If you’re on the hunt for a delightful treat that captures the heart of a classic dessert but in a handy, bite-sized form, this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these cookies come out with warm cinnamon-spiced apple filling nestled inside soft, buttery cookie dough — it’s like having apple pie in every snackable, portable cookie. Stick around because I’ll walk you through everything, share my favorite tips, and help you nail these cozy treats no matter your baking skill level!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the flavors of apple pie: The cinnamon-spiced apple filling inside a buttery cookie gives you the classic taste in cookie form.
- Perfectly soft, tender cookies: Using cornstarch in the dough keeps these cookies nice and tender, not tough.
- Great for any occasion: These snacks are perfect for fall gatherings, holiday treats, or an indulgent everyday dessert.
- Simple technique with impressive results: I’ll share the tricks I learned that make this recipe easy to follow for total success.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to these scrumptious apple pie cookies lies in combining fragrant spices, fresh apples, and a tender cookie dough base that highlights all those cozy pie flavors. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll want to have on hand—and some tips to make shopping easier.
- Apples: Use firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so they hold their shape well when cooked.
- Light brown sugar: Adds that deep caramel note essential for apple pie flavors.
- Butter: Use unsalted for full control over salt levels; softened butter helps with dough texture, but melted butter is great for mixing certain parts.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the filling thick and helps make your cookies tender—don’t skip it.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice for apple desserts, giving warmth and depth.
- Granulated sugar and powdered sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with the glaze.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate smoothly into the dough.
- Vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste: Adds a lovely aromatic undertone that brings everything together.
- All-purpose flour: The basis of the dough, giving structure.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents to help the dough rise properly.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors.
- Whole milk: For the glaze, adding richness and smoothness.
Variations
I like to keep the essentials in this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe, but sometimes I’ll tweak things up to keep it fresh or suit different diets. Feel free to make it your own — baking is all about experimenting and finding what you love!
- Gluten-Free Version: I’ve swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and found the cookies still turn out tender and delicious.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves to the filling gives a lovely depth that reminds me of grandma’s holiday apple pie.
- Caramel Drizzle: I sometimes drizzle a bit of homemade or store-bought caramel over the cookies after glazing for an extra indulgent touch.
- Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan butter and a flax egg substitute to enjoy these beauties without dairy or eggs — results were surprisingly satisfying!
How to Make Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
Start by peeling, coring, and dicing about 3 cups of apples. I prefer firm varieties because they maintain their shape during cooking. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add apples, light brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Stir frequently as the apples soften and the mixture thickens—about 8-10 minutes. Let this filling cool completely before assembling the cookies to avoid soggy dough.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together softened unsalted butter with light brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy—this usually takes me about 3-4 minutes on medium speed. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract for that lovely aromatic base. In a separate bowl, whisk your flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually combine the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated to keep cookies tender.
Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
From the dough, scoop a generous tablespoon and flatten it in the palm of your hand. Spoon about a teaspoon of the cooled apple filling in the center before folding the dough over to enclose it, sealing the edges well. I like to chill my assembled balls for 10-15 minutes before baking—it helps keep the shape. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced evenly.
Step 4: Bake and Glaze
Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for about 12-14 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. While they cool on a wire rack, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, whole milk, and a pinch of salt to make your glaze. Drizzle generously over cooled cookies for that irresistible sweet finish.
Pro Tips for Making Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
- Cool the Filling: Always let your apple filling cool completely before stuffing—it keeps the dough from becoming greasy or soggy.
- Proper Sealing: Press and pinch the cookie dough edges firmly to prevent the filling from leaking while baking.
- Chill for Shape: Chilling dough balls before baking helps keep cookies from spreading too much, giving you that perfect pocket cookie.
- Even Baking: Use parchment paper and space cookies well on the tray so they bake evenly without sticking together.
How to Serve Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For that extra touch, I love sprinkling a little cinnamon sugar over the glaze as it sets—it adds a slight crunch with every bite. If you’re feeling fancy, a tiny dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes these cookies a total showstopper, especially for cozy fall evenings.
Side Dishes
These cookies are excellent alongside a hot cup of spiced tea, coffee, or even mulled cider. For a festive brunch or dessert spread, I serve them with sharp cheddar cheese — it sounds wild, but the salty sharpness perfectly contrasts the sweet apple cinnamon flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
When I make these for gatherings, I arrange them on a rustic wooden board with little jars of caramel sauce and extra frosting for dipping so guests can customize their treat. You can also stack them as a mini cookie “cake” and sprinkle chopped toasted nuts on top for texture and appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover apple pie cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft but still fresh. If they start to lose their tenderness, a quick warm-up can revive them nicely.
Freezing
These cookies freeze really well! I flash freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. When I want a quick treat, I bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. For already baked cookies, I wrap them individually and freeze—thaw at room temp for a soft bite.
Reheating
To warm leftover cookies, I pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes or microwave for about 15 seconds if I’m in a hurry. This helps restore that freshly-baked softness and melts any glaze just right.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen apples for this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe?
While fresh apples give the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen apples if fresh aren’t available. Just thaw and drain any excess liquid thoroughly before cooking the filling to prevent soggy cookies.
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What’s the secret to keeping the cookies soft?
Including cornstarch in the dough is key to softness because it reduces gluten formation, resulting in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture every time.
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Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and filling in advance and keep them refrigerated for up to 2 days before assembling and baking. This makes it super convenient for parties or when baking ahead for holidays.
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How do I avoid the filling leaking out during baking?
Make sure to seal the edges of the dough well by pressing firmly and chilling the cookie dough balls before baking. This creates a nice barrier that holds the filling inside as it bakes.
Final Thoughts
I’m genuinely thrilled every time I make this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe because it blends the best parts of homemade apple pie into a fun, manageable cookie. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just craving a cozy treat, these cookies won’t disappoint. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a fast favorite in your kitchen too!
Print
Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 13 min
- Total Time: 43 min
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Apple Pie Cookies combine the delicious flavors of a classic apple pie into a fun, handheld cookie form. Featuring a homemade apple pie filling wrapped in a soft, buttery cookie dough and topped with a creamy, vanilla bean frosting, these cookies are perfect for dessert lovers craving a nostalgic treat with a twist.
Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
- 3 cups cored, peeled, diced apples
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 2 Tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Streusel Topping
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (65g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Vanilla Bean Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Optional Decoration Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Pie Filling: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, light brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring frequently, until apples are tender and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine melted butter, flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly. Set aside.
- Assemble the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop a tablespoon of chilled dough and flatten slightly in your palm. Place a teaspoon of cooled apple pie filling in the center and fold dough around to seal, forming a ball. Roll the cookie dough balls in the streusel topping to coat generously. Place on a lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for approximately 12-13 minutes, or until edges are golden and tops are set. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Vanilla Bean Frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla bean paste, beating until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost and Decorate: Once cookies are fully cooled, spread or pipe vanilla bean frosting on top. For an optional glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and drizzle over the frosted cookies.
Notes
- Apple pie cookies have all the components of apple pie but in cookie form, making them a nostalgic and portable dessert.
- Using room temperature eggs and butter ensures a smoother and more even dough texture.
- The recipe includes a homemade apple pie filling to capture authentic pie flavor.
- Chilling the dough helps make it easier to handle and prevents spreading during baking.
- An optional a la mode decoration can be added by serving cookies with a scoop of ice cream on the side.
- Refrigerate any leftover cookies to preserve freshness and bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 44 g
- Sodium: 192 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 54 mg
