Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Caramel Apple Cider Cookies are soft with a chewy caramel center. These cookies are one of my favorite recipes to bake in the fall.
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I may earn commissions for purchases made through links on this post.
APPLE CIDER COOKIES
A long time ago, my friend Kaela sent these cookies to work with her husband. Her husband and my husband played together at the Dolphins. John thought they were so good he saved one for me and brought it home for me to try.
These cookies are full of caramel apple flavor with a surprise of caramel in the middle wrapped in dough. The texture of the cookies is to die for.
You’ll want to give these plenty of room to spread.
It might be from this apple cider mix which goes right in the dough. All ten packages of it.
I like mine heated up in the microwave for about 5 seconds to make sure the caramel is nice and gooey. I think they would be great with a warm cup of hot cocoa.
OTHER APPLE RECIPES
- Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes
- Appledoodle Cookies
- Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls
- Butterscotch Apple Pecan Cobbler
- Apple Crisp Pizza
Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Caramel Apple Cider Cookies are soft with a chewy caramel center. These cookies are one of my favorite recipes to bake in the fall.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (7.4 oz) box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix (all 10 packets - found next to hot chocolate mix)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (14 ounce) bag Kraft chewy caramels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper (you need this so that the caramel doesn't stick to the bottom of your cookie sheet).
- In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
- With an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well.
- Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Scoop out cookie dough ball about the size of a walnut (about 2 tablespoons).
- Flatten the ball of dough slightly in the palm of your hand. Press the unwrapped caramel into the center of your dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely. Make sure there's enough dough on the bottom of the ball to cushion the caramel so it doesn't stick to the pan.
- Shape the dough into a ball, and place on parchment covered cookie sheets about 3 inches apart.
- Bake 9-12 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges. They may not look quite done in the center but that is OK.
- Once the cookies are done, carefully slide the parchment off of the baking sheet right out onto the counter. Allow cookies to cool on the parchment.
- Makes around 2-3 dozen cookies. Eat at room temperature or slightly warmed in the microwave for a few seconds.
Has anyone tried making these as bars? If so, cooking time suggestions appreciated, and does it work in a 9×13?
I tried them as bars and used the Kraft Caramel Bits (like someone else mentioned). 9×13 for about 26 minutes. I think they were a little underbaked – maybe try about 30 minutes?
Ok, AMAZING! These are so soft. Do you have a base that is just as soft for chocolate chip?
Um my soft chocolate chip cookies are pretty soft if you don’t overbake
I never comment on recipes that I try. But after I baked these? I just had to say that they are some of the best cookies I’ve made this year. A lot of recipes on the internet can be so hit or miss. This one is a hit! It’s now in my holiday cookie rotation.
Just a couple optional tips if you wanted to elevate the cookie even higher than it already is:
1. Microplane a touch of nutmeg onto the top of the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. It find it gives that “warm hug” type of flavor. Plus it can decorate the top without adding extra sugar.
2. If you’re eating these cookies the next day, I second the previously mentioned tip about microwaving them for 5-10 seconds before eating. Who doesn’t love warm cookies? No brainer.
Thank you again!
Thank you for your feedback!
Could you use apple cider instead of the apple cider packets?
It would be too wet so I’m not sure how that would work
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I have made them both ways and actually like them better without the caramel! They are also sooooo easy that way; I just call them apple cider cookies, you don’t have to spend the time and money on the caramel, and everyone raves about them. Thanks for the awesome recipe! 🙂
The perfect autumn recipe!
Thank you!!
The Caramel Apple Cookie received a 5-star rating from my kids, who absolutely loved them! We will be making these again and again!
So glad you liked it!
These caramel apple cider cookies are so yummy. Made them for our book club and everyone asked for the recipe.
Can the dough be made a day ahead of making them? And refrigerated?
Sure!
Carly. That isn’t the issue with the recipe, that’s a process technique easily fixed. Use Kraft caramels and I find that if I roll the cubes into a ball and flatten to a thick disc, I can shape the dough around that disc and bake the cookies without any issue of the caramel seeping out. It’s worked everytime, takes a bit of extra time but totally worth it in the end. I’ve been making these for 6 years!
Thank you!
I’ve been looking for this recipe for almost 2 years!! my mom made them once and ever since I’ve been wanting to make them. there one of my favorite cookies, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Yay!
Could I use aluminum foil or something else in place of parchment paper?
Yes. I just find that parchment is the best.
