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

Scale

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

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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