Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprint Cookies

Make your fall baking even sweeter with these Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprint Cookies! They’re soft, spiced cookies rolled in a cinnamon-sugar topping, baked until golden, and finished with a gooey caramel center perfect for your cozy season treat.

horizontal Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprints

I love making these Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprints every fall! They remind me of caramel apples from the county fair, but in a cozy, bite-sized form.

The warm spices make my whole kitchen smell amazing while they bake, and the gooey caramel center always gets rave reviews from friends and family. It’s not a surprise since every bite tastes like caramel apples in cookie form!

For the caramel centers, you can either use a jar of caramel topping, OR you can make your own using the topping from my Salted Caramel Brownie recipe.

These are simple to make but look bakery-worthy, making them a fun recipe to whip up for family gatherings or to give as edible gifts. With these and my Apple Pie Cupcakes as an addition to your fall menu this year, it’s surely going to be a hit!

🧾 Ingredients Needed

Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprints ingredients

For the topping:

Sugar
Apple Pie Spice

For the dough:

Flour
Apple Pie Spice
Baking powder
Salt
Butter
Sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
Jar of Caramel Topping or Homemade Caramel Topping

📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!

🔁 Variations

Sprinkle a touch of flaky sea salt over the caramel centers for a sweet-salty combo.
Swap caramel for spiced apple butter for that extra apple flavor this fall!
Use chocolate ganache instead of caramel for a richer, flavorful alternative.

🥣 How to Make

STEP ONE: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, and salt.

STEP TWO: In a separate bowl, beat butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until creamy.

STEP THREE: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, then knead into a dough.

STEP FOUR: For the topping, mix sugar and apple pie spice. Roll dough into balls and coat in topping mixture.

STEP FIVE: Place on a baking sheet, press a small indentation in the center of each, and chill for 2-3 hours. Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.

STEP SIX: Fill each indentation with caramel and bake for another 5 minutes. Let cool until the caramel sets.

⭐ Pro Tips ⭐

Chill the dough well before baking! This helps cookies keep their shape.
Use a teaspoon or your thumb to press neat indentations before baking.
If caramel is too soft after baking, let the cookies cool completely first, then refrigerate briefly.
For gifting purposes, line a cookie tin with parchment so caramel centers don't stick together.

More Fall Apple Recipe Ideas

If you tried this Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprints recipe or any other recipe on my site, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing your about your results and thoughts!

📖 Recipe

Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprints

Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprint Cookies are soft, spiced cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar and filled with gooey caramel. They're easy to make, festive, and perfect for fall or holiday gatherings!

For Topping:

3 cup sugar
½ teaspoon seasoning for apple pie

For Dough:

2 ½ cup flour
1 ½ teaspoon seasoning for apple pie
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
¾ cup sugar
1 pc egg
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cup caramel topping

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate bowl, beat butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until creamy.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, then knead into a dough.
For the topping, mix sugar and apple pie spice. Roll dough into balls and coat in topping mixture.
Place on a baking sheet, press a small indentation in the center of each, and chill for 2-3 hours. Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.
Fill each indentation with caramel and bake for another 5 minutes. Let cool until the caramel sets.