Gooey Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Scrumptious Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Soft, chewy, and packed with autumn vibes, these caramel apple cookies make the crumbl copycat recipe a decadent fall treat that melts in your mouth.

Sweet apple chunks dance through buttery dough, creating an irresistible blend of flavors.

Warm cinnamon notes complement the rich caramel drizzle, giving each bite a comforting warmth.

Bakers will love how simple these cookies are to prepare with just a few standard ingredients.

The secret lies in balancing the apple’s tartness with the deep, golden caramel swirls.

Every cookie promises a delightful experience that captures the essence of cozy autumn afternoons.

Prepare to fall in love with this crowd-pleasing dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

For Dough Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides perfect structure and softness for tender cookies, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
  • Cornstarch: Creates an incredibly tender crumb, helps prevent tough cookies by softening protein content.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents ensuring cookies rise and spread perfectly with light, airy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness in the cookie.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Delivers rich caramel undertones and perfect sweetness, opt for high-quality cane sugar.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth, pure vanilla provides superior flavor compared to artificial versions.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic notes complementing apple and caramel flavors beautifully.
For Apple Topping:
  • Apples: Select firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith for best cooking performance and balanced sweetness.
  • Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for apple mixture, use unsalted for precise flavor control.
  • Caramel Sauce: Delivers luxurious sweetness, store-bought works perfectly or make homemade for extra authenticity.
  • Sea Salt: Optional finishing touch adding sophisticated flavor contrast and elegant presentation.

Tools to Bake Crumbl Copycat Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cookie dough ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
  • Cookie scoop: Creates uniform, perfectly sized cookies every time.
  • Baking sheet: Provides even heat distribution for golden-edged cookies.
  • Parchment paper: Ensures cookies don't stick and makes clean-up a breeze.
  • Saucepan: Needed for cooking delicious apple topping.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for stirring apple mixture while cooking.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.

Steps to Make Crumbl Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating the perfect stage for cookie magic.

  • Create Cookie Dough Magic

Blend softened butter with brown and white sugars until they become a fluffy cloud. Splash in eggs and vanilla, mixing until silky smooth.

  • Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Gently fold this powdery mixture into your wet ingredients until just combined.

  • Shape and Bake Cookies

Scoop generous dollops of dough onto the prepared sheet. Give each cookie a gentle press. Slide into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Allow cookies to cool completely.

  • Craft Apple Topping

Melt butter in a saucepan and toss in diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook until apples soften. Stir in cornstarch and water, simmering until the mixture thickens into a luscious sauce.

  • Dress Up the Cookies

Spoon the warm apple mixture over each cookie. Drizzle with rich caramel sauce, creating a decadent finish.

  • Final Flourish

Optional: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt for an extra flavor punch. Serve these delightful treats warm or at room temperature and watch them disappear.

Tips for Perfect Crumbl Copycat Cookies

  • Apple Selection Magic: Choose tart Granny Smith or sweet Honeycrisp apples for a perfectly balanced flavor profile that complements the cookie's sweetness.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare cookie dough and apple topping a day ahead, storing separately in refrigerator to save time during final assembly.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these cookies celiac-safe without compromising texture or taste.
  • Vegan Transformation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use egg substitutes like flax eggs, and select plant-based caramel sauce to create a dairy-free version.
  • Spice Level Boost: Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg or cardamom in the apple topping for deeper, more complex flavor dimensions.

How to Serve Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Sweet Gathering Glory: Host a cozy autumn cookie party where friends can enjoy these delectable caramel apple treats together.
  • Dessert Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or warm apple cider to enhance the seasonal flavor profile.
  • Gifting Delights: Package cookies individually in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine for charming homemade food gifts that showcase your baking skills.
  • Coffee Companion Treat: Pair with a hot cappuccino or spiced chai latte for a delightful afternoon snack that complements the cookie's warm cinnamon notes.
  • Fridge-Friendly Flavor Keeper: Store cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicious caramel apple essence.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for 2-3 months, ensuring a sweet treat is always ready when cravings hit.
  • Quick Reheat Trick: Warm refrigerated cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 300F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore that fresh-baked softness and revive the caramel's gooey texture.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare cookie dough and apple topping separately up to 2 days in advance. Keep dough chilled and topping in a sealed container, allowing for quick assembly when ready to bake.
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Gooey Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Gooey Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Crumbl caramel apple cookies bring classic comfort to your dessert plate with sweet autumn charm. Each bite delivers nostalgic flavors that combine tender cookie textures with rich caramel and crisp apple notes you’ll love.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsps cornstarch
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (170 g) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 tbsps (28 g/1 oz) butter
  • ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar
  • 2 tbsps water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp sea salt (optional, for salted caramel)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Set oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
  2. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, blending until smooth and silky.
  3. Dry Ingredient Harmonization: Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl, ensuring uniform distribution.
  4. Dough Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined to preserve the dough’s tender structure. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet and gently flatten each portion.
  5. Baking Transformation: Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges signaling perfect doneness. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
  6. Apple Topping Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, simmering until fruit becomes tender and caramelized. Thicken by stirring in cornstarch and water, cooking until sauce reaches a glossy consistency.
  7. Final Assembly: Spoon warm apple topping generously over cooled cookies. Drizzle with caramel sauce and optionally sprinkle sea salt to enhance the sweet-savory profile. Serve immediately or at room temperature for ultimate enjoyment.

Notes

  • Butter Temperature Control: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal cookie texture and even mixing.
  • Avoid Overmixing Dough: Stir dry and wet ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookies.
  • Apple Caramelization Technique: Cook apples slowly over medium heat to develop deep, rich caramel flavor without burning.
  • Cooling Critical Step: Allow cookies to cool completely before adding apple topping to prevent soggy texture and maintain crisp edges.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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