Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

If you adore the warm, cozy flavors of fall desserts, you’re going to swoon over this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe. It’s like having all the comforting goodness of classic apple pie but wrapped up in a buttery, soft cookie that’s perfect for snack time or dessert. Trust me, when I first tried this, I couldn’t believe how all the cinnamon-spiced apples, brown sugar, and flaky cookie base worked together so perfectly. Stick around — I’ll share all my tips and tricks so you can nail this treat every time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a key role in bringing out that warm apple pie vibe in cookie form. I recommend using fresh, crisp apples for a juicy filling and quality vanilla bean paste if you can find it for that extra depth of flavor.

• Apples: Crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best to keep the filling from turning mushy.
• Light Brown Sugar: This adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with apples and cinnamon.
• Butter: Use unsalted for better control over salt; softened butter helps the dough come together easily.
• Cornstarch: This thickens the apple filling and also lightens the cookie texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: The signature spice that makes apple pie irresistible.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness without overpowering the apple flavor.
• Eggs: Using room temperature eggs helps the dough mix evenly and rise nicely.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie dough; measuring properly ensures the right texture.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents help the cookies rise just right—fluffy but not cakey.
• Salt: Essential to enhance all the flavors.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: I love this for its intense vanilla flavor and pretty speckles, but pure vanilla extract works too.
• Powdered Sugar and Whole Milk: For the luscious glaze that finishes off these cookies with a sweet, creamy touch.

Variations

I love how versatile this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe is! You can easily tweak the filling and topping to suit your tastes or dietary needs — don’t be afraid to experiment.

• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend once and the texture held up beautifully with just a slight difference in chewiness.
• Spiced Up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves to the apple filling took it to the next level for me during the holidays.
• Caramel Drizzle: Sometimes, I skip the powdered sugar glaze and drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cooled cookies — total crowd-pleaser!
• Vegan-Friendly: Using coconut oil in place of butter and a flax egg works well if you want to make these vegan without losing flavor.

How to Make Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling

Start by peeling, coring, and dicing fresh apples into small pieces—about 3 cups worth. In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and add the diced apples along with ¼ cup light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften but still hold their shape, about 10 minutes. Let this filling cool completely before assembling; this is key so your cookie dough doesn’t get soggy.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter with 1 cup light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in 2 room temperature eggs and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk 4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. The dough will be soft but manageable—if it feels too sticky, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping.

Step 3: Assemble the Apple Pie Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out your cookie bases using a round cutter. For the filling layer, mix 1 ¼ cups flour with 6 tablespoons melted butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt until crumbly. Press this crumbly mixture onto the cookie dough base, then spoon a generous amount of the cooled apple filling on top. Carefully cover with another cookie dough round and crimp the edges to seal. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Step 4: Bake and Glaze

Bake for 12–14 minutes until the cookies are golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center. Let them cool completely on a wire rack. For the glaze, whisk together 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, 1-2 tablespoons whole milk, and ⅛ teaspoon salt until smooth. Drizzle generously over the cooled cookies. This glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness and looks gorgeous too!

How to Serve Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top before glazing for a sparkly finish. For a festive touch, a light dusting of powdered sugar after baking makes these look like they just came from a cozy bakery. If I’m serving them as “a la mode” treats, a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is absolute magic.

Side Dishes

They’re perfect alongside a steaming cup of chai tea or freshly brewed coffee. For brunch, I like pairing these cookies with a simple cream cheese spread or even savory bacon to balance the sweetness — trust me, it’s a combo that surprises and delights!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange the Apple Pie Cookies on a wooden board surrounded by cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices to create a rustic fall display. I’ve also cut them into smaller bite-size portions for cookie platters, which is always a hit with kids and adults alike.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! If you want to keep them extra soft, add a slice of bread to the container — it really helps maintain moisture.

Freezing

I like to freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, flash freezing, then transferring them to zip-top bags. This way, you can pull out just the number you want. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

To refresh frozen Apple Pie Cookies, I warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5–7 minutes. This revives that freshly-baked softness and makes the glaze slightly melty and delicious again — almost like fresh from the oven!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert that wraps up all the warmth and nostalgia of apple pie into a fun, handheld cookie, this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe hits the mark every single time. I love baking these when friends come over or when the seasons start to change — they fill the kitchen with the best aroma and bring everyone to the table smiling. Give it a try, and I promise, you’ll want to make them again and again, just like I do.

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