Scrumptious Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe

Warm autumn afternoons call for decadent treats that spark pure joy.

Baking these gooey cheesecake-stuffed caramel apple cookies will transport your taste buds to a world of sweet comfort.

The delightful combination of soft, spiced cookies filled with tangy cheesecake and rich caramel creates an irresistible dessert experience.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp apples and creamy cheesecake merge in a delectable harmony that celebrates seasonal indulgence.

Forget store-bought cookies and embrace this homemade masterpiece that turns ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

You won’t be able to resist the temptation of these mouthwatering cookies that bring warmth and happiness to any gathering.

Instructions for Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies

• Whip Cream Cheese Filling

Blend cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until silky smooth. Create tiny rounds of this creamy mixture onto a parchment sheet and pop into the freezer. These delicate dollops will chill and firm up in about half an hour.

• Prepare Cookie Dough Base

Mix together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy and light. Crack in eggs and splash vanilla, stirring until everything combines beautifully. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients, blending until a soft dough forms.

• Craft the Caramel Apple Magic

Fold chopped apples and cinnamon into your cookie mixture, creating bursts of fruity flavor. Scoop out generous portions of dough, creating little nests with centers perfect for hiding the frozen cream cheese surprise.

• Assemble Delightful Cookies

Gently press a frozen cream cheese dollop into each cookie’s center. Wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely. These will look like innocent, unassuming cookies with a secret creamy heart.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your cookie masterpieces into a preheated oven. Watch them transform into golden, slightly puffy treats with crisp edges and soft centers. The aroma of caramel, apple, and warm spices will fill your kitchen.

• Cool and Drizzle

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack. Once they’ve settled, drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence. These cookies are ready to surprise and delight!

Tips to Keep Filling from Leaking Out

• Cream Cheese Center Trick: Freeze the cream cheese filling beforehand to ensure it stays intact during baking and doesn't leak out completely.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cream cheese dollops and cookie dough up to 3 days in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator for quick assembly.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese, use plant-based butter, and choose egg substitutes like flax eggs to create a completely vegan version of the cookies.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg or cardamom in the cookie dough to enhance the autumnal apple and caramel flavor profile.

Fun Ways to Serve Cheesecake Apple Cookies

• Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh apple slices, drizzle extra caramel sauce, and sprinkle cinnamon for a stunning presentation that highlights the cookie's gourmet appeal.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these cookies with warm chai tea or a creamy latte, creating a delightful sweet moment that complements the rich cheesecake and apple flavors.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with autumn-colored ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for friends and family during fall gatherings or thanksgiving celebrations.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Topping: Crumble the cookies over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the caramel and cheesecake elements melt into a decadent dessert experience.

Storage Advice for Stuffed Cookies

• Strategic Cookie Placement: Store these delectable treats in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate shape.
• Cooling Technique: Refrigerate cookies for up to 5 days, ensuring the cream cheese filling remains fresh and maintains its creamy texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to enjoy for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cream cheese filling and cookie dough separately up to 2 days in advance, keeping them chilled until ready to assemble and bake for maximum convenience and flavor preservation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 215 kcal

Servings: 12

What You’ll Need for Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies

• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy and tangy base for the luscious filling, choose full-fat version for richer texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the filling, sifting prevents clumping.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes, use pure extract for best results.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender cookie structure, sift to remove lumps for smoother dough.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and tender crumb, use room temperature for easy mixing.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and moisture, opt for fresh, soft variety.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps cookies spread evenly.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, use large eggs at room temperature.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Apples: Select crisp, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith for best texture and flavor contrast.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds luxurious sweetness, homemade or high-quality store-bought works perfectly.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, autumnal spice that complements apple flavor.

Tools to Stuff and Bake Caramel Apple Cookies

• Electric mixer: Essential for blending cream cheese mixture smoothly and quickly.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing cream cheese filling ingredients.
• Parchment-lined plate: Helps freeze cream cheese dollops without sticking.
• Teaspoon: Precise measurement for creating uniform cream cheese portions.
• Freezer: Chills cream cheese filling to maintain shape during cookie preparation.

Gooey Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delicious cheesecake-stuffed caramel apple cookies blend sweet and tangy flavors from autumn orchards. Rich cookie dough wraps creamy cheesecake and caramel, creating a perfect seasonal dessert you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup (75 g) diced apple (peeled & finely chopped)
• ½ cup (85 g) caramel bits or soft caramels (chopped)
• ¼ cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp sea salt (optional, for salted caramel flavor)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until achieving a velvety, homogeneous mixture that promises a luxurious filling.
2. Portioning: Craft uniform cream cheese droplets onto parchment paper, strategically creating consistent globules that will become the cookie’s concealed, creamy nucleus.
3. Chilling: Freeze the delicate cream cheese centers for 30 minutes, transforming them into firm, structurally sound cores that will deliver an unexpected, sumptuous burst within each confection.

Notes

• Chill Cream Cheese Precisely: Freeze dollops exactly 30 minutes for perfect structural stability, preventing messy melting during baking.
• Uniform Sizing Matters: Use a small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to create consistent cream cheese centers, ensuring even distribution and balanced cookie texture.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Pat apple chunks dry before mixing to prevent excess liquid from compromising cookie dough consistency and preventing spread.
• Gentle Handling Technique: Wrap cookie dough gently around frozen cream cheese centers, sealing edges completely to prevent filling leakage during baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg