Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 3 large granny smith apples, peeled and diced (about 4 ½ cups or 500g)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar (67g)
- 4 tablespoons water (60g)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (28g)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (15g)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (8g)
- 1 ½ teaspoon apple pie spice (3-4g)
- Pinch fine sea salt
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (227g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (200g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 2 large eggs (100g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (about 8.4g)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (8g)
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice (2-3g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (4g)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (3g)
Streusel Topping
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (30g)
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (12g)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12g)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter, cold (14g)
- Pinch fine sea salt
Caramel Sauce
- 10 Kraft caramel candies, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare Apple Filling: Combine diced apples, light brown sugar, water, salted butter, lemon juice, cornstarch, apple pie spice, and a pinch of sea salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the mixture thickens. Start checking for tenderness at 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. This filling can be made up to 2 days ahead, refrigerated in an airtight container, and brought back to room temperature before use.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for the cookies.
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, stirring occasionally, until it becomes frothy and turns a golden brown color, about 8-10 minutes. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Mix Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with the light brown and granulated sugars. Beat until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until smooth. Stir in all-purpose flour, cornstarch, apple pie spice, baking soda, and sea salt until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Using a scoop or spoon, portion dough into balls about 2 tablespoons each. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Create Indents and Cool Cookies: After baking, use the back of a spoon to gently press an indent in the center of each cookie. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: Increase oven temperature to 350°F if needed. Line another baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix flour, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cut in cold salted butter using a pastry cutter, fork, or fingertips until mixture is clumpy with no dry flour visible.
- Bake Streusel: Spread the streusel evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes until it turns lightly golden and crisp. Remove and set aside to cool, allowing it to further crisp as it cools.
- Melt Caramel Sauce: Combine unwrapped caramel candies and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until the caramel melts completely and the sauce is smooth. If too thick, gently reheat on stove or microwave to thin for drizzling.
- Assemble Cookies: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cooled apple filling into the indent of each cookie. Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the apple filling, then sprinkle the crisp streusel topping on each cookie. Assemble just before serving for the best texture experience.
Notes
- Apple filling can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored refrigerated.
- Browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to the cookies; watch closely to avoid burning.
- Pressing an indent in cookies before cooling helps hold the filling and toppings.
- Assemble cookies right before serving to maintain crisp textures of streusel and cookie base.
- If caramel sauce thickens too much, gently reheat to achieve a drizzle consistency.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
