Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe
If you’re anything like me, the moment you hear the words Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies, you get excited about the cozy combination of tart apples, sweet caramel, and warm spices all nestled inside a soft, vegan cookie. These cookies bring the comforting flavors of autumn right to your fingertips with fresh apple chunks, a luscious caramel center, and a dreamy cream cheese frosting on top. They are not just treats; they’re a celebration of texture and taste—spicy, sweet, and completely irresistible. Trust me, once you try these Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies, they’ll become a fast favorite for your snack time or dessert cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of making these Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies lies in the simplicity and intention behind every ingredient. Each one plays a crucial role, whether it’s adding moisture, flavor, or that perfect spice hit that makes your taste buds sing.
- Chopped apples (180g): Fresh apples bring a natural burst of juiciness and a lovely tart balance to the cookie’s sweetness.
- Caster sugar (for filling and cookies): Adds the perfect gentle sweetness without overpowering the spices.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential for that classic warm and spicy note reminiscent of cozy apple desserts.
- Cornflour (cornstarch): Thickens the apple filling, giving it a lovely jammy texture that binds everything together beautifully.
- Lemon juice: Adds a fresh zing and prevents the apple filling from browning too quickly.
- Dairy-free butter: Provides richness and helps create tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie dough.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and adds fragrant depth to your cookies.
- Dairy-free milk: Keeps the dough moist and soft without any animal products.
- Plain flour: The base that holds the cookie together with a nice light crumb.
- Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda: Work their magic to make the cookies rise just right and maintain a soft texture.
- Natures Charm Coconut Caramel Sauce: Brings gooey, luscious caramel flavor right into the heart of the cookie.
- Cinnamon sugar: A simple sprinkle on top before baking adds a delightful crunch and extra spice spark.
- Dairy-free cream cheese and Oat Whipping Cream: Create a silky, tangy frosting that complements the sweet and spicy cookie perfectly.
- Icing sugar and vanilla bean seeds: Sweeten and frost your cookies with an elegant flavor and texture.
How to Make Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
Start by washing, coring, and chopping your apples into small bite-sized pieces. You’ll use most of the apples for a lightly spiced filling, but save about a third to add later directly to the cookie dough itself for that fresh apple burst in every bite. Cooking the filling slowly with sugar, cinnamon, cornflour, and lemon juice transforms it into a thick and jellified mixture that tastes like pure autumn bliss.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough
Next, cream your dairy-free butter and sugar until fluffy and light—this is the base for your cookie’s soft texture. Adding vanilla and dairy-free milk makes the dough smooth and perfectly moist. When the dry ingredients such as flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and bicarbonate of soda join the party, the dough is ready. Finally, gently fold in the reserved fresh apple pieces to keep that juicy apple sensation alive inside the cookie.
Step 3: Add the Caramel and Shape the Cookies
Now comes the fun part—scooping your dough into balls, filling each with a surprise dollop of coconut caramel sauce, and topping with cinnamon sugar for that toasty sweet finish. Remember to leave the cookie dough in balls and don’t press them down; they spread just right while baking. After baking, shaping them with a cookie cutter ensures a neat presentation and perfect thickness.
Step 4: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting
The frosting is like the crowning glory. Whip together your dairy-free butter, cream cheese, and oat whipping cream until silky smooth, then sweeten with icing sugar and vanilla bean seeds. If the frosting gets too thin or splits, adding a little more butter will rescue it. Pipe this luscious frosting onto the cooled cookies to add that rich, tangy contrast to the sweet and spicy base.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Once your cookies have cooled, pipe a generous swirl of cream cheese frosting on each one, drizzle with more caramel sauce, then top with a spoonful of the apple pie filling. A dusting of icing sugar finishes them off beautifully. Pop them in the fridge briefly to set, then prepare to enjoy some seriously unforgettable Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies.
How to Serve Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few cinnamon dust flakes or a light dusting of extra icing sugar on top for a pretty, rustic look that hints at all the flavors inside. You can even add a tiny apple slice or drizzle a little extra caramel sauce just before serving for an extra-special touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of chai tea or your favorite plant-based latte. If you want something more substantial, serve alongside a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a small bowl of fresh fruit salad to keep the fruity theme going.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not arrange your Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies on a wooden board with some crisp apple slices and cinnamon sticks? Or stack them with parchment paper in between for a charming homemade gift. They also make delightful party favors nestled inside a rustic burlap bag tied with twine, perfect for sharing your love of vegan baking with friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and frosted, these cookies keep best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Bringing them back to room temperature before eating really brings out the softness and flavors. They usually stay delicious for up to three days — though they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to a month without losing their magic. Thaw them overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before serving for best taste and texture.
Reheating
To warm your cookies, gently heat them in the oven at a low temperature (around 150°C) for 5-7 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness and melts the caramel a little, making every bite as dreamy as when they first came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use any type of apple for these cookies?
Absolutely! Choose any crisp variety you love. Granny Smith apples offer tartness, while sweeter apples like Fuji or Gala add a mild sweetness—both work beautifully, so pick your favorite flavor profile.
What if I don’t have coconut caramel sauce?
You can substitute with any vegan caramel sauce or even make a quick homemade version with coconut milk and brown sugar. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold up inside the cookie without running everywhere.
Is it possible to make these nut-free?
Yes! This recipe doesn’t include nuts by default, but always double-check your ingredients to ensure they’re processed in a nut-free environment if allergies are a concern.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can swap the plain flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be aware texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still be heavenly.
Do these cookies freeze well with the frosting already on?
For best results, freeze the cookies without frosting, then thaw and add the cream cheese frosting fresh before serving. This keeps the texture of the frosting intact and visually appealing.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about these Vegan Caramel Apple Cookies that makes baking them feel like a warm hug on a chilly day. The mix of fresh apples, luscious caramel, and fluffy frosting creates a taste sensation you’ll want to keep coming back to. I can’t wait for you to make them and share the joy with your loved ones—because these cookies aren’t just food; they’re a little celebration of love and comfort. Give them a try and watch how quickly they disappear!
