Name: Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (softened); 3/4 cup Imperial Sugar granulated sugar; 1/4 cup Imperial Sugar dark brown sugar; 1 large egg (at room temperature); 2 tbsp concentrated apple juice; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 tsp cinnamon; 1/8 tsp nutmeg; 1/4 tsp ginger; 1/8 tsp allspice; 3/4 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 5 oz cream cheese (softened); 4 tbsp butter (softened); 3 tbsp caramel sauce (homemade or store bought); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 3/4 cup Imperial Sugar powdered sugar; 1/4 cup flour; 1 tbsp Imperial Sugar granulated sugar; 1/4 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 1/2 tbsp butter (cold, cubed); 1 green apple (sliced into cubes)

If you’ve ever found yourself craving those irresistibly soft, gooey caramel apple delights from Crumbl, I have some great news for you! This Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe captures all the magic of those famed cookies right in your own kitchen. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll love how they bring together tender cinnamon cookies, luscious caramel cream cheese frosting, and crunchy apple bits for a fall treat that’s just pure bliss.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic Flavor: This recipe nails the cozy cinnamon and apple notes that define the Crumbl version, so you don’t miss a thing.
Perfect Texture: Soft, tender cookies with just the right amount of crumb and a creamy frosting that melts in your mouth.
Fun to Make: I love how the layers – cookie, frosting, streusel, and apple chunks – come together like little bites of fall heaven.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies always impress and satisfy.

There are four round cookies on a white marbled surface, each cookie topped with a thick swirl of white cream. On top of the cream are small green apple pieces and light brown crumbly bits. Each cookie has thin lines of caramel-colored sauce drizzled over the cream and toppings. A few crumbs are scattered around the cookies. One green apple and a red bag of Imperial Sugar lie near the cookies. In the middle of the cookies is a small stick of green apple with the caramel sauce drizzled on it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Cookies, Crumbl Copycat Cookies, Fall Dessert Recipes, Soft Cinnamon Cookies, Apple and Caramel Cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients blend together to give you that warm cinnamon cookie base, tart apple goodness, and that silky caramel cream cheese topping that makes this copycat recipe shine. Make sure to get fresh green apples and good-quality caramel sauce for the best results.

Flat lay of soft cubes of cold butter, scoops of creamy softened butter and cream cheese, glistening caramel sauce drizzled artistically, bright green apple cubes, small piles of granulated sugar and dark brown sugar, dustings of cinnamon and nutmeg powder, scattered all-purpose flour, and a rich scoop of powdered sugar, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Cookies, Crumbl Copycat Cookies, Fall Dessert Recipes, Soft Cinnamon Cookies, Apple and Caramel Cookies

Butter: Softened for the cookie dough and softened again for the frosting to ensure smooth mixing.
Imperial Sugar granulated sugar: The classic sugar that sweetens the cookie dough perfectly.
Imperial Sugar dark brown sugar: Adds that deep, molasses-like flavor perfect for caramel apple vibes.
Egg: Room temperature eggs help the dough come together smoothly.
Concentrated apple juice: This is your secret star ingredient adding apple sweetness without extra moisture.
Vanilla extract: Always boosts flavor for both cookie and frosting.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for your cookie dough and topping.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice: The warm spices that bring all those classic fall flavors alive.
Baking soda and baking powder: Together, they create the perfect rise and texture.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavors.
Cream cheese: Softened and whipped into the frosting for that rich, tangy contrast.
Caramel sauce: Use homemade for the best results, but store-bought will do in a pinch.
Imperial Sugar powdered sugar: For a smooth, sweet frosting with the perfect consistency.
Green apple: Chopped fresh for that crisp bite that makes this cookie stand out.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own by tweaking the apple type, playing around with spices, or even switching up the frosting base. You’ll find that with a few changes you can cater this cookie to exactly what you and your family love.

Spice it Up: I once added a pinch of clove for extra warmth, and it was a cozy hit during chilly evenings.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter and cream cheese for coconut oil and dairy-free cream cheese; the cookies still come out soft and flavorful.
Apple Swap: Granny Smith apples are my go-to for the tart bite, but sweet Fuji apples work great if you prefer a milder flavor.
Caramel Variations: Try salted caramel sauce to add a nice salty-sweet punch that really makes these cookies pop.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Space

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking, which is a small trick but makes cleanup a breeze! While the oven warms up, gather your ingredients so everything’s ready to go.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. I like using an electric mixer for this step because it makes the dough so silky. Add in the egg, concentrated apple juice, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

Next, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture and mix until just combined. You want to avoid overmixing here, or you’ll end up with tough cookies.

