Magical Apple Pie Cookies Recipe: Sweet, Homey Delights

Warm, buttery aromas of homemade apple pie cookie recipe swirl through the kitchen, beckoning everyone closer with their irresistible charm.

Sweet memories of autumn afternoons dance between crisp pastry layers and tender apple chunks.

Comfort meets creativity in this delightful dessert that bridges traditional pie flavors with playful cookie textures.

Soft edges and golden-brown surfaces promise a delectable experience that melts in your mouth.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this delightful treat with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

Each bite delivers a nostalgic blend of cinnamon, brown sugar, and perfectly spiced apples.

Get ready to turn your baking session into a delicious celebration of seasonal flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 9

Apple Pie Cookie Ingredients You’ll Love

• Apples: Crisp, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for vibrant flavor and firm texture.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright, zesty undertone.
• White Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create glossy filling.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and rich complexity.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce and creates silky, smooth consistency.
• Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that defines classic apple pie essence.
• Nutmeg: Subtle, nutty warmth that complements apple's natural sweetness.
• Water: Helps blend ingredients and create smooth sauce.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient for tender, flaky texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, buttery layers and supreme flakiness.
• Ice Water: Binds dough together without developing gluten.

• Caramel Sauce: Adds luxurious, golden sweetness.
• Egg: Creates beautiful golden-brown sheen.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Provides extra crunch and aromatic sweetness.

Tools to Bake Perfect Apple Pie Cookies Every Time

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating pie dough.
• Pastry blender: Perfect for cutting chilled butter into flour mixture for flaky crust.
• Saucepan: Crucial for cooking apple pie filling and creating smooth sauce.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing apples and preparing ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for stirring and preventing lumps in the filling.
• Round cookie cutter (2.5 inch): Key tool for shaping perfect pie cookies.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps ensure precise ingredient amounts.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Baking sheet: Provides even heat distribution for golden-brown cookies.
• Fork: Useful for beating egg wash and creating final cookie texture.

Step-by-Step for Creating Apple Pie Cookies

• Fruity Base Preparation

Slice apples and toss with citrus juice to prevent browning. Create a silky sauce by mixing spices and thickeners over medium heat, stirring until smooth and glossy. Simmer apple slices gently until tender but not falling apart. Let mixture cool completely.

• Tender Pastry Foundation

Blend flour with cold butter using fingertips until crumbly. Add chilled water gradually, forming a soft dough that holds together easily. Wrap pastry discs and rest in refrigerator to develop flavor and texture.

• Cookie Crafting

Roll out chilled pastry and spread creamy caramel across surface. Scatter cooled apple chunks evenly. Create decorative woven strips across filling. Use circular cutter to shape delicate rounds.

• Finishing Touches

Paint cookies with whisked egg for golden sheen. Dust generously with warm spice blend. Bake until edges turn perfectly crisp and center looks golden and tempting. Allow cookies to cool slightly before serving.

Flavor Variations for Apple Pie Cookie Filling

• Select tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet Honeycrisp to create unique flavor profiles in your filling, adding depth and complexity to each cookie.
• Keep butter and water ice-cold during preparation to ensure a flaky, tender pie crust that crumbles beautifully when bitten.
• Experiment with homemade or store-bought caramel sauces, including salted or bourbon-infused options to enhance the cookie's richness.
• Prepare cookie dough and filling in advance, then freeze unbaked cookies for up to one month, allowing quick and convenient dessert preparation anytime.
• Swap cinnamon sugar with chopped nuts, drizzle melted chocolate, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for unexpected flavor combinations that delight taste buds.

How to Serve Apple Pie Cookies Warm or Cool

• Cozy Family Dessert Companion: Perfect after-dinner treat that brings everyone together around the table, sharing warm memories and delightful bites.
• Versatile Serving Style: Pair these apple pie cookies with vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream for an extra luxurious touch that elevates the dessert experience.
• Holiday Party Showstopper: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with cinnamon sticks and small autumn leaves for a stunning presentation that captures seasonal charm and impresses guests with minimal effort.
• Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with twine, adding a handwritten note for a personal touch that transforms a simple treat into a heartwarming homemade gift perfect for teachers, neighbors, or family friends.

How to Store Apple Pie Cookies Without Softening

• Fridge Fresh Approach: Store apple pie cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days at refrigerator temperatures.
• Temperature Smart Strategy: Allow cookies to cool completely before refrigeration to prevent condensation and maintain crispy texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pie crust dough and apple filling up to 2 days in advance, storing separately in sealed containers to streamline baking process.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Wrap unbaked cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag for up to 6 weeks. Bake directly from frozen state, adding extra 5-7 minutes to cooking time.

Buttery Apple Pie Cookie Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic apple pie cookie blends nostalgic flavors with modern baking ease. Sweet cinnamon-spiced apples nestle between buttery cookie layers, delivering comfort in each delightful bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 2 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and chilled
• 3 apples (about 454 g), peeled and sliced into 8 slices each
• 1 and ¾ cups apple pie filling, chopped into small pieces
• 1 cup caramel sauce
• ¼ cup sugar
• 3 tbsps white sugar
• 3 tbsps brown sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• ¾ cup water
• ¼ cup ice water
• 3 tbsps corn starch
• 1–2 tbsps lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Dash of nutmeg
• (Alternatively, 1 package refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts))

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Instructions

1. Prepare Filling: Whisk cornstarch, sugars, spices, and water in a saucepan until glossy and thickened, then gently fold sliced apples into the sauce, simmering until tender without breaking down.
2. Develop Dough: Blend flour, salt, and sugar, cutting in chilled butter until crumbly, then gradually incorporate ice water to form a cohesive dough, dividing into two portions and chilling for one hour.
3. Assemble Layers: Roll out first crust, spread caramel sauce evenly, then scatter chopped apple filling across the surface, pressing gently to create a uniform layer.
4. Create Lattice: Cut second crust into delicate strips, weaving a classic lattice pattern over the apple filling to enhance visual appeal and texture.
5. Shape and Finish: Use a round cookie cutter to form individual cookies, transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet, brushing with beaten egg for a lustrous golden sheen.
6. Bake and Garnish: Dust cookies with cinnamon-sugar blend, then bake until edges crisp and surface transforms into a rich, golden-brown color, signaling perfect doneness.

Notes

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate pie dough for exactly one hour to ensure flaky, tender texture and prevent spreading during baking.
• Chop Apples Uniformly: Cut apple filling into small, consistent pieces for balanced flavor and even distribution in each cookie.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Cook apple filling until glossy but not watery to prevent soggy cookie bottoms and maintain crisp texture.
• Lattice Technique Matters: Weave pie crust strips gently and evenly to create a professional-looking top that allows steam to escape during baking.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg