Description
These Apple Pie Cookies are a delightful blend of classic apple pie flavors and soft, buttery cookies. They feature crisp edges, a chewy center, and are filled with sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples, offering a perfect taste of autumn.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the apple filling:
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, finely chopped – ~1½ cups)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- For the cookie dough:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for added warmth)
- Optional topping:
- Extra cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
- Caramel drizzle (for a fall desserts caramel apple twist)
Instructions
- Cook the apple filling: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir and cook for 5–7 minutes, or until apples soften. Mix in the cornstarch and cook for another 1–2 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and optional cinnamon. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Assemble the cookies: Scoop dough into small balls (about 1½ tablespoons each). Flatten each ball into a disc and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, press a small well into the center of each cookie.
- Fill and bake: Spoon a small amount of apple filling into each cookie well. If desired, roll out extra dough and cut thin strips to lay over the filling in a lattice pattern. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Add finishing touches: Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while warm, or drizzle with caramel sauce for a fall desserts caramel apple vibe.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a tart contrast or sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji.
- Ensure the apple filling is completely cooled before adding it to the cookie dough to prevent the dough from melting.
- Avoid overbaking; the cookies should be just set when removed from the oven.
- If the dough is sticky, chill it before baking to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Consider adding nuts, maple syrup, or even a sprinkle of cheddar cheese for creative variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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