Description
These Delicious Apple Pie Cookies capture the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie in a perfect handheld treat. Featuring a tender, cinnamon-spiced cookie base filled with a sautéed Granny Smith apple filling and optionally drizzled with caramel sauce, they are ideal for cozy fall family moments and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup White Sugar
- 1 large Egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Apple Filling
- 3 cups Granny Smith Apples (diced)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
- 1/2 cup Nuts (Walnuts or Pecans, chopped)
Topping
- Caramel Sauce (to taste, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté diced Granny Smith apples with lemon juice, water, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (optional), and cornstarch for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples are tender and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Make Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with brown and white sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until fully combined, forming a smooth cookie dough.
- Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the dough and roll each portion into a ball. Place the cookie balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn a light golden brown. Remove from the oven.
- Form Wells in Cookies: While the cookies are still warm, gently press your thumb into the center of each cookie to create a small well without breaking the cookie.
- Add Apple Filling: Spoon a small amount of the cooled apple filling into each cookie well. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes to meld flavors.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally drizzling with caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the apple filling is completely cooled before filling the cookies to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.
- You can substitute walnuts or pecans based on your preference for the nut component.
- For a vegan variation, substitute butter and egg with plant-based alternatives.
- Use tart Granny Smith apples to balance the sweetness with natural acidity.
- Caramel sauce adds an extra layer of sweetness and pairs beautifully with the apple and cinnamon flavors but is optional.
