Indulgent Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Dreamy Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe Magic

Baking these decadent caramel apple cookies that perfectly mimic Crumbl’s signature style brings pure joy to your kitchen.

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and caramel will swirl around you as you craft these irresistible treats.

This delightful Crumbl copycat recipe delivers a delectable twist on classic apple cookies.

Soft, chewy edges blend with a gooey caramel center that melts in your mouth.

Warm spices dance through each bite, creating a comforting autumn-inspired sensation.

The combination of crisp apples and rich caramel transforms an ordinary cookie into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this crowd-pleasing recipe that promises to become a new seasonal favorite.

Kitchen Tools for Crumbl-Inspired Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing cookie dough.
  • Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients smoothly without lumps.
  • Cookie scoop: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized cookies every time.
  • Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup.
  • Saucepan: Needed to cook apple topping and create delicious caramelized fruit mixture.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring apple mixture and mixing ingredients.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.

Instructions to Bake Caramel Apple Cookies to Perfection

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  • Create Cookie Dough Magic

Whip butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy and dreamy. Splash in eggs and vanilla, mixing until silky smooth.

  • Blend Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold into wet ingredients until perfectly combined.

  • Shape and Bake Cookies

Scoop generous mounds of dough onto the baking sheet. Flatten them slightly and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden edges appear. Cool completely.

  • Craft Apple Topping

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook until soft and tender. Thicken with cornstarch and water for a luscious sauce. Let cool.

  • Dress Up the Cookies

Spoon warm apple mixture over each cookie. Drizzle with rich caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

  • Serve With Flair

Sprinkle a touch of sea salt for a flavor pop. Enjoy warm or at room temperature for maximum deliciousness.

Ideas to Customize Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Foolproof Baking Tricks: Soft, Delectable Cookie Secrets for Every Baker
  • Moisture Magic: Add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to guarantee ultra-soft, pillowy cookies that stay tender for days.
  • Apple Selection Wisdom: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the perfect balance of texture and flavor in the topping.
  • Make-Ahead Masterplan: Prepare cookie dough and apple topping separately up to 3 days in advance, storing them refrigerated to save time during busy weeks.
  • Dietary Flexibility: For gluten-free versions, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring same delicious results for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Caramel Sauce Hack: When drizzling caramel, warm it slightly and use a squeeze bottle or spoon for precise, beautiful presentation that looks professionally crafted.

How to Serve Crumbl-Style Caramel Apple Cookies

  • Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these cookies with a steaming mug of cinnamon-spiced coffee or hot apple cider for a cozy morning treat that perfectly complements the warm apple and caramel flavors.
  • Elegant Dessert Platter: Create a stunning dessert presentation by arranging cookies on a rustic wooden board, garnishing with fresh apple slices, and adding a small pitcher of extra caramel sauce for drizzling.
  • Party Sharing Hack: Break cookies into smaller pieces and serve in mini dessert cups, topped with a dollop of vanilla whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed cinnamon graham crackers for a delightful party-friendly nibble.
  • Ice Cream Upgrade: Transform these cookies into an irresistible dessert by serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream, allowing the warm cookie to slightly melt the cool cream.

Storing Caramel Apple Cookies So They Stay Fresh

  • Fridge-Fresh Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 4 days. Refrigeration helps maintain apple topping's texture and prevents quick spoiling.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough and apple topping separately 2-3 days before baking. Store dough in sealed container and apple mixture in refrigerator. Assemble just before serving to maintain crisp texture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Quick Reheat Trick: Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. For crispier edges, use toaster oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes. Drizzle fresh caramel sauce after reheating to refresh flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 202 kcal

Servings: 24

What Goes into Caramel Apple Cookies (Crumbl Copycat)

For Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structural foundation, ensuring soft and tender cookie texture.
  • Cornstarch: Creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth crumb by softening protein structures.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Baking Soda: Contributes to even browning and balanced texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie base.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and keeps cookies moist.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie spread.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to structure and richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Intensifies overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
For Topping Ingredients:
  • Apples: Bring fresh, natural sweetness and soft texture to the cookie.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy undertones complementing apple flavor.
  • Caramel Sauce: Creates luxurious, rich sweetness and glossy finish.
  • Sea Salt: Provides unexpected flavor contrast and depth.
Print
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Indulgent Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Indulgent Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat Recipe


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4.7 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Crumbl’s caramel apple cookies deliver sweet autumn nostalgia with crisp edges and gooey centers. Warm spices and creamy caramel drizzle complete this irresistible seasonal treat you’ll crave long after the first bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 ½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 tbsps butter
  • 2 tbsps water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsps cornstarch
  • 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp sea salt (optional, for salted caramel)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie development.
  2. Dough Foundation: Cream butter with sugars until fluffy, then blend in eggs and vanilla extract to create a silky base mixture.
  3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Whisk together flour, cornstarch, leavening agents, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl to ensure uniform distribution.
  4. Dough Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender cookie texture.
  5. Cookie Formation: Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet, gently flattening each portion to promote even baking and spread.
  6. Baking Process: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
  7. Apple Topping Creation: Melt butter in saucepan, add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, simmering until fruit softens and caramelizes.
  8. Sauce Refinement: Incorporate cornstarch and water, cooking briefly to develop a glossy, luxurious sauce consistency.
  9. Topping Application: Cool apple mixture slightly, then generously spoon over each cookie to create a luscious fruit layer.
  10. Final Embellishment: Drizzle with caramel sauce and optionally sprinkle sea salt to enhance the sweet-savory flavor profile.
  11. Serving Recommendation: Present cookies warm or at room temperature, inviting immediate enjoyment of this delectable treat.

Notes

  • Prevent Dough Spread: Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to minimize excessive spreading and maintain a perfect round shape.
  • Balance Apple Moisture: Pat diced apples dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid, preventing soggy cookie bottoms and ensuring a crisp texture.
  • Customize Sweetness Level: Adjust brown sugar quantity in apple topping based on apple variety’s natural sweetness, tasting and adjusting as you cook.
  • Maximize Flavor Depth: Toast ground cinnamon briefly in a dry pan before adding to cookie dough or apple topping to intensify its aromatic qualities and create a more complex flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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