Apple Pie Cookie Delights Recipe

Cozy Apple Pie Cookie Delights Recipe for Autumn Bliss

Apple pie cookie delights blend the nostalgic warmth of classic desserts with innovative baking magic.

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through these delectable treats, promising a symphony of comforting flavors.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a delightful textural experience that refines ordinary snacking into something extraordinary.

Fragrant spices and rich buttery notes intertwine, crafting a sensory journey that feels like a passionate culinary embrace.

Each carefully crafted morsel captures the essence of traditional apple pie while reinventing the concept as a convenient, handheld pleasure.

Bakers of all skill levels can master these irresistible cookies, turning simple ingredients into moments of pure joy.

The result marries familiar comfort with unexpected creativity, ensuring every bite tells a delicious story.

  • Burst with Homemade Comfort: These apple pie cookies capture the warm, nostalgic essence of traditional apple pie in a perfectly portable, bite-sized treat that feels like a cozy hug from grandma's kitchen.
  • Master Bakery-Level Techniques: The intricate lattice top and carefully crafted filling showcase professional-level baking skills, allowing home cooks to create restaurant-quality desserts with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.
  • Customize Your Sweet Adventure: Versatile enough to adapt to different occasions, these cookies work beautifully as weekend family treats, elegant party desserts, or spontaneous baking projects that bring everyone together with their irresistible aroma and delightful texture.
  • Quick Indulgence, Maximum Flavor: Despite looking complicated, these cookies come together in under an hour of active preparation, delivering maximum taste with minimal effort and providing a perfect balance of crispy crust, gooey caramel, and spiced apple filling.

What You Need for Apple Pie Cookies

Apples And Fruit Ingredients:
  • Apples: Fresh, crisp apples provide the core flavor and texture for the pie filling, with sweet-tart balance.
  • Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright, tangy flavor to the filling.
Sweeteners And Spices:
  • White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and caramelization for the apple filling.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that enhance the traditional apple pie flavor profile.
  • Caramel Sauce: Adds rich, deep sweetness and extra moisture to the cookie filling.
Baking And Binding Ingredients:
  • Corn Starch: Thickens the apple filling and creates a smooth, glossy texture.
  • Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create the right consistency for the filling.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates flaky texture in pie crust.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Main structural component for pie crust and cookie base.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Ice Water: Helps bind pie crust ingredients without developing tough gluten.
  • Egg: Serves as a wash to create golden, shiny surface on baked cookies.
  • Sugar: Additional topping to create crisp, sweet exterior.

How to Bake Cookies That Taste Like Pie

Step 1: Prepare Apple Pie Filling

  • Slice apples
  • Toss apple slices with lemon juice and set aside
  • In a saucepan, combine
  • Cornstarch
  • White sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Water

Stir ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Boil for 2 minutes until thickened. Stir in apple slices, reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer for 10 minutes until apples are soft. Remove from heat and let cool. Chop cooled apples into small pieces.

Step 2: Create Pie Crust Dough

In a large mixing bowl, mix:
  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Sugar

Use a pastry blender to incorporate chilled butter cubes until mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle ice water gradually, blending until dough holds together. Divide dough into two equal discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 3: Assemble Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Roll out first pie crust and spread caramel sauce evenly. Distribute chopped apple filling over caramel. Create lattice top with second pie crust by cutting into 1/2 inch strips. Use a 2.5-inch round cookie cutter to cut out cookies.

Step 4: Finish and Bake

Beat egg and brush cookie tops. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Let cool on baking sheet before serving.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer cookies to a serving plate. Enjoy these delightful apple pie cookies with a glass of cold milk or hot coffee.

