Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by greasing or lining it with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in the diced apples.

Using a cookie scoop or two tablespoons, drop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie for spreading.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked but will firm up as they cool.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle with the caramel sauce or sprinkle with caramel bits.