Indulge in the comforting flavors of fall with these delightful Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies. These chewy and soft cookies are packed with juicy apples, hearty oats, and the sweet richness of caramel. With each bite, you'll experience a harmonious blend of autumnal goodness that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cups finely diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1 cup caramel candies, chopped into small pieces

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until just combined.
4. Fold in the oats, diced apples, and chopped caramel candies, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press each dough mound with the back of a spoon to slightly flatten.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still appear slightly soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once the cookies have cooled, serve and enjoy these delectable Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies with a warm cup of cider or your favorite hot beverage. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Note: For an extra touch, you can drizzle some melted caramel over the cooled cookies for added sweetness and presentation.