Versions of Apple Pie Cookies to Experiment With

  • Rustic Spice Infusion: Replace traditional cinnamon with a blend of cardamom, ginger, and cloves for a warm, aromatic flavor profile that elevates the classic apple pie cookie.
  • Nutty Caramel Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple filling and drizzle with salted caramel sauce before baking, adding texture and depth to the cookies.
  • Maple Harvest Blend: Swap white sugar with maple syrup in the apple filling and sprinkle maple-candied bacon bits on top for a sweet and savory combination that captures autumn's essence.
  • Seasonal Berry Remix: Mix in dried cranberries or chopped fresh raspberries with the apple filling to introduce a tangy burst of fruity complexity to the traditional recipe.
  • Chill Butter Thoroughly: Keep butter extremely cold and cut into tiny cubes for the flakiest, most tender pie crust possible.
  • Control Apple Moisture: Drain apple slices completely after cooking to prevent soggy cookies and ensure a crisp texture.
  • Perfect Lattice Technique: Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to create clean, even strips for a professional-looking lattice top.
  • Egg Wash Secrets: Brush cookies gently with egg wash for a gorgeous golden shine and beautiful glossy finish.
  • Prevent Spread Smartly: Refrigerate assembled cookies for 15 minutes before baking to help them maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.

Store and Warm Apple Pie Cookies Easily

  • Refrigeration: Store cooled apple pie cookies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent soggy crusts.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture and flavor restoration.
  • Reheating: Warm cookies in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent crust from becoming soft or losing its crispy texture. Enjoy slightly warm for the most delicious experience.

What to Serve Alongside These Pie Cookies

  • Brew Perfectly Paired Tea: Complement the warm, spicy notes of these apple pie cookies with a steaming cup of chai tea, which echoes the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors.
  • Select Creamy Accompaniment: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to balance the crisp pastry and add a luxurious, cool contrast to the warm cookies.
  • Match with Sweet Beverage: Pour a chilled glass of apple cider or a light moscato wine to enhance the fruity apple essence and provide a refreshing companion to the dessert.
  • Elevate with Nutty Side: Add a small plate of toasted pecans or walnuts to introduce a satisfying crunch and nutty depth that harmonizes with the apple pie cookie's sweet profile.
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Apple Pie Cookie Delights Recipe

Apple Pie Cookie Delights Recipe


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4.6 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Grandma’s traditional apple pie cookies blend classic American dessert flavors into irresistible bite-sized treats. Warm cinnamon, buttery pastry, and sweet apple filling promise a delightful journey through nostalgic comfort that you’ll savor with each delectable crumb.


Ingredients

Scale

Apple Pie Filling:

Fruits:

  • 3 apples (about 1 lb / 454 grams), peeled and sliced into 8 slices each

Sugars and Sweeteners:

  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar

Thickeners and Spices:

  • 3 tablespoons corn starch
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 dash nutmeg

Liquids:

  • 12 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¾ cup water (177 milliliters)

Pie Crust:

Fats:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 grams) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and chilled

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Liquids:

  • ¼ cup ice water (59 milliliters)

Alternate Option:

  • 1 package refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)

Filling and Topping:

Fruit Mixture:

  • 1 ¾ cups apple pie filling, chopped into small pieces

Sweet Sauces:

  • 1 cup caramel sauce

Binding and Flavoring:

  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the apple pie filling by gently coating apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  2. In a saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, sugars, and warm spices with water, creating a smooth base mixture.
  3. Bring the sauce to a vigorous boil, continuously stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
  4. Carefully fold apple slices into the thickened sauce, allowing them to simmer gently until tender but still maintaining their structure.
  5. Remove filling from heat and let it cool completely, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to set.
  6. Finely dice the cooled apple slices, ensuring uniform pieces for even distribution in cookies.
  7. Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a dry foundation for the pastry dough.
  8. Incorporate chilled butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, working until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
  9. Gradually introduce ice water to the dough, mixing carefully until the mixture just begins to hold together.
  10. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape into flat discs, and refrigerate for one hour to enhance flakiness.
  11. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly coated with non-stick spray.
  12. Spread a thin layer of caramel sauce across one pie crust, creating a rich, sweet base.
  13. Distribute the chopped apple filling evenly over the caramel, pressing gently to secure.
  14. Create an intricate lattice top by cutting the second crust into delicate strips and weaving them across the filling.
  15. Use a circular cookie cutter to shape individual cookies, transferring them to the prepared baking sheet.
  16. Brush the cookie tops with beaten egg, providing a golden, glossy finish.
  17. Sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the cookies for added warmth and sweetness.
  18. Bake until the cookies achieve a rich, golden-brown color and crisp edges.

Notes

  • Cookies stay crisp when stored in airtight containers at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • Refrigeration extends shelf life up to one week, maintaining delicate texture and flavor.
  • Freezing works best by layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 365
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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