Maple Glazed Caramel Apple Sandwich Cookies—77 Stellar Fall Treats

There’s something magical about that first crisp fall morning when I pull out my mixing bowls and start baking these maple glazed caramel apple sandwich cookies. The scent of warm spices, sweet maple, and tart apples fills my kitchen, and suddenly it’s officially autumn in my book. I created this recipe years ago when I wanted to capture all my favorite fall flavors in one perfect bite – tender cookies hugging a gooey caramel apple filling, all kissed with that unmistakable maple syrup glaze. Now my kids know when they smell these baking, it’s time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches, and all the best parts of the season. These cookies have become our little tradition – the kind of treat that tastes like home.

Why You’ll Love These Maple Glazed Caramel Apple Sandwich Cookies

Let me tell you why these cookies have become my absolute favorite fall treat – and why they disappear faster than I can bake them whenever I make them for friends!

• That perfect flavor combo: Imagine biting into a tender cookie where maple syrup’s earthy sweetness meets gooey caramel and tart apples. It’s like autumn in dessert form!
• Surprisingly easy to make: Don’t let the fancy name fool you. These come together with simple ingredients you probably have already (except maybe that irresistible maple syrup).
• Crowd-pleaser magic: I’ve brought these to bake sales, potlucks, and even Thanksgiving – they always get rave reviews and recipe requests.
• Versatile little gems: Perfect with coffee for breakfast (don’t judge!), packed in lunchboxes, or as an after-dinner treat warmed up with vanilla ice cream.
• Kids go wild for them: My niece calls them “apple pie cookies” and always begs me to make extra for her school friends.

Trust me, once you try that first bite where the maple glaze drips into the caramel filling, you’ll be hooked just like we are!

Ingredients for Maple Glazed Caramel Apple Sandwich Cookies

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible cookies – I promise it’s all simple stuff!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (this is crucial!)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff makes a difference)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup finely diced apples (I’ll tell you which kind works best below)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (none of that pancake syrup stuff!)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Let me share my hard-earned tips about these ingredients after making dozens of batches:

Apples: Granny Smith are my go-to – their tartness balances the sweetness perfectly, and they keep their texture when baked. If you must substitute, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady work okay.

Maple syrup: Splurge on the real Grade A dark amber stuff. The depth of flavor makes all the difference! In a pinch, you could use honey, but it’ll taste different.

Caramel sauce: Homemade is dreamy, but a good-quality jarred sauce works great too – just warm it slightly for easier spreading.

Dietary swaps: For gluten-free, use your favorite 1:1 flour blend. Vegan? Try coconut oil instead of butter and flax egg instead of regular egg.

How to Make Maple Glazed Caramel Apple Sandwich Cookies

Okay, let’s get baking! I promise these cookies are easier than they sound – just follow these steps and you’ll have autumn magic in no time.

1. Prep your oven and pans: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. (Trust me, you’ll thank me later when cleanup takes two seconds!)
2. Cream butter and sugar like a pro: In a big bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light, fluffy, and almost white in color – about 2-3 minutes with a mixer. This step makes ALL the difference in texture!
3. Add the wet ingredients: Crack in that egg and splash in the vanilla. Mix just until combined – don’t overdo it.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture, mixing just until no white streaks remain.
5. Shape your cookies: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls (I use a small cookie scoop for this), place them a couple inches apart on your baking sheets, and gently flatten each slightly with your palm.
6. Bake to golden perfection: Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start turning golden brown. They’ll still look slightly soft in the center – that’s perfect! Let them cool completely on the pan.
7. Assemble the magic: Once cool, spread caramel sauce on half the cookies (warm it slightly if it’s too thick), sprinkle with diced apples, drizzle with maple syrup, then top with remaining cookies. Gently press together – voila!

Tips for Perfect Cookies

After making these dozens of times, here are my can’t-live-without tips:

Chill the dough if it’s sticky: If your dough feels too soft after mixing, pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes. This prevents spreading too much during baking.

Warm your caramel sauce: Microwave it for 10-15 seconds to make spreading way easier – just don’t make it piping hot!

Cool completely before filling: I know it’s tempting, but filling warm cookies leads to a melty mess. Patience pays off here.

Use an ice cream scoop: For perfectly even cookies, I swear by my small cookie scoop. Bonus – less messy hands!

Storing and Serving Maple Glazed Caramel Apple Sandwich Cookies

Here’s how I keep these cookies tasting fresh and serve them for maximum wow factor. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature – they’ll stay perfect for about 3 days, though honestly they never last that long in my house! If you want to revive that just-baked magic, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds before serving. I love warming them slightly and adding an extra drizzle of maple syrup on top – it makes the caramel ooze just right. Perfect with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee!

Maple Glazed Caramel Apple Sandwich Cookies Nutritional Info

Let’s be real – we’re not eating these cookies for their health benefits! But since you asked, here’s the nutritional scoop per sandwich cookie (all values are estimates): about 180 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated), 28g carbs, 1g fiber, 12g sugar, and 2g protein. Remember, homemade treats like this will vary slightly based on your exact ingredients and portion sizes. The maple syrup and caramel do most of the sweet work here, so feel free to adjust amounts if you’re watching sugar intake – though personally, I say enjoy every delicious bite!

FAQs About Maple Glazed Caramel Apple Sandwich Cookies

Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these cookies – here are the ones that pop up most often!

Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
You can, but it won’t taste quite the same. Maple syrup gives that deep, earthy sweetness that makes these cookies special. If you must substitute, try half honey half brown sugar to mimic maple’s complexity.

How do I prevent soggy cookies?
Two tricks: 1) Make sure cookies are completely cool before adding filling, and 2) Don’t overdo the caramel – a thin layer is plenty. Also, store them with parchment between layers if stacking.

Can I prep these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake the cookies up to 2 days in advance and store unfilled in an airtight container. Assemble with filling right before serving for best texture.

What’s the best apple alternative if I don’t have Granny Smith?
Any firm, tart apple works. My second choice is Honeycrisp – just pat the diced pieces dry with paper towel first to remove extra juice.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
Probably your butter was too soft! It should be cool enough that you can leave a slight indent with your finger – not greasy or shiny. Also try chilling the dough for 20 minutes before baking.

Share Your Cookie Creations

Nothing makes me happier than seeing your versions of these maple glazed caramel apple sandwich cookies! If you make them, I’d love to hear how they turned out – leave a note in the comments about your favorite part. And if you snap photos, tag me so I can see your beautiful creations!

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