Crumbl caramel apple cookies, AKA a cinnamon brown sugar apple cookie base topped with a luscious caramel cream cheese frosting, green apple pieces, and a homemade streusel all put together to bring you one of your favorite fall treats.
Since you’re here I know you will also love this apple pie cookie recipe, The Best Fluffy and Soft Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, as well as this Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew Coffee!
This post is sponsored by my friends over at Imperial Sugar. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Lifestyle of a foodie possible.
Crumbl did it again! It brought us a fall favorite for so many. They took the beloved caramel apple which tastes like a mix of sweetness from the caramel with the green apple tartness and transformed it into their weekly cookie for fall.
Obviously, nothing will taste exactly the same as a caramel apple because it’s a fruit mixed with sugary caramel but I took components of that flavor and tried to make something similar.
This is the best caramel apple cookie ever!
This cookie first starts out with a chewy apple-spiced cookie base that uses warming fall spices as well as some concentrated apple juice to really bring in that apple flavor.
Each cookie is then topped with a homemade caramel cream cheese frosting, similar to the one used in the caramel pumpkin cookies. Each cookie is then topped with a homemade cinnamon streusel, chopped up green apple to bring in that tartness, and a thick caramel sauce.
Why you need to make this recipe!
- It’s a fun recipe to try during the fall especially if you love caramel apples!
- This recipe is a great way to use up those extra apples from going apple-picking with the family 🙂
- You will save a ton of money by making your own Crumbl cookies at home.
- With this recipe, you will be able to enjoy your favorite cookies anytime the craving hits, no need to wait a whole year for the Crumbl bakeries to bring it back.
- This recipe is great for fall parties and holidays. Just make the cookies smaller to serve a crowd.
Ingredients for this caramel apple cookie recipe
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this cookie recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Butter- You can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe.
- Imperial Sugar dark brown sugar & granulated sugar-The cookie base uses a mixture of sugars to get the texture just right.
- Concentrated apple juice– We will need to use a tiny bit of concentrated apple juice to give our cookie that extra chewiness and a hint of apples in there as well.
- Egg– Use an egg at room temperature.
- Vanilla extract- This will give both our frosting as well as our cookies a nice depth of flavor.
- Flour– Use AP or all-purpose flour for this recipe.
- Salt– Always use a little salt in your baked goods to balance out the flavors.
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice– These are the warming spices that you will need to use to accentuate those fall flavors in the dessert.
- Baking powder & baking soda– These are the leavening agents of this recipe.
- Cream cheese– Use full-fat cream cheese for this recipe
- Imperial Sugar powdered sugar– The powdered sugar will help sweeten our frosting as well as give it that extra hold so you can frost your cookies with it.
- Caramel– Use storebought or homemade caramel. If you can opt for the homemade caramel because it is much better!
- Green apple– This is used to decorate our cookies, but when you get a bite with an apple, your tastebuds will be blown away!
Why Imperial Sugar?
When it comes to this recipe, I wanted something I can relly on and the imperial sugar sugars are both extremely reliable and also pack a ton of flavor, especially the dark brown sugar. It has a strong molasses flavor which helps give these cookies that extra depth of flavor.
How to make Crumbl caramel apple copycats
This is how you can make this cookie at home. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
The streusel topping
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet, mix in the sugar, cinnamon, flour, and salt until clumps form.
- Continue cooking it on medium heat while stirring frequently until the streusel gets some color. This can take a few minutes.
Make the cookie base
- Cream the butter and sugars together until smooth.
- Add in the vanilla extract, apple juice concentrate, and the egg and mix to combine.
- Mix in the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda just until the flour mixture disappears.
- Scoop 9 equally sized cookie dough balls, place them on the prepared baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven.
- Let the cookies cool down before frosting.
The caramel cream cheese frosting
- Cream the butter and cream cheese together.
- Add in the caramel sauce, powdered sugar, and vanilla and whip until light and fluffy.
- Place the frosting in a piping bag with a large round tip.
- Frost the cookie sin a swirls motion, top with the chopped up green apples, a sprinkle of homemade streusel, and a drizzle of caramel and enjoy!
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
What is the best caramel sauce to use for this recipe?
To be honest, I tried this recipe with both homemade and storebought caramel and the best results came with the homemade caramel. So even though, that might require a little extra effort it is so much more worth it!
How to store Crumbl caramel apple cookies?
You can store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If you are wanting to serve these cookies at a later date though, you can frost them but just wait before you top them with the chopped-up apples to keep them from browning.
How to make catering-sized Crumbl caramel apple cookies?
To make the smaller-sized cookies you can make 18 smaller cookies instead of 9 large ones. Bake them for 10 minutes instead of 12 minutes and frost and decorate the same way you would the larger ones.
Caramel apple cookies – Crumbl copycat
Caramel apple cookies- Crumbl copycat
Ingredients
Cookie base recipe
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup Imperial Sugar granulated sugar
- ¼ cup Imperial Sugar dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 tablespoon concentrated apple juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cup AP flour
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Cream cheese frosting
- 5 oz Cream cheese Softened
- 4 tablespoon Butter softened
- 3 tablespoon Caramel sauce Homemade or store bought
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup Imperial Sugar powdered sugar
Homemade streusel
- ¼ cup Flour
- 1 tablespoon Imperial Sugar granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 & ½ tablespoon Butter cold, cubed
- 1 green apple sliced into cubes
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 350F then line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Make the streusel
- Melt the butter on a medium skillet. Remove from the heat and add in the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and mix until fully moistened and the mixture forms little clumps. Return to the heat, stirring frequently until the streusel turns golden brown. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
Make the cookie dough
- Cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in the egg, concentrated apple juice, and vanilla extract, and mix to combine.
- Gently mix in the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, salt,baking soda, and baking powder until the flour mixture disappears
- Using a large cookie scooper (¼ cup or 4 tbsp) scoop out 9 equally sized cookie dough balls, place them on the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool down.
Make the cream cheese frosting
- Cream the cream cheese, and butter, together until smooth and creamy. Add in the powdered sugar, and caramel, and whip until light and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled-down cookies with the cream cheese frosting, top with cubed green apples, a sprinkle of homemade streusel, and a drizzle of caramel. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Shop this recipe
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you I will get a small percentage of every purchase you make!
If you enjoyed this caramel apple recipe recipe make sure to pin it for later!
madi
2 & 1 tbsp Butter cold, cubed
it says this for the streusel how much is that exactly? 2 sticks and 1 tablespoon of 2 cups?
Chahinez
It’s 1 & 1/2 tablespoons; the recipe card has been fixed. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Emma
Hey,I want to make these cookies for thanksgiving and I was wondering if i can make the dough and the frosting the day before to save time?
Chahinez
Apologies for the late response, but yes you can prepare both parts ahead of time 🙂
Darlene
Saw the TikTok video of this recipe. I just made these and they are really good!! The cookie by itself without the toppings taste better to me IMO. I’m not sure how similar they are compared to the Crumbl cookies because I never had the Crumbl version.
Chahinez
The cookie base is really good on its own, I agree with you. Crumbl likes to make their cookies very sugary and it can be too much at times. Glad you enjoyed the cookie though!
Mary
Delicious!
Marcie
I normally don’t post reviews but I HAD to with this recipe! I have NEVER tasted a cookie so delicious! My entire family wowed over these! I made a double batch, used regular granulated sugar and light brown sugar as well as gala apples instead of the green apples the recipe called for since that’s all I had. I only baked them for 10 minutes! These turned out more than amazing! Amazing flavor and amazing look! I am forever grateful for such a wonderful recipe!
Chahinez
It makes me happy to hear that you liked it so much, thank you 🙂
Missy
These cookies are amazing!! Thank you for sharing!
Chahinez
Thank you for making the recipe!
Darla
Hi, I’m planning on making these tomorrow. If I put some apple cider powder mix in, do I need to add more liquid or take anything out of the recipe?
Chahinez
I have never tried baking with apple cider mix so I am not sure how that would affect the cookie dough
Michelle
when a crumble cookie store opened in our town, I asked my kids what was their favorite. They said, Carmel apple. Well, didn’t get to the store in time so I surprised them with this recipe. My daughter said oh! you went to Crumbl Cookie! No, honey, I made them. Was told probably the best thing I had ever made.
Chahinez
That’s beautiful! You nailed it!😁
rani
These cookies are amazing! Can I double the recipe?
Chahinez
Yes you can!
