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 cups 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 all-purpose 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 dreamed of biting into a warm, soft cookie bursting with gooey caramel, crisp apple, and just the right hint of cinnamon spice, you’re in for a treat. This Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe is one of my all-time favorites, and I can’t wait to share it with you because it truly hits all the right notes. Trust me, once you try this recipe, your kitchen will smell like fall, and your friends and family will be begging you for more!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The blend of cinnamon-spiced cookie dough with tangy apple and sweet caramel frosting is absolutely dreamy.
Texture Heaven: Soft, chewy cookies topped with creamy frosting and a crunchy apple-cinnamon streusel — every bite is a delight.
Copycat Fun: If you’ve ever hoped to replicate Crumbl’s famous caramel apple cookie, this recipe nails it at home.
Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: My whole family goes crazy for these, and I bet yours will too!

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, Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat, Fall Cookies with Caramel and Apples, Soft Apple Cookies with Cinnamon, Easy Caramel Apple Cookie Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe, I carefully chose ingredients that blend classic fall flavors with that signature soft cookie texture. Don’t worry — the ingredients are easy to find, but I’ve included some tips to make your baking stress-free.

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, Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat, Fall Cookies with Caramel and Apples, Soft Apple Cookies with Cinnamon, Easy Caramel Apple Cookie Recipe

Butter: Use softened butter for the dough and frosting, but cold butter for the streusel to get that perfect crumbly texture.
Imperial Sugar granulated and powdered sugar: I love using Imperial Sugar for its consistency and sweetness that balances the tart apples perfectly.
Dark brown sugar: Adds depth and a little molasses flavor — this is key for that rich cookie taste.
Large egg: Make sure it’s room temperature so it blends well and keeps the dough tender.
Concentrated apple juice: This little addition layers in extra apple flavor, making these cookies sing with autumn vibes.
Vanilla extract: A must-have for warmth and balance.
All-purpose flour: Use fresh flour for best results — it forms the sturdy base for the cookie.
Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice): The spice mix creates that signature falling-leaves-in-the-kitchen aroma you’ll adore.
Baking soda and baking powder: For lightness and slight rise — don’t skip or swap!
Salt: Salt enhances the caramel and apple flavors beautifully.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese makes the frosting tangy and luscious.
Caramel sauce: You can use homemade or store-bought — I like to drizzle extra on top for good measure.
Green apple: Fresh, crisp cubes bring that juicy pop and tart contrast that makes this cookie unique.

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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 how versatile this Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe is — once you get the base down, you can totally customize it to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few twists I enjoy:

Dairy-Free Variation: I once swapped cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative, and surprisingly it held up well for the frosting — just make sure your caramel sauce is dairy-free too.
Spice it Up: Sometimes I like to add a pinch more cinnamon or even a tiny dash of cayenne for a subtle kick. It’s unexpected but amazing!
Apple Variety: Granny Smith is classic, but Fuji or Honeycrisp apples also add a lovely sweet-tart balance you might enjoy.
Extra Caramel: Drizzling thick homemade caramel on top after baking takes these from great to next-level indulgent.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Space

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes clean-up a breeze and helps keep those cookies from sticking. I like to prep all my ingredients first – have the butter softened, apples diced, and spices measured so everything flows smoothly once you start mixing.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, beat together the softened 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup dark brown sugar until creamy and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, making your cookies tender. Add in your room temperature egg, followed by 2 tablespoons concentrated apple juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – these add that bright, fruity nuance I love.

Next, whisk together your dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/8 teaspoon allspice, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture until just combined — don’t overmix or the cookies can get tough.

Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Caramel Frosting

In a separate bowl, blend 5 ounces softened cream cheese with 4 tablespoons softened butter until smooth and creamy. Stir in 3 tablespoons caramel sauce and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Slowly mix in 3/4 cup powdered sugar until fluffy and spreadable. This frosting is tangy, sweet, and just a little bit dreamy — perfect for that Crumbl copycat vibe!

Step 4: Prepare the Streusel Topping

Mix together 1/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in 1 1/2 tablespoons cold, cubed butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly. This streusel adds a fantastic crunch on top that beautifully contrasts the soft cookie and creamy frosting.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Scoop your cookie dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space for spreading. Bake for about 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden – you want the centers to stay soft. Let the cookies cool slightly before gently spreading the cream cheese caramel frosting on top.

After frosting, sprinkle the streusel over each cookie, add a few cubes of fresh green apple, and drizzle with extra caramel sauce if you’re feeling indulgent. These finishing touches are what take the recipe from tasty to showstopper.

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Pro Tips for Making Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: I learned this trick early – having your butter and egg softened means your dough blends perfectly and bakes evenly.
Apple Juice Boost: Adding concentrated apple juice truly deepens the apple flavor without making the dough watery.
Don’t Skip the Streusel: This crumble topping makes a huge difference in texture and adds a delightful, buttery crunch.
Cool Before Frosting: I’ve messed this up before by frosting warm cookies — the frosting melts off! Let them cool just enough to retain that creamy layer.

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, Caramel Apple Cookies Crumbl Copycat, Fall Cookies with Caramel and Apples, Soft Apple Cookies with Cinnamon, Easy Caramel Apple Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing these cookies with a light drizzle of warm caramel sauce and a few thin apple slices or even a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. It ups the flavor profile and gives you those little wow moments with each bite.

Side Dishes

Pair these with a cup of chai tea or a caramel latte to echo the warm spices. They’re also fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to serve a dessert plate that feels extra indulgent.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve brought these Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe to Thanksgiving dessert spreads, placing them on a rustic wooden board with apple wedges and cinnamon sticks for a cozy, inviting look. They’re also perfect gifted in small boxes tied with twine — everyone loves receiving these little fall treasures!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I find this keeps them nice and soft. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration helps, but bring them back to room temp before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. I like to freeze the baked cookies without frosting, wrapped individually on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw completely, then spread on the frosting and add toppings fresh.

Reheating

To warm up your cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. Just avoid overheating, or the frosting can melt away. A quick warm-up brings back that fresh-baked magic I adore.

FAQs

Can I make these Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder, so your cookies hold together well. You might notice a slightly different texture, but the flavors remain just as fantastic.
Can I use other types of apples?

Yes! While green apples like Granny Smith provide the best tartness and crunch, you can use Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala if you prefer a sweeter bite. Just keep the cubes small to distribute evenly and avoid sogginess.
How do I make my own caramel sauce for this recipe?

Making caramel sauce at home is simpler than you might think—just melt sugar slowly until golden, then carefully add butter and cream, stirring until smooth. You can find my favorite homemade caramel sauce recipe linked in the notes, or pick up a good-quality store-bought version to save time.
Can I prepare the frosting ahead of time?

Definitely. The cream cheese caramel frosting can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir to soften before spreading on your cookies.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Caramel Apple Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe brings cozy fall vibes right into my kitchen. When I first tried recreating Crumbl’s famous cookie, I used to struggle with getting the balance just right between spice, sweetness, and that fresh apple bite. After a few tries, this version nailed it perfectly every time, and honestly, it feels so rewarding to share a homemade treat that tastes like it came from a bakery! So grab your apron and try this recipe — I promise you’ll impress everyone who takes a bite. Happy baking!