Sweet Apple Pie Cookies Recipe: Bite-Sized Homemade Joy

Crisp autumn days call for a delightful apple pie cookies twist that brings comfort right to your plate.

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen drift through the air as these miniature treats take shape.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance together, promising a delectable experience that captures classic dessert magic.

Perfectly sized for snacking, these cookies deliver all the rich flavors of traditional pie in one adorable bite.

Buttery pastry edges curl around tender apple chunks, creating a mouthwatering profile that beckons from the baking sheet.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet impressive recipe with just a few basic ingredients.

Each cookie represents a little slice of nostalgia wrapped in golden, flaky goodness.

Dive into this recipe and transform your afternoon with a sweet, spiced adventure.

Why Apple Pie Cookies Hit the Spot

• Craft delightful apple pie cookies with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners wanting to explore pastry making.
• Compact, individual-sized treats that deliver all the warm, comforting flavors of classic apple pie in a convenient, shareable format.
• Suitable for casual gatherings, potlucks, school events, or weekend family baking sessions, these cookies bring everyone together with their irresistible aroma and taste.
• Adapt the recipe by experimenting with different spices, adding nuts, or drizzling with caramel to make each batch uniquely yours.

Apple Pie Cookie Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for creating a tender cookie crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
• Brown Sugar: Provides rich caramel-like flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky texture in the crust.
• Egg: Helps bind the dough together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor.

• Apples: Provides the classic fruity center of the cookie.
• Brown Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes the apple mixture.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, classic apple pie spice.
• Nutmeg, Allspice: Complementary spices that enhance apple flavor.

• Egg Wash, Water: Used for sealing and browning the cookie edges.

Make Apple Pie Cookies Easily

Step 1: Blend Pastry Base

Use a food processor to combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt.

Pulse the ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed and create a uniform texture.

Step 2: Incorporate Butter

Add cold butter cubes into the flour mixture.

Pulse the processor until the texture transforms into coarse, sandy crumbs that look like small pebbles.

Step 3: Form Dough

Introduce egg and vanilla to the crumbly mixture.

Continue pulsing until the ingredients bind together and form a cohesive dough.

Step 4: Chill Dough

Wrap the prepared dough in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for one hour to allow the ingredients to rest and solidify.

Step 5: Prepare Apple Filling

• Diced apples
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground allspice

Mix all filling ingredients thoroughly in a separate bowl.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7: Roll and Cut Dough

Roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness.

Use a circular cookie cutter to create 3-inch rounds.

Step 8: Create Cookie Tarts

Place a small spoonful of apple filling in the center of each dough circle.

Carefully fold the edges upward, pinching to create a sealed mini tart shape.

Step 9: Bake Cookies

Transfer the prepared cookie tarts to the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Top Tips for Apple Pie Cookies

• Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to ensure a flaky, tender cookie texture that holds its shape perfectly during baking.
• Cut apples into small, consistent pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent soggy or undercooked filling in your cookies.
• Drain excess liquid from apple filling to prevent cookies from becoming too wet and losing their crisp, delicate structure.
• Select sturdy baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that maintain their shape and provide a nice tartness to balance the sweet cookie base.
• Pinch cookie edges firmly to prevent filling from leaking during baking, ensuring a neat and professional-looking final result.

How to Store Apple Pie Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months for best quality.
• Warm each cookie on medium power for 15-20 seconds. Check temperature to prevent overcooking and maintain crispy edges.
• Place cookies on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil. Warm at 275°F for 5-7 minutes to restore original texture and warmth.

What Pairs with Apple Pie Cookies

• Pair Sweet Sips: Cinnamon-spiced apple cookies dance perfectly with warm chai latte, highlighting the dessert's warm autumn flavors and complementing its sweet-spicy profile.
• Mellow Wine Match: Select a late harvest Riesling or Gewürztraminer, whose subtle sweetness and light acidity beautifully balance the cookie's rich buttery texture and apple filling.
• Creamy Companion: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or soft whipped cream, creating a delightful contrast between the warm, crisp cookie and cool, smooth accompaniment.
• Nutty Beverage Boost: Enjoy with roasted almond milk or hazelnut coffee, which enhances the cookies' warm spice notes and adds depth to the overall tasting experience.

Apple Pie Cookie Variations

• Gluten-Free Apple Pie Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version. Use certified gluten-free ingredients to ensure safety.
• Vegan Apple Pie Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Replace egg with flax egg or applesauce to bind the dough. Choose plant-based sweeteners like maple syrup.
• Low-Sugar Apple Pie Cookies: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar. Reduce overall sugar content by half. Select tart apples to maintain natural sweetness without excess added sugar.
• Keto-Friendly Apple Pie Cookies: Swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour. Use sugar-free sweetener like erythritol. Replace apples with lower-carb alternatives like chayote or zucchini to mimic apple texture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of apples for the filling?

Yes, you can use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples. Each variety will bring a slightly different flavor and texture to the cookies.

• Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Absolutely! Chilling helps prevent the butter from melting too quickly and ensures a flakier, more tender cookie crust.

• How can I prevent the cookies from leaking filling?

Make sure to pinch the edges tightly and not overfill the cookies. A small amount of filling works best to keep the edges sealed during baking.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful apple pie cookies blend homemade comfort with portable charm, creating miniature desserts packed with cinnamon-spiced flavors. Crisp pastry edges and warm apple filling invite sweet memories, promising delectable moments you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Pie Crust Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apple Filling Ingredients:

• 2 Granny Smith apples (peeled and finely diced)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of allspice

Spice Measurements:

• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) nutmeg
• Pinch of allspice

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pastry dough by combining flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt in a food processor, blending until uniform.
2. Incorporate cold butter cubes into the mixture, pulsing until the texture resembles coarse, crumbly fragments.
3. Add egg and vanilla extract, processing until the dough coheres into a unified mass.
4. Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60 minutes to firm and develop flavor.
5. Create the apple filling by gently tossing diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, allowing flavors to meld.
6. Heat the oven to 350°F, preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Roll the chilled dough to a thin 1/8-inch thickness, cutting precise 3-inch circular shapes.
8. Deposit a small mound of spiced apple mixture directly in the center of each pastry circle.
9. Carefully lift and crimp the pastry edges upward, forming rustic-style mini tarts and ensuring complete sealing.
10. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges transform into a rich, golden-brown color and the filling bubbles slightly.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie edges during baking.
• Use cold butter and handle pastry minimally to ensure a flaky, tender texture in your cookies.
• Substitute gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the delicate cookie structure.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 201
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg