Gooey Apple Pie Cookies Recipe: Bite-sized Bliss

Sweet, buttery aromas of homemade apple pie cookies dance through your kitchen, promising a delightful twist on a classic dessert.

These bite-sized treats capture all the warmth and nostalgia of traditional apple pie in one irresistible morsel.

Crisp autumn apples folded into a delicate, flaky dough create a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Each cookie delivers a burst of cinnamon-spiced goodness that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The delicate pastry edges crisp up beautifully, while the soft apple center provides a comforting richness.

Sprinkled with a light dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies turn an ordinary afternoon into a memorable indulgence.

Dive into this delectable recipe and transform your baking routine with these charming, miniature apple pie delights.

How to Make Apple Pie Cookies

Sweet Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

• Cookie Base

Craft a delicate cinnamon-infused cookie dough that melts in your mouth. The secret is allowing the mixture to rest, letting flavors develop and texture become perfectly smooth.

• Apple Magic

Create a luscious apple filling by gently simmering fresh apple slices with warm spices. The mixture transforms into a rich, fragrant compote that captures autumn’s essence.

• Caramel Drama

Develop a golden caramel sauce by slowly transforming sugar into a luxurious amber nectar. The careful process ensures a deep, complex flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.

• Cookie Shaping

Carefully form each cookie with a gentle indentation, creating a perfect nest for the apple filling. Bake until edges turn a beautiful golden brown, promising a crisp exterior.

• Delightful Assembly

Spoon the apple filling into each cookie’s center, then drizzle the homemade caramel with a playful flourish. The result is a handheld dessert that captures the warmth of a classic apple pie in a single, irresistible bite.

• Finishing Touch

Dust the edges with a sparkling cinnamon sugar blend, adding a final layer of sweet sophistication that makes these cookies truly unforgettable.

Cookie Tips: Apple Pie Version

• Replace traditional apples with Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady for unique flavor profiles and texture variations.
• Prepare apple pie filling and salted caramel up to three days in advance, storing separately in sealed containers inside the refrigerator.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same delicious cookie texture and taste.
• Enhance cookie warmth by adding ground nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for deeper, more complex flavor dimensions.
• Keep assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for two days, or refrigerate for extended freshness without compromising taste quality.

Serving Apple Pie Cookies Deliciously

• Cozy Autumn Gathering Platter: Arrange these delightful apple pie cookies on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices for a stunning presentation that screams fall comfort.
• Dessert Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a warm mug of spiced chai tea or vanilla bean latte to complement the rich caramel and apple flavors, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Ice Cream Companion: Top each cookie with a small scoop of vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream, letting the cool creaminess melt slightly over the warm, gooey caramel and apple filling for an indulgent treat.
• Gifting Presentation: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with autumn-colored ribbons, adding a small cinnamon stick or dried apple slice as a charming decorative touch for homemade gift giving.

How to Store Apple Pie Cookies Correctly

• Quick Fridge Storage: Seal apple pie cookies in an airtight container, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. These delightful treats will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Magic: Individually wrap each cookie in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers. Frozen cookies maintain their delicious flavor for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Room Temperature Tips: Keep cookies in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Best consumed within 2 days for maximum crispness and flavor intensity.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare cookie dough, apple filling, and caramel sauce separately up to 3 days in advance. Store each component in separate refrigerated containers, assembling just before serving to maintain optimal texture and taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 230 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients for Apple Pie Cookies

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create smooth, glossy texture.
• Apple Slices: Provide sweet, tangy base with soft, tender bite and classic pie essence.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel undertones and helps create silky, thick consistency.
• Cornstarch: Acts as natural thickening agent for perfect filling texture.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice that complements apple's natural sweetness.

• Sugar: Transforms into golden, rich caramel base with deep complex flavor.
• Butter: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps stabilize caramel sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, velvety texture and balances caramel's intensity.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall depth and provides subtle aromatic sweetness.
• Salt: Elevates caramel's complexity and creates delightful sweet-salty contrast.

• Flour: Provides structural foundation for tender, soft cookie base.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, delicate cookie texture with gentle rise.
• Cinnamon: Infuses warm, comforting spice throughout cookie dough.
• Cornstarch: Contributes to ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Melted Butter: Creates rich, tender crumb with deep buttery notes.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and complex caramel-like sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides classic sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
• Vanilla: Brings subtle, elegant aromatic undertone.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to smooth, cohesive dough.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Provides final aromatic, sweet coating with delightful crunch.

Apple Pie Cookie Tools Checklist

• Medium saucepan: Essential for cooking apple pie filling and caramel sauce.
• Small saucepan: Perfect for creating smooth salted caramel.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining cookie dough ingredients.
• Medium mixing bowl: Useful for mixing dry cookie ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for blending caramel and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: Helps mix cookie dough and scrape sides of bowls.
• Measuring cup or spice jar: Helps create indentations in cookie dough.
• Baking sheets: Required for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and crisp up.

Rustic Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Sweet and nostalgic apple pie cookies bring classic American dessert flavors into bite-sized treats. Crisp pastry edges and warm cinnamon notes create irresistible comfort that you will savor with each delightful morsel.

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Ingredients

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• 3 ¼ cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup (100 g) white granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) white granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar, packed
• 3 Gala apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream, at room temperature

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Instructions

1. Crafting Apple Pie Filling: Melt butter in a saucepan, blend sliced apples with brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon, simmering until the mixture thickens and apples soften, approximately 5 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Creating Salted Caramel: Carefully transform sugar into a rich amber color, gradually introduce butter cubes while whisking, then slowly pour heavy cream, stirring as the mixture bubbles. Incorporate vanilla and salt, then set aside to cool.
3. Preparing Cookie Dough: Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl. Whisk melted butter with brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and eggs until smooth. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, allowing dough to rest for 10 minutes.
4. Baking Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Form dough into uniform balls, creating circular indentations using a measuring cup or spice jar.
5. Baking Process: Bake for 11 minutes, reinforcing the center indentation. Continue baking 1-3 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack.
6. Finishing Touches: Brush cookies with melted butter and coat edges with cinnamon sugar. Fill cookie centers with prepared apple pie filling and generously drizzle salted caramel over the top of each cookie.

Notes

• Chill Dough Effectively: Resting the dough for 10 minutes helps develop better cookie texture and prevents spreading during baking.
• Master Caramel Technique: Watch sugar closely while melting to avoid burning; use medium-low heat and constant stirring for smooth, perfect caramel.
• Precision in Indentation: Create uniform cookie centers by using a consistent tool like a measuring cup or spice jar to ensure even filling placement.
• Temperature Control: Remove cookies from oven when edges are golden brown to maintain soft centers and prevent over-baking, which can lead to dry cookies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg