Welcome back to apple week! It feels weird to talk about fall when I was laying by the pool this past weekend, as California has been enduring a heat wave lately. Last year over Labor Day, I took my boyfriend back to Vermont. It was really fun to play tourist again. We went apple picking (of coarse), got pumpkin ice cream and cider donuts from the local farm stand and rode the alpine slides and zip line at Bromley mountain. I always talked about my favorite things to do in fall, and now he understands. I am pretty sure he is not bummed when my Dad ships me some cider donuts. We even bought apples back on the plane with us! It’s a thing people.
Over Labor Day weekend, I made these Oatmeal Caramel Apple Cookie. The cookies barely made it into the oven, not because it was 95 degrees outside, but I couldn’t stop eating the cookie dough. I might just have to make myself another batch without eggs so I don’t feel so bad sneaking a spoonful. These cookies are packed with apple, walnuts, cinnamon and a caramel center. There is just something about the combination of caramel and apples that leaves you wanting more and more.
- 1 ½ C Chopped apples
- ¼ C Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp All purpose flour
- 1 C Unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
- ¾ C Granulated sugar
- ¾ C Brown sugar
- 2 Large eggs
- 2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp Maple syrup
- 2¼ C All purpose flour
- 1 pk Instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz)
- 1½ C Oats
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Apple pie spice
- ¾ C Walnuts
- 1 pk Kraft Caramel squares
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Start by chopping apples into small pieces, about the size of a dime. You will need 2-3 apples. In a separate bowl, combine sugar and flour and stir to coat apples. Set aside.
- Allow butter to come to room temperature. Combine with both granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat on medium speed for several minutes until very well combined. Mixture should be smooth
- Add eggs, one at a time and beat until well mixed. Add vanilla extract and maple syrup and mix into batter after both eggs have been added.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl: flour, vanilla pudding mix, oats, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and apple pie spice. Slowly add dry ingredients to the batter and mix on medium speed until combined.
- Slowly add apples and walnuts to dough and beat on low speed just until combined.
- Line cookie sheet with baking mat or parchment paper
- Using a medium sized cooking scoop (about 3 tablespoons), place dough on cookie sheet. Use your thumb to press into the middle of the dough ball to make a hole. Place an unwrapped caramel in the middle. Use your fingers to pinch the edges back together so that caramel is fully covered with cookie dough.
- Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn light brown. Allow to cool on the pan for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
- Store in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften caramel.
I think these are best served fresh from the oven. I should know, I ate about five of them. These have the perfect amount of spice, with soft apple bites and a sweet caramel center.
More recipes from apple week:
More favorites from the web:
Toffee Caramel Apple Cake from A Pumpkin and a Princess
Cider Yeast Doughnuts from Bakeaholic Mamma
Caramel Apple Buttermilk Muffins from The Cafe Sucre Farine
Nice photos! You obviously know your apples!
Thanks Debbie!
These look so good! I swear, I gain 10 pounds just looking at your photos!
They look amazing Julianne! The oozy caramel – I’m dying! Sounds like a fun trip 🙂
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar recently posted…Smores Chocolate Pie
Thanks Lindsay! I know, something about melting caramel…!
Truly the perfect combo! So jealous of your trip to Vermont. It’s quickly rising to the top of my list of places to visit. Thanks for the lovely recipe.
Hi Todd! You have to visit, it is a truly beautiful place. Growing up I did not appreciate it as much until I moved to California.
These cookies look so good! I’m passionate about cookies, and these would be so hard for me to walk away from!
Tahnycooks recently posted…Peaches & Cream Ice Cream
HAHA! I had to literally call a friend that weekend and tell them I was dropping off a batch of cookies, I just couldn’t keep them in the house!
What a great way to dress up a oatmeal cookie! I’m loving it plus carmel and apples seems like a “go to” treat during the fall months! Nice!
http://www.prettybitchescancooktoo.com
Thanks Tamara! You are totally right!
Oh my yes, apples and caramel in a cookie! Love that the cookies have pure maple syrup, pudding mix, and walnuts – Pinned!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life recently posted…Things I’m Loving This Week
Thanks Mary! The pudding mix was kinda a long shot but it totally worked! I love it when that happens.
These sound and look delicious, Julianne! Caramel and apples were made for each other. 🙂 About all that irresistible raw dough…… Have you seen the eggs that are pasteurized in their shell? The rep for the company was at the St. Louis Food Media Forum I attended, and they prepared all kinds of raw egg foods that you can eat without worry. Raw cookie dough truffles were a big hit. This dough may call for preemptive measures. 🙂
Wendy recently posted…3-2-1 Molten Lava Cake
Hi Wendy! No, I have not heard of that, but it sounds like I should check it out! Thanks for the tip!
Haha, I am the same way with cookie dough. I love to eat it. My cookie recipes never make as many cookies as they could because I always eat the dough!
These look so good and I know I would be eating way too many of them! Pinned and sharing on social media. Have a great weekend, Julianne!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks recently posted…Thirty Minute Paella with Tomatoes
Haha #foodbloggerproblems! Thanks for sharing Julie!
they sound yummy!
Dina recently posted…Weekend Whets 9/13
These cookies look so good!!! I love how you incorporated all the fall flavors into them! They sound wonderful!
Maria recently posted…Croissant Bread Pudding
Thanks Maria!
These look so delicious, I think I would of eaten all of the cookie dough too. I can imagine it tasted so good. Visiting from Marvellous Mondays.
Laura@baking in pyjamas recently posted…Apple and Sultana Spiced Buckle
Hey Laura! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
These cookies look amazing! You are becoming quite the queen of the fall apple recipes. 😉
Thank you for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week!
Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama recently posted…Mini Applesauce Bundt Cakes
Carrie- you are too kind! Thank you!
I am definitely going to try this recipe this weekend! The pictures look good and I have been looking for different kind of apple recipes. We went apple picking 3 weeks ago and came home with 20 lbs of apples, so I have been busy baking all kinds of apple recipes.
Thank you for sharing.
YD
I am so jealous! What kind of apples did you pick?
Made them last night and they were a big hit with the family, teachers and co-workers! I had to give them away or I would have eaten them all myself!
What kind of apples do you recommend for these? I will definitely use this recipe again!
That’s awesome! I am so glad you liked them! I used Gala apples. I like that they are a little less tart than green apples. Green apples are good too though!