Description
These Apple Pie Cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with warm spiced apples—everything you love about apple pie in a handheld treat! Perfect for fall and holiday baking.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Apple Filling
- 2 medium apples, peeled and finely diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water (slurry for thickening)
Optional Topping
- Caramel sauce or powdered sugar glaze
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Filling – In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook until apples soften, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook 1–2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and cool.
- Make the Dough – In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients until combined.
- Assemble the Cookies – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough into balls, flatten slightly, and create a small well in the center. Spoon cooled apple filling into each well.
- Bake – Arrange cookies on the sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake 12–14 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool and Top – Let cool 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. Drizzle with caramel or glaze if desired.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so the filling holds its shape.
- Cool the filling completely before adding to cookies—this prevents soggy dough.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft before baking.
- Don’t overload filling—a small spoonful is plenty for each cookie.
- For extra flavor drizzle with salted caramel or sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes