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Delicious Apple Pie Cookies with spiced apple filling and cinnamon sugar coating.

Apple Pie Cookies

Cozy and homemade, these Apple Pie Cookies pack the flavors of traditional apple pie into soft, buttery cookies that are easy to make and travel well.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the apple filling
  • 2 cups peeled, small diced apples Use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples.
  • 2 tablespoons butter For cooking the apples.
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • a pinch nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water To thicken the filling.
  • a pinch salt
For the cookie dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 each egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional topping
  • to taste powdered sugar glaze Made from powdered sugar plus a splash of milk.
  • to taste quick caramel drizzle

Method
 

Making the apple filling
  1. Add butter to a small skillet over medium heat.
  2. Toss in the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the apples start to soften.
  4. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 more minute until it looks glossy and thick.
  5. Scoop it into a bowl and let it cool.
Mixing the cookie dough
  1. In a bowl, cream the softened butter with sugar and brown sugar until it looks fluffy.
  2. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
  3. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until it comes together.
  4. If your kitchen is warm and the dough feels sticky, chill it for 20 minutes.
Shaping and filling
  1. Scoop dough balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
  2. Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to make a little well in the center of each ball.
  3. Spoon a small amount of cooled apple filling into the well. Do not overfill.
Baking
  1. Bake at 350°F for about 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges look set and lightly golden.
  2. Let them cool on the pan for 10 minutes before moving.
Topping (optional)
  1. Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze or caramel if desired.

Notes

Cool the apple filling fully before using to prevent melting the cookie dough. Parchment paper aids cleanup. Watch the bake time to avoid overbaking.