Heavenly Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe

Soft, buttery cookies meet a decadent surprise with these cheesecake-stuffed caramel apple cookies that promise pure indulgence.

The classic autumn treat takes an unexpected twist with creamy cheesecake nestled inside each warm, spiced cookie.

Tender apples and rich caramel mingle perfectly within each delightful bite.

Cinnamon and brown sugar add warmth to this irresistible dessert that brings comfort and excitement to your baking routine.

Sweet aromas will fill your kitchen as these cookies bake to golden perfection.

Each cookie delivers a delicious combination of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You won’t be able to resist the allure of these incredible treats that blend classic fall ingredients into one extraordinary dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need For Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies

• Cream Cheese: Creamy base that adds rich, tangy texture to the filling, best when softened at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes, choose pure vanilla for best results.

• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and tender texture, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and moisture to the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and creates soft, chewy texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient that gives cookies their structure.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement apple and caramel flavors.
• Apples: Fresh, diced fruit that adds natural sweetness and slight tartness.
• Caramel Bits: Provides pockets of gooey sweetness throughout the cookie.
• Caramel Sauce: Final drizzle that intensifies the caramel experience.
• Sea Salt: Optional topping that creates delightful sweet-salty contrast.

Kitchen Tools For Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies

• Electric mixer: Perfect for whipping cream cheese and sugars to creamy perfection.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cookie dough ingredients smoothly.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients separately.
• Baking sheet: Crucial for baking cookies with even heat distribution.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain crisp edges.
• Knife or cutting board: Used for dicing apples into small pieces.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding ingredients and scraping bowl sides.

Steps To Bake Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies

• Create Creamy Cheesecake Center

Whip together soft cream cheese with sweet sugar and fragrant vanilla until silky smooth. Drop tiny clouds of this mixture onto a chilled tray and freeze until solid.

• Mix Magical Cookie Base

Blend softened butter with rich brown and white sugars until fluffy and dreamy. Add an egg and vanilla, stirring until everything connects beautifully. In another bowl, combine flour, rising agents, warm spices, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Carefully mix in crisp apple chunks and gooey caramel pieces.

• Shape Delicious Cookie Treasures

Heat the oven to a cozy 350F. Grab a spoonful of dough and flatten it slightly. Place a frozen cheesecake dollop right in the center. Cover with another scoop of dough, sealing the edges completely to hide the creamy surprise inside. Space cookies generously on a lined baking sheet.

• Bake and Embellish

Slide the tray into the oven and bake until edges turn golden and cookies look perfectly set. Let them rest briefly on the baking sheet, then move to a cooling rack. For extra indulgence, drizzle with warm caramel and sprinkle a touch of sea salt.

Helpful Hints For Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies

• Pro Baking Tricks: Keep Cookies Perfect
• Chill Dough Magic: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain thick, chewy texture.
• Freeze Filling Hack: Always freeze cheesecake dollops to ensure they stay intact during baking and create a delightful molten center.
• Apple Selection Secret: Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for best texture and balanced sweetness in the cookies.
• No-Fail Sealing Technique: Gently press cookie dough edges together, ensuring no cheesecake filling peeks out to prevent leaking during baking.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap cream cheese with coconut cream and use vegan butter for a plant-based friendly version that maintains rich flavor profile.

Fun Ways To Serve Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange these decadent cookies on a rustic wooden board with scattered caramel bits and a small dipping bowl of extra caramel sauce for guests to enjoy.
• Dessert Pairing Paradise: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or pair with a warm chai latte to complement the cookie's rich autumn spices and fruity apple notes.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a cinnamon-colored ribbon, perfect for holiday gifting or as a thoughtful homemade treat for friends and family.
• Coffee Break Companion: Create a cozy afternoon snack moment by placing these cookies on a vintage plate next to a steaming mug of coffee or hot apple cider for an indulgent break.

Store Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies The Easy Way

• Chilling Technique: Freeze cheesecake dollops for precise shape and controlled melting during baking, ensuring a perfect filling-to-cookie ratio without messy leakage.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store finished cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining soft texture and preventing caramel from hardening.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough and cheesecake filling 2-3 days in advance, keeping them separately wrapped in the refrigerator for quick assembly when craving strikes.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Unbaked stuffed cookies can be frozen flat on a baking sheet, then transferred to freezer bags for storage up to 3 months – bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.

Gooey Cheesecake-Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Caramel apple cheesecake-stuffed cookies blend autumn’s sweetest flavors in one irresistible treat. Warm spices and creamy cheesecake center make these cookies a delightful seasonal indulgence you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup diced apple (peeled & finely chopped)
• ½ cup caramel bits or soft caramels (chopped)
• ¼ cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 4 oz (113 grams) cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp sea salt (optional, for salted caramel flavor)

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Instructions

1. Cheesecake Preparation: Blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Create petite dollops on parchment paper and freeze for 30 minutes until firm.
2. Cookie Dough Foundation: Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl.
3. Dough Assembly: Combine dry ingredients with butter mixture, mixing minimally. Incorporate diced apples and caramel fragments, ensuring even distribution.
4. Oven Configuration and Initial Shaping: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line baking sheet with parchment. Scoop cookie dough, create a center indentation, and nestle frozen cheesecake dollop inside.
5. Cookie Formation and Baking: Completely encase cheesecake center with additional dough, sealing edges thoroughly. Space cookies adequately on baking sheet to allow expansion.
6. Baking and Cooling: Bake until edges turn golden and centers stabilize, roughly 12-15 minutes. Rest cookies briefly on baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack.
7. Final Embellishment: Drizzle with warm caramel sauce and sprinkle sea salt for an elevated finishing touch.

Notes

• Freeze Filling Precisely: Ensure cheesecake dollops are completely frozen to prevent melting during cookie assembly, maintaining structural integrity and creamy texture.
• Handle Dough Gently: Minimal mixing prevents gluten development, keeping cookies tender and soft with a delicate crumb structure.
• Control Apple Moisture: Pat diced apples dry to avoid excess liquid that could make cookie dough soggy or spread incorrectly during baking.
• Seal Edges Carefully: Completely cover cheesecake center to prevent filling leakage, using fingertips to smooth and seal dough edges seamlessly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg