Autumn in a Bite.
Autumn has officially arrived. There was resistance at first. You better believe it.
I didn't want to relinquish my iron grip on Summer with it's melting popsicles, hot breezes and sunny afternoons. I'd have to say goodbye to sun tanning, BBQs and picnics. Don't even mention all the flowers, beaches and campfires I'd be missing.
Then the leaves started changing and I realized I could wear jeans without roasting to death. I do love pretty colours. I'm also pretty fond of my jeans.
So you won me over Autumn. You hear that? You just might be my favourite season, ok? Are you happy now?
So I made cookies for Autumn to smooth over our awkward new relationship. They have apple. They have cinnamon. They have caramel. They're pretty much Autumn in a bite.
Caramel Apple Surprise Cookies
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Source: My imagination.
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup apple, skinned and chopped
3 dozen caramels, flattened slightly
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and position a rack in the center. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla then blend it in. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt then stir it into the butter mixture. Gently mix in the chopped apples. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to stiffen it up.
Scoop a heaping tbsp of dough for each cookie then roll it into a ball and flatten it into a disc between your palms. Place the slightly smushed caramel into the center and fold the edges of dough to cover it well, making sure to pinch any edges that meet. Form it back into a ball and place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake them for 10 – 11 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Transfer them to a cooling rack and enjoy!
September 30th, 2010 - 10:03
These look so great!! Love them!!
September 30th, 2010 - 10:26
Nice combination of ingredients! I am not sure if we’re ready for Autumn though in LA. I love your apple tower.
September 30th, 2010 - 10:34
Mind blown!
Caramel and apple might be the best flavour combination since PB&J!
Can you tell me how you take such beautiful pictures?! You must have a lightbox. If so.. can you tell me where you got it and (if you don’t mind me asking) how much it set you back? I need one!
R.
September 30th, 2010 - 10:38
Thank you so much, Rachèle!
I actually don’t use a lightbox. I take all my photos in indirect natural light next to a window in my kitchen with a clean white backdrop. I had considered making my own lightbox, but this method works for me most days when the sun is out anyways.
October 1st, 2010 - 16:03
Check out my Friday Favorites blog! You might see something familiar!
akajolie.blogspot.com
October 2nd, 2010 - 00:51
I feel like a blog-stalker now with the third comment, but congrats on the Top 9! I’m going to go ahead and assume that it was my plug that got you in there! Haha. I kid, of course!
But seriously, I can’t wait to make these.
October 2nd, 2010 - 08:16
Thank you! You’re not a blog stalker, you’re just very attentive.
September 30th, 2010 - 11:01
The caramel is definitely a pleasant surprise to this cookie
September 30th, 2010 - 11:02
These cookies definitely have autumn written all over them. What a wonderful surprise center with the caramel! Maybe rolos next time?
September 30th, 2010 - 11:47
I love that you placed the caramel inside the cookie for a little surprise! I just bought some of those caramels so I may be trying this recipe soon
Welcome to the Fall lover club!
September 30th, 2010 - 12:41
Great recipe. I may try this fairly soon.
September 30th, 2010 - 12:50
I haven’t had those caramels in forever! These cookies look really delicious. I actually said mmm outloud after I saw the surprise. Put these on a stick!
September 30th, 2010 - 13:01
I love inducing virtual Mmms. You know, I really should have thought of the stick thing.
September 30th, 2010 - 13:43
Welcoming it with open arms! Wish I had some of these to do so.
September 30th, 2010 - 14:26
You have me sold! I wanted to make cookies this afternoon, and I don’t know if anything could sound better than an apple cookie with a melted caramel candy nestled inside. Thanks for sharing this with me. I’m hungry now!
September 30th, 2010 - 14:51
You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy them!
September 30th, 2010 - 14:50
These cookies sound delicious, I’ll have to give them a try.
September 30th, 2010 - 17:10
these are so creative and look so yummy!
September 30th, 2010 - 20:21
I really love your photos! Thank you PFB for making the food blogging community seem a little smaller
September 30th, 2010 - 21:48
Thanks Kristin! I’m so glad I found you too!
September 30th, 2010 - 21:41
delicious autumn cookies
September 30th, 2010 - 22:48
These look so, so good! I’ve had a never-ending summer here in Phoenix and am more than ready to get rid of it!
October 1st, 2010 - 06:39
I love cookies, but I am not a chocolate chip lover. But caramel… Love this recipe and lovely pics!
October 1st, 2010 - 09:36
Thanks! It always makes me smile when someone compliments my photos.
October 1st, 2010 - 09:21
Man, you do just have the cutest blog on the planet. I love these photos!
October 1st, 2010 - 09:36
Thank you so much Heather!
October 1st, 2010 - 21:31
Oooh, these look delicious! I’ve never heard of a caramel apple cookie. Definitely want to give these a try!
October 2nd, 2010 - 00:11
What a delicious surprise to find in a cookie. I know I’d enjoy biting into those any day.
October 2nd, 2010 - 00:40
Congrats on making food buzz top nine! Great post!
October 2nd, 2010 - 10:46
Oh these are genius! Loving the idea of a caramel filling! Wow!
October 2nd, 2010 - 11:44
I will try these when (within a couple of weeks) my apple tree FINALLY is ready to pick. Thanks for the lovely photos.
October 2nd, 2010 - 14:29
Your pictures are adorable! So cute. You caramel filling makes we want to wish that I was autumn all year around
October 2nd, 2010 - 15:18
These cookies sound delicious!
October 3rd, 2010 - 08:28
Congrats on making the Top 9 on FoodBuzz! Again
Creative recipe and the pics are so beautiful I could eat the leaves 
February 7th, 2011 - 12:06
I was just making these and i noticed that you have nutmeg listed in the recipe but nutmeg is not mentioned on your list of ingredients, is nutmeg included or added by mistake?
February 7th, 2011 - 18:15
Oh thanks for the heads up. Nutmeg isn’t actually supposed to be in the recipe, but if you wanted to add half a teaspoon I’m sure it would e great!