Description
This Caramel Apple Skillet Cookie is a deliciously warm and gooey treat featuring soft, caramelized apples atop a thick, chewy cookie base baked right in a cast-iron skillet. Finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce and an optional scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s a perfect cozy dessert for fall or any time you’re craving comforting sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Topping
- 2 medium Apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Butter, softened
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
Finishing
- 1/4 cup Caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or another oven-safe skillet to prevent sticking.
- Caramelize Apples: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes until the apples become soft and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt by whisking them together evenly. This will ensure proper leavening and seasoning in the cookie dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step helps incorporate air for a lighter cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender dough.
- Incorporate Oats and Chocolate Chips: Fold in the rolled oats and semisweet chocolate chips, if using, to add texture and bursts of chocolate flavor.
- Assemble in Skillet: Spread the cookie dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared skillet. Then, evenly distribute the caramelized apples over the top of the dough.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cookie is fully baked.
- Cool and Finish: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the cookie to cool for 5-10 minutes. Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra sweetness and richness.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamy contrast. Enjoy your decadent Caramel Apple Skillet Cookie!
Notes
- Use a cast-iron or other oven-safe skillet approximately 10 inches in diameter for best results.
- Granny Smith apples provide tartness while Honeycrisp apples offer sweetness; choose based on your flavor preference.
- The cookie can be customized by omitting chocolate chips if desired.
- For easier slicing, let the skillet cookie cool slightly before serving.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
