Description
These warm and buttery apple pie cookies blend the soft chew of sugar cookies with the comforting, spiced apple filling of a homemade pie. They’re the perfect fall or holiday treat—easy to make, cozy to enjoy, and sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for filling)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Optional: ½ cup powdered sugar + 1–2 teaspoons milk (for glaze)
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes until apples soften slightly. Stir in cornstarch to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. In a large bowl, cream together ½ cup softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually combine with the wet ingredients to form a dough.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Scoop cookie dough into 1.5-inch balls and place 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly and create a small indent in the center of each.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cookies cool slightly.
7. Spoon cooled apple filling into the center of each cookie. Let set for 10–15 minutes.
8. If desired, drizzle with glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Notes
Make sure to let the apple topping cool before spooning onto cookies to prevent sogginess.
If your apples are extra juicy, use a slotted spoon to avoid over-wetting the cookies.
For a crisper base, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.