Imagine the warm, comforting flavors of a classic apple pie, but in a cute, handheld form! These Apple Pie Cookies are everything you love about traditional apple pie—tender, buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and a sweet, golden finish—all wrapped up in a cookie that’s perfect for snacking, sharing, or gifting.
These cookies are a fantastic way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie without the hassle of making a full pie. Plus, they’re portable and easy to eat on the go. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want to have a batch on hand for every cozy moment!
Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Cookies
Perfectly Portable: These cookies are like mini apple pies that you can take anywhere—great for lunch boxes, picnics, or road trips.
Easier Than Pie: No need for pie plates or fussing over crimped edges. These cookies come together with basic kitchen tools and a few easy steps.
Customizable Flavors: You can easily adjust the spices, swap out the type of apple, or even add a handful of raisins or chopped nuts to the filling.
Impressively Delicious: With their golden, flaky crust and gooey apple filling, these cookies are sure to impress anyone who tries them.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 2 medium apples, peeled and finely diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Ingredient Tips
Apples: Choose apples that are firm and slightly tart, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape well when baked and provide a lovely contrast to the sweet spices.
Butter: Make sure the butter is cold for the flakiest crust. You can even chill it in the freezer for a few minutes before cutting it into the flour.
Lemon Juice: This adds a bit of brightness to the filling and helps to prevent the apples from browning.
Spices: Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon or nutmeg based on your personal taste. You can also add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for an extra layer of flavor.
Instructions Outline
Preheat and Prep:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water and mix just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Apple Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix well and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
Roll Out the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut out circles. Place the circles on the prepared baking sheet.
Assemble the Cookies:
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the apple filling onto the center of each dough circle. Roll out the second portion of dough and cut out additional circles. Place these on top of the apple-filled circles, then press the edges with a fork to seal.
Finish and Bake:
Brush the tops of the cookies with beaten egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
Cool and Enjoy:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Suggestions
These Apple Pie Cookies are perfect on their own, but they can also be paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. A warm mug of apple cider or hot tea would make a lovely accompaniment, especially on a crisp fall day.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Storing Leftovers:
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezing Instructions:
These cookies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips:
You can make the dough and apple filling up to 2 days in advance. Keep the dough wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator and store the filling in an airtight container. Assemble and bake the cookies when ready to enjoy!
Variations
Add Nuts or Dried Fruit:
Mix in some chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins with the apple filling for added texture and flavor.
Caramel Apple Twist:
Drizzle some caramel sauce over the apple filling before sealing the cookies for a gooey, caramel apple experience.
Glaze It Up:
Make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk, and drizzle it over the cooled cookies for a sweet finishing touch.
Change Up the Fruit:
Swap out the apples for pears or peaches for a different flavor profile. Just be sure to adjust the sugar amount based on the sweetness of the fruit.
Spice Variation:
Try adding a bit of cardamom or ginger to the filling for a warm, spicy twist.
Final Note
These Apple Pie Cookies are the perfect treat to bake when you want all the cozy flavors of apple pie without the fuss of making an entire pie. They’re delicious, easy to make, and versatile enough to suit your personal tastes. Plus, they’re just so darn cute! Make a batch for your next gathering or enjoy them with a hot drink and a good book—you won’t regret it!
Apple Pie Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 2 medium apples peeled and finely diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar optional, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough forms. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix well and set aside.
- Roll out one portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut circles from the dough. Place circles on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of apple filling onto the center of each dough circle. Roll out the second portion of dough and cut more circles. Place these over the apple filling and press edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.