I shared last week that I had two meetings to bake up some sweets for the hubby. For one meeting I made a simple spice cake but for the other I went cookie crazy. I made four different kinds of cookies from the cookbook Cookie Remix. Some of the recipes were a disappointment but I will be sharing the couple that I did end up working. This apple cookie recipe was the winner on the tray – everyone who had one went back for seconds.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

Makes 28

For the Filling

2 cups apple, peeled, cored and small dice (about 2 medium)
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
4 TBS melted butter
pinch of salt
1/2 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 TBS cinnamon

For the Cookies

1 cup of butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp pure vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

For the Caramel Sauce

1 cup granulated sugar
6 TBS cold butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla

coarse sea salt if desired for topping

Make the Caramel Sauce:

Add the sugar to a non reactive, high sided sauce pan over medium high heat.
Stir until the sugar melts. It will start to look like sand, then small pebbles. Don’t worry, just keep stirring until the sugar melts.
When the melted sugar turns a light amber in color add the cold butter. Be careful as the mixture will bubble up.
Keep stirring until the butter melts and is incorporated into the sugar.
Remove from heat and add the heavy cream. The mixture will bubble up again. Just keep stirring until it stops bubbling and is smooth and shiny.
Let cool slightly in the pot and then remove to a container like a mason jar to cool completely.

Make the Filling

Cut the apples into small dice and add to a medium bowl.
Add in the lemon juice, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and pinch of salt.

Stir to combine and set aside

Make the Cookie Dough

Preheat the oven to 350°
Line three cookie sheets with parchment paper
In a stand mixer with the paddle attached mix the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy and smooth.
In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon
Add to the butter mixture in thirds, mixing just until combined.
Use a medium cookie scoop or measure out 1 1/2 TBS of dough and roll into balls. Place the balls 2″ apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

Press down in the center to create a well for the apple filling.

Be sure there are no cracks or holes in the bottom or sides.

Add about 1 tsp of filling to each well
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 – 12 minutes until the cookies are baked in the center and slightly browned on the edges.

Remove to a wire rack to let cool

Assemble the Cookies

Drizzle a little of the caramel sauce over top of the cooled cookies.
If desired sprinkle with a little coarse sea salt

How Was the Apple Cookie Recipe?

I made four different kinds of cookies; the Caramel Apple Pie Cookies, Cream Cheese Cookie Dough, Green Tea Blackberry, Dark Roast Chocolate. The apple cookie recipe was the most popular with the Dark Roast Chocolate being a close second. I’ll get that one posted in short order.

I have to admit that I might have taste tested several myself so I can tell you that they are very good cookies. The cookie is crispy around the edges and then soft and chewy in the center with the sweet/cinnamony apple pieces and then the lovely caramel on top. This recipe is a keeper.

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