Candice
These cookies were fabulous Chahinez…..everything from the base to the frosting and toppings. You are such a creative and talented young lady and please keep up the great work! I thought I’d let you know that every weekend I pick a different Crumbl copycat cookie to make from your blog and share with my neighbors. Needless to say, I and my neighborhood absolutely adore you!!!
Chahinez
What an awesome comment! Thank you SO much Candice!!!
Katie Wehrheim
I LOVED making these cookies! This is the second recipe that I’ve made of yours’ and I am so happy to have found them!
These cookies turned out amazing but I was a little confused with the texture of the batter, I checked and rechecked my ingredients and as far as I can see I did everything exact. Basically it was consistency of rolled sugar cookies, I had to scoop them but then mold them in my hand before putting on the pan. I also added about another tablespoon of apple juice concentrate. The good news is, they still came out perfect! Super chewy and SO delicious! Any tips on the batter? Is that normal consistency? Regardless, I’d make them again because it worked anyway!
For the frosting I had leftover Browned Butter Maple Pecan Buttercream so I added about half a package of cream cheese to that and whipped it….it was AMAZING on top. I also had some leftover salted caramel to drizzle on top…perfect. I took them on a girls weekend and they loved them!
Next up…your Halloween Black Monster Cookies! I can’t wait to taste them
Chahinez
I’m so happy to hear you loved the cookies! 😊 As for the batter consistency, it sounds like it was a little thicker than expected. This can sometimes happen depending on the flour type or how packed the ingredients are. The texture you described (similar to rolled sugar cookie dough) isn’t uncommon if you’re using a higher-protein flour or if the dough needs a bit more moisture. Adding apple juice concentrate was a great move for extra flavor, and it might have thickened the dough slightly.
If you ever find the batter too thick in the future, you can try adding a bit more liquid (like milk or apple juice) to loosen it up. You can also experiment with the flour measurement—make sure to spoon and level or even better, weigh your ingredients rather than scooping straight from the bag to avoid packing in too much.
I’m so glad the frosting and caramel added that extra touch! Enjoy, and thanks for sharing your experience! 😊
Teresa
Love ❤ love ❤ love this cookie recipe!
The dough bakes up beautifully and creates an amazing cookie that could stand alone …but there are all those toppings which takes it over the top!
Thank you for sharing your masterpieces ❤
Chahinez
What an awesome comment!! You’re so welcome Teresa!
Heather
Thank you for the wonderful recipe. It could be my favorite cookie of all time. The green apple on top I questioned , but that little crunch is perfect. Thanks again
Chahinez
You’re welcome!
Alice
Made these with reduced sugar, apple cider mix, and water. They turned out really good and tasty! Caramelized, chewy, and satisfying! I loved these so much when Crumbl first released them so I am happy to say that this is an excelent copycat! 🙂
Lindsey
These cookies were definitely a project, but I was so impressed when they were done!! they look beautiful and taste amazing, so sorry Crumbl I never have to buy these again 😄
Chahinez
never again!! Enjoy lindsey!
Person
The recipe is great!
When they had the cookies in store I noticed that they had apple cider powdered drink mix, so next time i make this recipe I’m going to play around with putting some of that in the batter and frosting, or if anyone has any suggestions….
Chahinez
The apple cider powder will definitely add an even stronger apple flavor to these cookies!
Alice
should we use the same amount of powder or add more liquids? or should I wing it 😂
Candice
Hi there. I found a box of spiced apple cider at Walmart for a couple of bucks. There are 10 individual pouches and I ended up using one for the base (.74 ounce pack) and it was perfect. Lots of spicy apple flavor in the base 🙂
Kelli
I never rate recipes but I’m gonna rate this one. Soooooooo good. The flavor and texture are amazing. I bake a lot of cookies and this is by far my favorite. Thank you!
Chahinez
Thank you so much!
Hailey
Absolute crowd pleaser! I have been following you for a while and loved every recipe. I had these cookies at an event in person and wanted to try them! Yours are better!
Chahinez
I’m happy to hear they were a hit with everyone Hailey!
Karissa
These are SO good. The cookie is crisp on the edges, but soft in the middle. They could stand alone, but then they are loaded with goodness. Caramel cream cheese frosting just isn’t fair, it’s too good. I might need to make these again for thanksgiving
melissa
do you flatten these any before baking?
Chahinez
No you don’t