Step 3: Prepare the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat together the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add in the caramel sauce and vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. If it feels too thick, a teaspoon of milk can help loosen it up without losing richness.

Step 4: Make the Streusel Topping

This streusel is the tiny detail that adds big texture! Combine flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. You want to keep some butter chunks, so when baked, it crisps up perfectly.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Drop rounded spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto your prepared sheet, then generously sprinkle the streusel on top of each. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly soft—this moisture is key for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Once cooled slightly, gently spread a dollop of the frosting on each cookie, add the green apple chunks, and finish with a drizzle of caramel sauce. The first time I drizzled caramel over the top, I was hooked; it adds that glossy look and extra flavor pop.

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Pro Tips for Making Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It helps everything mix smoothly and creates a tender dough with no lumps.
Don’t Skip the Streusel: That sweet-crunchy topping is the secret to texture contrast—it’s worth the extra step!
Watch the Oven Time Closely: Baking slightly underdone keeps cookies soft; they’ll firm up as they cool.
Add Apples Last: Add fresh apple chunks right after frosting, so they stay crisp and fresh instead of releasing juice into the cookie.

How to Serve Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe

A single round cookie with a light brown color forming the base layer has a bite taken out of its side, showing a soft texture inside. On top of the cookie is a thick layer of smooth white cream, spread evenly. Scattered on the cream are small, light brown crumbly bits that add texture. Small green apple pieces with a shiny surface sit on the crumbs. Drizzled over everything is a caramel-colored sauce in thin lines across the top. The cookie rests on a piece of white parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with blurred cookies and green apple slices in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Cookies, Crumbl Copycat Cookies, Fall Dessert Recipes, Soft Cinnamon Cookies, Apple and Caramel Cookies

Garnishes

I typically sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or a pinch of flaky sea salt on top to elevate the caramel’s depth and contrast the sweetness. Sometimes, I like adding chopped pecans too, which adds a fantastic nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with the apples.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own, but I’ve often enjoyed them with a warm chai latte or a spiced apple cider to amp up the autumn vibes. For fun gatherings, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes these cookies feel like a decadent dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on a rustic wooden board, drizzled extra caramel on the plate, and garnished with apple slices and fresh thyme sprigs for a beautiful fall display. Wrapping a set of cookies in parchment with a cinnamon stick tied on top makes a perfect gift too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. Make sure to layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They typically last up to 3 days this way and still taste amazing.

Freezing

If I want to freeze, I skip frosting the cookies first. I freeze the plain baked cookies in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw gently and frost fresh to keep that creamy texture.

Reheating

I find microwaving for 10-15 seconds or warming in a low-temp oven (around 275°F for 5 minutes) really revives the cookie’s softness without melting the frosting too much—a total game-changer when you want that fresh-baked feel again.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Absolutely! While green apples like Granny Smith offer a nice tartness that balances the sweetness, sweeter apples such as Fuji or Honeycrisp will work too—just keep in mind they might soften more during baking.
Is it better to make caramel sauce from scratch or use store-bought?

Both work well. Homemade caramel sauce has a fresh, buttery depth that I love, but good-quality store-bought caramel sauce can save time and still tastes great, especially when you drizzle it generously.
How do I prevent the frosting from running off the cookies?

Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before frosting and use cream cheese and butter softened but not melted. You can chill the frosting briefly if it’s too soft to help it set nicely on the cookies.
Can I make these cookies vegan?

Yes! Substitute vegan butter and vegan cream cheese, and use a flax egg or other plant-based egg substitute. Just note the texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it blends nostalgic fall flavors with that indulgent sweetness we all crave. I love sharing these with friends and family, watching their faces light up at that perfect bite of cinnamon-spiced cookie, tangy apple, and creamy caramel frosting. Give this recipe a try—you’ll see how fun and rewarding it is to create bakery-quality treats right at home. Happy baking!