The Best Apple Pie Cookies Recipe: Bite-Sized Autumn Joy

Sweet apple pie cookies reimagine humble ingredients into bite-sized delights that capture classic dessert magic.

Crisp pastry edges embrace warm spices and tender fruit in a miniature format that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Crumbly, buttery textures blend seamlessly with concentrated apple pie flavors, creating an irresistible handheld treat.

Home bakers appreciate how these cookies simplify traditional pie preparation into manageable, crowd-pleasing morsels.

Carefully selected ingredients like fragrant cinnamon and fresh apples elevate this recipe beyond ordinary cookie expectations.

Compact and portable, these cookies deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Each tiny morsel promises a delectable journey through familiar comfort and surprising culinary creativity.

Best Drinks or Snacks with Apple Pie Cookies

• Pair with Warm Vanilla Chai: Brew a fragrant chai tea with steamed milk to complement the cinnamon and apple flavors, creating a cozy autumn-inspired treat.
• Match with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream alongside the cookies to balance the warm spices and provide a cool, smooth contrast.
• Serve with Spiced Mulled Wine: Prepare a gentle mulled wine with cinnamon sticks, orange zest, and cloves to echo the cookie's warm spice profile and enhance the dessert experience.
• Accompany with Caramel Macchiato: Craft a smooth caramel macchiato that mirrors the salted caramel drizzle, offering a rich and complementary beverage that enhances the cookie's sweet complexity.

Creative Twists on Apple Pie Cookies

• Autumn Orchard Fusion: Swap apple slices with a mix of pears and apples, adding a splash of bourbon for depth. Sprinkle nutmeg and ground cloves for extra warmth.
• Rustic Berry Crunch: Replace apple filling with mixed berry compote. Top with crushed graham crackers and a drizzle of white chocolate for added texture.
• Harvest Spice Celebration: Incorporate roasted pecans into the cookie dough. Use a maple-infused caramel instead of salted caramel, creating a rich, woodsy flavor profile.
• Nordic Inspired: Add cardamom to the cookie dough and replace apple filling with lingonberry jam. Finish with a light dusting of almond flour for a Scandinavian touch.

Apple Pie Cookies That Taste Like the Real Thing

• Craft Irresistible Flavor Fusion: Combining warm cinnamon cookies, gooey apple pie filling, and rich salted caramel creates a mind-blowing taste experience that transforms traditional dessert concepts into bite-sized delights.
• Simplify Complex Baking: These cookies eliminate the hassle of traditional pie-making by delivering all the classic apple pie flavors in an easy, portable format that anyone can prepare without advanced baking skills.
• Elevate Comfort Dessert: The combination of soft cookie texture, tender apple chunks, and luxurious caramel delivers a multi-layered sensory experience that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated, perfect for cozy gatherings or elegant dinner parties.
• Master Impressive Technique: By mastering these cookies, home bakers can showcase professional-level skills through precise filling techniques, caramel creation, and cookie shaping that looks elegantly crafted yet remains wonderfully approachable.

What Goes Into Apple Pie Cookies

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, glossy filling.
• Apple Slices: Fresh, crisp apples provide the classic pie flavor and texture.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel-like sweetness and helps thicken the filling.
• Cornstarch: Essential for creating a thick, glossy sauce that holds the apples together.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the apple's natural sweetness.

• Sugar: Base for creating a deep amber caramel sauce.
• Butter: Adds creamy richness and helps stabilize the caramel.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, silky texture for the caramel.
• Vanilla: Adds depth and complexity to the caramel flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Flour, Baking Powder, Cornstarch: Create the structure and tender texture of the cookie.
• Butter, Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and rich, soft texture.
• Eggs, Vanilla: Add moisture and enhance flavor.
• Cinnamon, Salt: Provide warm spice and balance the sweetness.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Coating that adds extra flavor and texture to the cookie edges.

How to Make Apple Pie Cookies from Scratch

Step 1: Craft Delectable Apple Pie Filling

• Apple slices
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Cinnamon

Cook until mixture bubbles and apples soften, stirring for about 5 minutes. Allow filling to cool completely.

Step 2: Create Luscious Salted Caramel

In a small saucepan, heat sugar until it transforms into a rich amber color. Remove from heat swiftly.

Gradually incorporate butter cubes, whisking carefully as mixture bubbles.

Slowly add heavy cream, stirring in vanilla and salt. Let caramel cool down entirely.

Step 3: Mix Heavenly Cinnamon Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Cinnamon
• Cornstarch
• Salt

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla
• Eggs

Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Let dough rest for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Step 5: Shape Magical Cookie Bases

Scoop dough into balls and place on cookie sheet. Press a circular indentation using a measuring cup or spice jar.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 11 minutes. Remove and press circle indentation again. Bake additional 1-3 minutes until edges turn golden. Cool on wire rack.

Step 7: Add Finishing Touches

Brush cookies with melted butter. Roll edges in cinnamon sugar.

Step 8: Assemble Decadent Treats

Fill cookie centers with apple pie filling. Drizzle salted caramel generously over the top.

Enjoy your mouthwatering Apple Pie Cookies!

Tips for Getting Perfect Apple Pie Cookie Texture

• Slice Apples Uniformly: Cut apple slices into thin, consistent pieces to ensure even cooking and a smooth filling texture.
• Control Caramel Carefully: Watch sugar closely while caramelizing; it can burn quickly, so remove from heat the moment it turns amber.
• Rest Cookie Dough Properly: Letting the dough rest allows gluten to relax, resulting in softer, more tender cookies with better structure.
• Create Perfect Indentations: Use the bottom of a measuring cup or spice jar to gently press consistent circles into cookie dough for uniform shapes.
• Cool Completely Before Assembling: Let apple filling and caramel cool to room temperature to prevent soggy cookies and maintain structural integrity.

Storing and Reheating Apple Pie Cookies Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigerate: Store apple pie cookies in an airtight container, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent caramel from melting.
• Freeze: Carefully wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to preserve texture and flavor.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes. Avoid microwave, which can make cookies soggy and caramel runny. This method helps restore crisp edges and warm, gooey filling.

Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet apple pie cookies bring classic American dessert magic into bite-sized perfection. Crisp pastry edges cradle warm cinnamon-spiced apple filling, offering delightful handheld indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable crunch.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Apples

• 3 Gala apples, peeled and sliced

Sugars

• ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (100 g) white granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) white granulated sugar

Spices

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Flour and Starches

• 3 ¼ cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Fats

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Dairy

• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream, at room temperature

Eggs

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

Other Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Craft the apple pie filling by gently melting butter in a saucepan, then incorporate sliced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
2. Simmer the mixture until it bubbles, stirring consistently for approximately 5 minutes to soften apples and thicken the filling.
3. Remove from heat and allow the apple mixture to cool completely.
4. Create the salted caramel by carefully melting sugar until it transforms into a rich amber hue.
5. Methodically introduce butter cubes in stages, whisking thoroughly to prevent burning.
6. Pour heavy cream gradually, stirring attentively as the mixture reacts and bubbles.
7. Blend in vanilla and salt, then set aside to cool entirely.
8. Prepare cookie dough by mixing dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl.
9. Whisk melted butter with brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and eggs until smooth and uniform.
10. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using a spatula, ensuring minimal mixing.
11. Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes to enhance texture.
12. Preheat oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
13. Form dough into uniform balls and place on prepared sheets.
14. Create circular indentations using a measuring cup or spice jar.
15. Bake for 11 minutes, then reinforce the center indentation.
16. Continue baking 1-3 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
17. Transfer cookies to cooling rack.
18. Brush cookies with melted butter and coat edges with cinnamon sugar.
19. Fill cookie centers with prepared apple pie filling.
20. Drizzle salted caramel generously over the top of each cookie.

Notes

• Prep ahead by making apple pie filling and salted caramel in advance, allowing both to cool completely for optimal texture and flavor melding.
• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the filling to ensure a balanced sweetness and prevent soggy cookies.
• Create consistent cookie sizes by using a uniform measuring tool when scooping dough and pressing indentations for even baking.
• Handle caramel with extreme care, as it reaches very high temperatures and can cause severe burns if splashed or touched directly.
• Store assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping caramel and filling from making cookies soggy.
• For best results, allow cookies to cool completely before adding filling and caramel to maintain structural integrity and prevent immediate softening.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg