Soft Apple Caramel Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Delight in these Soft Apple Caramel Oatmeal Cookies, featuring a perfect blend of warm cinnamon-spiced oats, tender apple chunks, and gooey caramel centers. These cookies are soft and chewy with a melt-in-your-mouth caramel surprise, making them a perfect treat for autumn or any cozy occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature or cold)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup apple, chopped small
- Soft caramels (Werther’s or Kraft caramel bits), enough for 1-2 pieces per cookie
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is well combined and smooth. This step helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and continue mixing until the batter becomes smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and keep cookies soft.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold the finely chopped apples into the cookie dough to distribute them evenly without breaking them down.
- Portion Dough and Add Caramel: Scoop ¼ cup portions of cookie dough, then press 1-2 soft caramels into the center of each scoop, making sure the caramel is completely enclosed by the dough to prevent caramel leakage during baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the cookie dough portions on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes, or until the tops are set and the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely for the best texture.
Notes
- For best results, use soft caramels like Werther’s or Kraft caramel bits to ensure they melt smoothly inside the cookie.
- Ensure the caramel is fully enclosed in dough to prevent burning during baking.
- You can substitute apples with pears for a different but equally delicious flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain softness.
- For a crispier cookie, bake an additional 2-3 minutes but watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
Keywords: Apple oatmeal cookies, caramel cookies, soft cookies, cinnamon oatmeal, autumn dessert, baked oatmeal cookies
