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- Oats, flour, and baking ingredients - 1 cup rolled oats - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon salt These dry ingredients form the base of the cookies. The oats add texture and heartiness. The flour gives structure while the baking soda helps them rise. Cinnamon and nutmeg give a warm, cozy flavor. - Sweeteners and fats - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup granulated sugar These sweeteners bring out the flavor and help create a chewy texture. The butter adds richness. The brown sugar gives a lovely caramel note. - Apples and caramel details - 1 cup diced apples (peeled) - 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling) Apples add moisture and sweetness. They also provide a fresh crunch in every bite. The caramel sauce enhances the cookie's sweet flavor and adds a gooey texture. - Optional ingredients like walnuts - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Walnuts add a nice crunch and nutty flavor. You can skip them if you prefer a nut-free cookie. They also help create a more balanced texture. 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps your cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy. 2. In a medium bowl, mix the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients until they are well combined. 3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix them until they are light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step adds air to your dough. 4. Beat in one large egg and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until the wet ingredients blend well together. 1. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix. This keeps the cookies soft. 2. Gently fold in diced apples, half a cup of caramel sauce, and chopped walnuts if you choose to include them. Make sure everything is evenly distributed in the dough. 1. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between each cookie. They will spread a bit while baking. 2. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges. This is a good sign your cookies are done. 3. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. 4. Once cool, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cookies for a sweet finish. Enjoy your delightful fall treat! - To ensure chewy cookies, underbake them slightly. They will firm up as they cool. - For crispy cookies, bake until the edges are golden brown. This gives a nice crunch. - Store fresh cookies in an airtight container. This keeps them soft and tasty. - For larger cookies, add a minute or two to the baking time. Keep an eye on them. - If you run out of brown sugar, use white sugar mixed with molasses. This works well. - Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice contrast. They add great flavor. - For nut-free cookies, simply leave out the walnuts. You can add more oats instead. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your caramel apple oatmeal cookies easily. Adding spices like ginger or allspice gives them a warm, cozy taste. Just a pinch can make a big difference. You can also swap in dark chocolate chips or butterscotch chips. This adds a rich, sweet layer to the cookies. - Spices: Try 1/4 teaspoon of ginger or allspice. - Chips: Replace half the caramel with chocolate or butterscotch chips. These simple changes can make your cookies unique and exciting. If you want gluten-free cookies, try using almond flour or oat flour instead of all-purpose flour. This makes the cookies lighter and still delicious. You can also make vegan options by replacing butter and egg. Use coconut oil for the butter and mashed banana or applesauce for the egg. - Gluten-Free: Use 1 cup of almond or oat flour. - Vegan: Substitute 1/2 cup coconut oil for butter and 1/4 cup applesauce for egg. These swaps let everyone enjoy the cookies, no matter their diet! To keep your caramel apple oatmeal cookies fresh, store them at room temperature. Use an airtight container to avoid moisture. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. This method keeps cookies soft and chewy for days. If you want to store them longer, consider refrigerating. Place cookies in a sealed container with a piece of bread. The bread helps maintain moisture. They will last about a week in the fridge. For long-term storage, freeze your cookies. Wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag or container. They stay fresh for up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw them at room temperature. These cookies stay fresh for about five days at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, they last about a week. Look for signs of spoilage. If cookies become hard or have an off smell, it’s time to toss them. Always check for mold as well. Enjoy your delicious treat while they’re fresh! Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats? Yes, you can use quick oats. They will change the texture a bit. Quick oats make cookies softer and chewier. If you prefer a chewier cookie, stick with rolled oats. How do I make the cookies softer? To make the cookies softer, use less flour. You can also add more caramel sauce. Bake for a shorter time, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove them when the edges are just golden. Can I skip the nuts in the recipe? Absolutely! You can skip the walnuts if you want. The cookies will still taste great. If you want some crunch, consider adding oats or seeds instead. What should I do if the dough is too sticky? If the dough is sticky, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This helps the butter firm up. You can also add a little more flour to make it easier to handle. This article covered every step for making delicious cookies. We discussed ingredient choices, from oats to apples, and shared easy steps to make the dough. I also provided tips for perfect cookies and ideas for tasty variations. Now, you have the tools to create cookies that fit your taste. Baking can be fun, so get creative with flavors and ingredients. Enjoy your cookie-making adventure, and remember to share your treats with friends!

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Indulge in the perfect fall treat with these delightful Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies! Bursting with the flavors of juicy apples, warm spices, and a rich caramel drizzle, these cookies blend comforting oats with a sweet twist. Easy to make in just 30 minutes, they are perfect for sharing or enjoying yourself. Click through to get the full recipe and savor the taste of autumn in every bite!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup diced apples (peeled)

1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together until well mixed.

      In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

        Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

          Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

            Gently fold in the diced apples, caramel sauce, and chopped walnuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

              Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie as they will spread slightly while baking.

                Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

                  Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

                    Once cooled, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cookies for an extra touch of sweetness.

                      Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies