake the cookies to keep them soft and chewy.
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- The frosting can thicken quickly; prepare it just before frosting the cookies.
- If you prefer, substitute apple juice with fresh apple cider for enhanced flavor.