If you are struggling with the caramel, use a package of “bits” they are in the chocolate chip aisle and are caramel in chip form. They aren’t going to leak out and add to the flavor. Also. Great Fall Cookie that isn’t pumpkin, not everyone loves pumpkin!
So true! Love these!
Hey im from New Zealand and we dont have apple cider mix sachets here only apple cider in liquid form, does that matter? Does it have to be powdered cider? If i can use liquid how much do i need?
Sorry I’ve never made it with liquid.
My roomies love these cookies! Ensure you use the Kraft or Werthers caramels – the generic kind I bought at Target boiled out of the cookies (I’ve never had that problem before). Generally, my batches make over 30 cookies (today they made 46!). Be sure to warm them back up in the microwave in the days to follow when eating them (less than 10 seconds otherwise it’s molten lava in your mouth!)
Thanks for the feedback!
Sorry you weren’t a fan. We love them.
Substituted half the sugar for light brown sugar, halved the caramel in each cookie and rolled the final 15 balls in cinnamon sugar before baking… Absolute perfection!! Glad I cut the caramel in half otherwise it would’ve been too much…
Yum!! I can’t handle these cookies! Pinned!
I tried these and they went completely flat in the oven.
They are a flatter cookie in general.
Dear Christy,
I love your sense of humor , your sense of smell and your taste in food!!!
I have a preoccupation with women’s and men’s fragrances!! I’m always mixing my own and then falling in love with myself!
Thank you for sharing everything you do and keep us all up-to-date with that little sweet baby on her way!
Haha. You had me laughing out loud!
Hello! I’m super excited to make these, but can anyone let me know how many cookies this recipe makes. Thank you! 🙂
I realized it says it in the recipe lol!
These look amazing….but I have this bag of Kraft caramel “bits” that I’m wanting to use in a carmel-apple-cookie of some sort. Could I substitute those in for the big caramel in the middle do you think?
I think you definitely could!
I made these over at my blog rensinthekitchen.com and I had better luck with werther’s caramels cut in half. I also love them warmed in the microwave 🙂
Holy cow!! Just made these and they are the best thing I’ve had in a while. Thank you for this delicious recipe!
I just made these cookies to take home to my Family for Thanksgiving and they are amazing. They might not last the three hour drive home tonight…I followed the recipe to a tee and they turned out perfectly! Thanks for the recipe!
Tried these today and the flavor was really good, but we had a problem with the caramel leaking out the bottom while it was baking and the cookies were a tad too soft and crumbly. Would adding a little more flour make the cookies chewier and denser?
Oh no. You could try adding more flour. Did you let them sit on the pan after baking to cool for a while? That’s key.
We did let them sit in the pan to cool for about 20 minutes, but the caramels leaked during the baking process and not so much during the cooling.
Tried them again and they turned out great, thanks for the tips!
It helps if they are more towards the top than the bottom. Sorry!
I pinned these several months ago and was so looking forward to the gooey caramel! I made them tonight for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner and was sort of bummed. I love sweet things, but these are really really sweet [1 c of sugar, 10 apple cider packets, and caramel] so I would suggest cutting down on the sugar somewhere in there. Also if you put whole caramels in, make sure you let them cool for like 15-20 mins so the caramel doesn’t come out. I ended up cutting the caramels into 6-7 chunks and mixing them in to the rest of the batter. Ah well, the important thing is that I cooked something!
Wow, these look so good! I don’t have an oven yet, but I’m planning on making these…
Helpful information. Fortunate me I discovered your web site
by accident, and I’m stunned why this twist of fate didn’t took place
earlier! I bookmarked it.
@Hope,
I’ve never had them long enough to see how they last…lol. I think they would freeze well and would keep in an airtight container up to two days for the best results.
these are Absolutely AMAZING! Just got done taking these out of the oven. My new favorite. Love the batter.Never had anything like it. You’re right, Christy. This is definitely better warm. Do you know if they will freeze well? Or how many days can these keep in a sealed container. I am making ahead of time.
Thanks,Hope
I loved this recipe and included it in an apple cider round up on my blog. Thanks for making and sharing this, it sounds fabulous! If you’d like to see the round up it’s here http://amandascookin.com/2012/10/30-apple-cider-recipes-for-fall.html
These are amazing! They will be a staple in my fall baking. Thank you!!
@Steven and Kimberly,
No worries. I’m always hungry and pmsing.
Oh geez, these look heavenly as well! I just told my husband that we’re going to try/make a new pumpkin/apple recipe every weekend because we only have Fall once a year 😉 Hahaha. Currently am pinning almost all of your recipes. Don’t judge… I’m PMSing and hungry, lol! 😛
Oh geez, these look heavenly as well! I just told my husband that we’re going to try/make a new pumpkin/apple recipe every weekend because we only have Fall once a year 😉 Hahaha. Currently am pinning almost all of your recipes. Don’t judge… I’m PMSing and hungry, lol! 😛
These are AMAZING!!!!! I just featured them on my blog as part of my Pinteresting Meals Challenge and have gotten rave reviews. I’m obsessed! I used Trader Joe’s fleur de sel caramels..which are so addictive by themselves.
Thanks for another incredible recipe!
totally found this pin on pinterest too, so glad to find out it was really good! i saw it and totally wanted to make it immediately. yay!
These are delicious!! I also made them using Kraft Caramel Bits and they were just as good, but easier to eat when they aren’t warm!
My jaw literally dropped when I saw that first picture.
Yum! These sound great!
I am obsessed with the lemon lysol wipes and I am not even pregnant:-)
These sound so different, but such a great combo, that I almonst can’t not add them to my cookie list for christmas….the dough sounds good just by itself.
I had these cookies at my DIL’s home during Thanksgiving. Omgosh..these are over the top good!
Can’t wait to bake a batch this afternoon for my coworkers. Yeah..for me too!
I have heard of much odder pregnancy cravings…
At least you’re not just wanting to eat enough for 6 instead of 2, like I did!! I hope everything goes well these last weeks!
These cookies – wow! I wish I had one right now!!
Gah, put caramel in anything and I’m game!
Christy… my big obsession last pregnancy was Lysol lemon cleaner too (not necessarily the wipes, but the straight-up cleaner). I managed to abstain as well, but I mopped my floors and wiped my walls with it every day of my last month. Never cleaned so much in my life!!! 🙂
@Misha,
Hahahahaha! Great. Now I’m craving black markers!
Oye! These would be wonderful to have for Thanksgiving. But since I am doing low-carb right now and am hoping not to flub up that day, they will have to wait. They will likely show up on my Christmas cookie tray anyway!
i love that ooey gooeyness inside!!
Making these right now … Wow! The dough smells heavenly, and the cookies taste even better! They are super easy to make, too. I just texted some of my friends and told them they must make these. Stat!
These cookies look so yummy. Going to have to try these. I LOVE fall baking.
I love your recipe. During the holiday season, I want to stack up on good cookie batches, you’ll never know who would be showing up at your doorstep…you’ll never know what kind of party you will end up preparing…you’ll never know what you will be craving for ( i am not pregnant, though so the cravings are not given much attention…)These cookies are just the right type. Thanks for sharing! Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!
Although your cravings are weird, they aren’t really any weirder than mine. I craved Vicks Vapor Rub and those big thick striped Black Markers. I.could.NOT. get enough of them. I would hide them in my drawer at work and sniff each and every moment I thought no one was looking.
They were looking.
And almost had an intervention.
I’m not kidding. 🙂
Thanks for posting these cookies. I’m soooo making them because i am truly in love with apple caramel anything (and apparently vicks vapor rub and black markers)
Happy end of your Pregnancy!
These cookies look amazing. And I know it’s probably not a laughing matter, but you’re post is hillarious too 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
These look and sound delicious!
FYI, I had to stop using the Glad because it was clogging the vacuum filter, but I couldn’t give it up, so I keep a container in closets to absorb moisture (and so I can still smell it). 😉
That is hilarious!! Doesn’t pica mean you are low on iron or something like that? Good luck with that!! I have 3 boys and am ready to have another but also being high-risk, just don’t want to go through another pregnancy! Hang in there!
For me It was Comet Cleanser and chewing ice. Thankfully the smell of Comet was enough. My kitchen sink has never before or since been so clean! (I couldn’t reach across the bathtub to clean it)
These look soooo yummy!
hi! these cookies are delicious!!!
I love your page 🙂
ooh i love the look of those! chewy and gooey…yum!!
cute post! i have these pinned as well and can’t wait to try them! jeanette
That looks so yummy and sounds easy! I may have to try this to impress my hubby!
oh wow, I need to try this recipe. Not sure if I can find that apple cider drink mix, maybe I can tweak the recipe to add it as a liquid?
Talitha xx
Oh YUM. I love the idea of caramel in the middle of my cookie.
We’ve missed you. I wish you the best of luck in these last weeks. Can’t wait to know her name!
Those cookies look so delicious
Lea~
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