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Apple Pie Cookie

Apple Pie Cookies

Contributed by : Jane Berthiaume
jane-berthiaume-20220708205352
Canadian Recipes : Desserts

When my sister Jill shared her Apple Pie Cookies recipe with me, I didn’t just bake them—I brought them to all three Thanksgiving celebrations this weekend. Each time, these little bites of apple pie magic had everyone talking. They taste just like the real thing, but in a perfect, shareable cookie form. It’s moments like these that remind me recipes aren’t just about taste—they’re about the joy and memories we create around the table.

Total Time

2 hrs

Prepare Time

Not Mentioned

Cook Time

10-12 mins

Recipe Servings

18-20 cookies

Ingredients of
Apple Pie Cookies

For the apple filling:

  • 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups peeled & diced Granny Smith apples (about 2 apples) *see notes
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar, light or dark
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cool water

For the cinnamon cookie dough:

  • 2 1/3 cups (302g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar, light or dark
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the cinnamon sugar:

  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

How to Make
Apple Pie Cookies

Apple Filling:

  1. In a large skillet, combine butter, diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the butter and sugar melt and the mixture starts to simmer. If the mixture starts splattering, reduce your heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Continue cooking for about 5-10 minutes or until the apples have softened but still have a slight bite to them.
  3. In a separate small bowl, mix together cornstarch and water to dissolve. Pour the cornstarch mixture over the apples. While stirring constantly, cook for another 30-60 seconds or until it boils and the sauce has thickened.
  4. Transfer the apple mixture to a heat safe bowl and set aside to cool completely to room temperature before using.

Cookie Dough:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine butter and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a wooden spoon by hand, cream together until light and fluffy.
  4. Mix in the whole egg, egg yolk and vanilla. It's ok if the mixture separates and looks a little grainy. Just make sure there aren't any large chunks of butter.
  5. Add the dry ingredients and fold together until you no longer see any dry streaks. 

Cinnamon Sugar:

  1. In a shallow bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Using a large cookie scoop, portion out 3 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough and drop them into the bowl of cinnamon sugar. Toss to coat all sides in the sugar mixture.
  3. Place cookies on your parchment lined baking sheet, leaving about 2-3 inches of space between each ball of dough.
  4. Use a measuring teaspoon or your thumb to push down the center of each cookie to create an indent. Fill the centers with around 1 teaspoon of your cooled apple filling.
  5. Bake the cookies in the center of your preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
  6. Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the tray then transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely. Continue baking the rest of the cookies in batches - make sure the baking sheet is fully cooled before adding the next round of cookies. 

Notes

Use Granny Smith, Braeburn, Fuji, Honeycrisp apples or something similar. Those apple varieties have the best flavor and hold their shape well after baking. Avoid soft flesh apples (like Red Delicious) - they break down into mush when heated!