Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Try These Warm Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe Today

Sweet autumn breezes carry the nostalgic aroma of a caramel apple cookies Crumbl copycat recipe that beckons comfort and joy.

These delectable treats blend the classic charm of fall’s favorite fruit with a modern cookie twist.

Crisp apples and rich caramel create a symphony of flavors in every tender, soft-baked morsel.

Crumbl iconic style inspires this homemade version that promises bakery-quality deliciousness right from your kitchen.

Warm spices and gooey caramel drizzle elevate these cookies from simple to spectacular.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of soft cookie texture and vibrant apple essence.

You’ll fall in love with this irresistible recipe that captures the essence of autumn in one delightful cookie.

What Makes These Caramel Apple Cookies So Good

What Makes These Caramel Apple Cookies So Good
  • Transform ordinary cookies into a gourmet treat that combines the classic flavors of caramel and apple in one delightful bite.
  • Learn to create a professional-level streusel and cream cheese frosting that adds restaurant-quality texture and richness to homemade cookies.
  • Capture the essence of autumn with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg that bring cozy comfort to every cookie.
  • Achieve bakery-style presentation with simple layering techniques of frosting, fresh apple pieces, streusel, and caramel drizzle that look professionally crafted.

Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that adds flavor and helps bind the cookie dough.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
  • Egg: Acts as a binding agent and contributes to the cookie's structure.
  • Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the cookie dough.
Spice and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice: A warm blend of spices that creates a cozy, autumnal flavor profile.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the overall taste of the cookies.
  • Concentrated Apple Juice: Provides a concentrated apple flavor to complement the caramel notes.
Frosting and Topping Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, creamy frosting base.
  • Caramel Sauce: Adds a rich, sweet drizzle that enhances the cookie's flavor.
  • Green Apple: Provides a fresh, tart contrast to the sweet cookie and frosting.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become light.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

Steps to Make Caramel Apple Crumbl Cookies

Steps to Make Caramel Apple Crumbl Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a clean workspace for your delightful cookies.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Streusel

Heat butter in a skillet over medium warmth.

Mix in flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until small clumpy bits form.

Continue cooking, stirring often, until the mixture turns golden brown.

Transfer to a plate for cooling.

Step 3: Mix Cookie Dough Base

Grab a mixing bowl and blend:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Whip until fluffy and light.

Incorporate:
  • Egg
  • Concentrated apple juice
  • Vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly until everything combines smoothly.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until flour vanishes completely.

Step 5: Shape and Bake Cookies

Scoop out 9 cookie dough balls onto prepared baking sheet.

Slide into the oven and bake for 12 minutes until edges turn golden.

Let cookies rest on sheet briefly before moving to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Beat together:
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Butter

Until smooth and creamy.

Add powdered sugar and caramel sauce, whipping until frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 7: Decorate and Garnish

Spread generous frosting layer on cooled cookies.

Top with:
  • Cubed green apple pieces
  • Sprinkled streusel
  • Caramel sauce drizzle

Serve and enjoy your homemade Caramel Apple Cookies!

Helpful Tips for Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Stir constantly while toasting to achieve a golden-brown color without scorching the mixture.
  • Use concentrated apple juice for intense flavor without adding excess liquid to the cookie dough.
  • Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker cookies.
  • Ensure butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation.
  • Add powdered sugar gradually to achieve the perfect spreadable frosting texture without becoming too runny.

Storing and Reheating Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Store frosted cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate each cookie layer to prevent sticking and maintain frosting quality.
  • Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.
  • Place completely cooled frosted cookies on baking sheet, freeze until solid. Transfer to freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Store up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Keep unfrosted cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Add fresh apple pieces and streusel just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.

Best Pairings for Crumbl-Inspired Apple Cookies

  • Pair Warm Spiced Chai Latte: The rich, aromatic spices in the chai perfectly complement the warm cinnamon and apple notes of the cookies, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
  • Enhance with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cool, creamy sweetness balances the caramel and apple warmth, providing a delightful contrast to the cookie's texture and temperature.
  • Match with Salted Caramel Mocktail: The drink's caramel undertones echo the cookie's caramel sauce while the saltiness cuts through the sweetness, elevating the overall taste profile.
  • Complement with Crisp Apple Cider: The fresh, tangy apple notes in the cider intensify the apple elements in the cookie, creating a robust and memorable flavor combination.

Twists on Crumbl Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Apple Delight: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version of these delectable cookies.
  • Vegan Caramel Apple Treat: Replace egg with flax egg, use plant-based butter, swap cream cheese for cashew cream, and utilize coconut caramel sauce for a completely dairy-free alternative.
  • Reduced Sugar Apple Cookie: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use sugar-free caramel sauce, and minimize added sugars while maintaining rich flavor profile.
  • Keto-Friendly Apple Crunch: Utilize almond flour, replace sugar with erythritol, create low-carb caramel using sugar-free sweeteners, and incorporate chopped pecans for additional crunch and nutty complexity.

FAQs

  • Are these cookies hard to make?

These cookies are relatively easy to make if you follow the recipe steps carefully. The process involves basic baking techniques like creaming butter, mixing dry and wet ingredients, and creating a streusel topping.

  • Can I use regular apple juice instead of concentrated apple juice?

Concentrated apple juice provides a more intense apple flavor. Regular apple juice might make the cookies less flavorful, so it’s best to use concentrated apple juice or look for a substitute like apple cider.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

The cookies are done when the edges turn slightly golden and appear set. They should look soft in the center but not wet. Overbaking can make them dry, so watch them closely around the 12-minute mark.

  • What if I don't have all the spices mentioned in the recipe?

While each spice contributes to the flavor, you can still make the cookies with just cinnamon if you’re missing the other spices. The cookie will still taste delicious, just with a slightly less complex flavor profile.

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Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe


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4.9 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Crumbl Copycat Caramel Apple Cookies bring sweet nostalgia to classic dessert lovers, blending crisp autumn flavors with irresistible bakery-style indulgence. Warm cinnamon notes and rich caramel drizzle create a memorable treat you’ll want to savor slowly.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Base:

  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) dark brown sugar
  • 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 tablespoons concentrated apple juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 5 ounces (142 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons caramel sauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (90 grams) powdered sugar

Streusel Topping:

  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) flour
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, cold, cubed
  • 1 green apple, sliced into cubes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an even surface for cookie placement.
  2. Create streusel by melting butter in a skillet, incorporating flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until clumpy. Toast the mixture over heat, stirring frequently until golden brown, then transfer to a plate for cooling.
  3. Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy, then integrate egg, concentrated apple juice, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until well combined.
  4. Combine dry ingredients – flour, spices, leavening agents, and salt – in a separate bowl, then gradually fold into wet mixture, stirring until flour completely disappears.
  5. Scoop cookie dough into 9 equal portions onto prepared baking sheet, maintaining consistent size and spacing. Bake for 12 minutes until edges turn light golden, then allow cookies to rest briefly on sheet before transferring to wire rack for complete cooling.
  6. Whip cream cheese and butter until smooth, then fold in powdered sugar and caramel sauce, creating a light, airy frosting with rich flavor profiles.
  7. Once cookies have reached room temperature, generously spread cream cheese frosting across each cookie’s surface. Garnish with diced green apple pieces, sprinkle homemade streusel, and finish with a delicate caramel sauce drizzle for a decadent presentation.

Notes

  • Adjust butter temperature carefully to prevent streusel burning, stirring constantly for even golden-brown color.
  • Concentrated apple juice adds intense fruit flavor; substitute with apple cider or fresh apple juice for similar results.
  • Chilling cookie dough before baking helps prevent excessive spreading and maintains thick, soft cookie texture.
  • Create gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, ensuring same measurement quantities.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Showcasing ingredients in plant-forward vegetarian dishes.
  • Creating adaptable weeklong menu templates centered on seasonal produce.

Education

Schoolcraft College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Associate Degree
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, menu planning, and food safety.

With an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Schoolcraft College and a natural knack for teaching, Olivia Bennett’s all about making home cooking feel possible, even on your busiest day.
Her thing? Recipes that are budget-friendly, season-forward, and full of Southern warmth. Whether it’s a roasted veggie bowl or a five-ingredient skillet bake, Olivia makes sure it’s simple, satisfying, and something you’ll want to make again tomorrow.
When she’s not shooting step-by-step videos or testing spice blends, she’s out foraging, flipping through old cookbooks, or throwing laid-back dinner parties with a BYO-mason-jar theme.

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