Description
These Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with fall flavors! Each bite features a delicious apple-spiced cookie filled with a creamy cheesecake center, drizzled with gooey caramel for the perfect indulgence.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
For Topping:
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- Sea salt (optional)
Instructions
-
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Scoop teaspoon-sized portions onto a parchment-lined plate and freeze for 30 minutes.
-
Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in chopped apples.
-
Assemble the Cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop 1 ½ tablespoons of dough, flatten slightly, and place a frozen cheesecake piece in the center.
- Cover with another piece of dough, sealing the edges.
- Place on the baking sheet, leaving space between cookies.
-
Bake:
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
-
Add Caramel & Serve:
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the cookies and sprinkle with sea salt if desired.
- Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith for the best texture.
- Freezing the cheesecake filling helps prevent it from melting too quickly.
- Warm cookies slightly before serving for the best gooey caramel effect.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg