If you adore the classic flavors of apple pie but crave something handheld and cookie-sized, you are going to fall head over heels for this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe. Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie that bursts with tender cinnamon-spiced apple chunks and a hint of caramel, perfectly capturing the essence of a warm apple pie in every bite. This recipe transforms all the charm of your favorite dessert into a delightful cookie that’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging anytime you want a cozy treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Apple Pie Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, straightforward ingredients that come together to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Each component is carefully chosen to add sweetness, spice, moisture, or structure, resulting in tender cookies loaded with luscious apple filling and spiced to perfection.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness that balances the spice and tartness.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Infuses warm, comforting spice essential to the apple pie flavor.
- 4 Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples (about 2 cups diced, peeled): Their tartness and texture brighten the filling and keep it fresh-tasting.
- ¼ cup water: Helps soften the apples and meld the filling ingredients.
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: Adds a zesty tang that prevents the apples from browning and enhances flavor.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Thickens the apple filling for a perfect consistency inside the cookie.
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed): Brings a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice: A blend that deepens the cozy flavor complexity.
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce: Adds decadent, gooey sweetness to elevate the filling.
- 1 tablespoon salted butter: Adds richness and silkiness to the filling.
- 4 cups bread flour (545g): Provides structure and tenderness for the cookie dough.
- 1 (3.3oz.) box instant vanilla pudding mix (93g): Keeps the cookies moist and adds a subtle vanilla undertone.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (12g): Ensures the cookies rise just enough for a soft texture.
- 1½ teaspoons salt (10g): Balances the sweetness and highlights the flavors.
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: Adds another layer of warm spice to the dough.
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice: Enhances the dough’s autumnal aroma.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (227g, cold): Creates tender crumb and rich flavor in the dough.
- 1½ cups light brown sugar (315g, packed): Sweetens and moistens the cookie dough beautifully.
- 3 large eggs (room temperature): Binds ingredients and adds richness.
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and depth to the cookie dough.
How to Make Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling
Start by combining your diced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, water, cornstarch, brown sugar, apple pie spice, caramel sauce, and butter in a saucepan. Cook everything gently over medium heat, stirring often until the apples soften and the mixture thickens to a luscious, jam-like filling. This step lets the sugars and spices meld into the apples, creating that classic apple pie flavor that will shine inside your cookies.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Cut in the cold unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then cream this mixture with the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly fluffy. The use of instant pudding mix ensures your cookies stay wonderfully moist with a perfect texture.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out half of your cookie dough onto a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter or glass to cut out circles to form the cookie base. Spoon a generous amount of the apple filling onto each circle, then top with another dough circle and pinch the edges firmly to seal. Place your cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges and the filling is bubbling happily inside.
How to Serve Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Add a drizzle of warm caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar on top for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal. For a festive look, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts that add crunch and a nutty contrast, making your cookies irresistible.
Side Dishes
Apple Pie Cookies are delightful on their own but pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a decadent dessert. Enjoying them alongside a cup of strong coffee or warm chai latte can elevate your snack to an entirely cozy experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies on a beautiful platter for a party or layering them in cellophane bags tied with ribbons for thoughtful homemade gifts. You can even serve mini Apple Pie Cookie sandwiches filled with cinnamon buttercream for a crowd-pleasing twist that everyone will talk about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, place your apple pie cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and delicious for up to three days, making them perfect for prepping ahead for get-togethers or quick snacks.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either baked or unbaked. For baked cookies, layer them between parchment paper and store in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. For unbaked dough, wrap tightly and freeze for up to two months, then thaw before baking for fresh-from-the-oven goodness on demand.
Reheating
To warm up your Apple Pie Cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This restores their soft texture and lets those aromatic spices come alive once again.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness and texture, you can experiment with Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn apples. Just make sure they hold their shape when cooked.
Is it necessary to use instant vanilla pudding mix in the dough?
The pudding mix keeps the cookies moist and tender, adding a subtle vanilla flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, you can substitute with an extra egg yolk and a teaspoon of cornstarch, but the texture might vary slightly.
How can I prevent the apple filling from making the cookies soggy?
Cook the filling until it’s thickened and jam-like, as the cornstarch helps with this. Also, make sure to seal the edges of the cookies well so the filling stays inside during baking.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of bread flour; however, the texture might differ. Experimentation may be needed to get the perfect crumb with gluten-free options.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?
Yes! Apple Pie Cookies freeze beautifully and can be reheated easily, making them a great make-ahead treat for busy days or holiday gatherings.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Pie Cookies Recipe is a dreamy way to enjoy all the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie in a fun and portable form. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or yourself, these cookies bring joy with every bite and celebrate the best of autumn all year round. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and make it a new favorite in your baking repertoire!
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Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Apple Pie Cookies combine the warm, comforting flavors of classic apple pie with the convenience and portability of a cookie. Featuring a spiced apple filling tucked inside a buttery vanilla pudding cookie dough, these treats offer a tender, flavorful bite perfect for enjoying any time of year.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples (about 2 cups diced, peeled)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Cookie Dough
- 4 cups bread flour (545g)
- 1 (3.3oz.) box instant vanilla pudding mix (93g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (12g)
- 1½ teaspoons salt (10g)
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 cup unsalted butter (227g, cold)
- 1½ cups light brown sugar (315g, packed)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, water, lemon juice, cornstarch, light brown sugar, apple pie spice, caramel sauce, and salted butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the apples are tender, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together bread flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Cut the cold unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, beat light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined, then add to the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Assemble the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 24 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a disc, place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling in the center, and fold the dough around to enclose the filling completely, shaping into a ball. Place on the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake the filled cookies in the preheated oven for 23-25 minutes or until the edges are golden and the cookies are set. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to ensure the filling holds up well.
- Make sure the apple filling is completely cooled before filling the dough to prevent it from melting the dough.
- If you prefer, you can substitute the instant vanilla pudding mix with homemade pudding powder but it might affect texture.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- For extra flavor, drizzle cooled cookies with additional caramel sauce before serving.
