If you adore the classic comforts of apple pie but want a fun, handheld twist, these Apple Pie Cookies are your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine tender, cinnamon-spiced cookies hugging a sweet, tender apple filling topped with luscious salted caramel—the perfect combination of flavors and textures that will have everyone asking for more. These Apple Pie Cookies are a tried-and-true crowd pleaser, blending all the cozy vibes of dessert into a delightful bite-sized treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple yet essential ingredients that bring together the unmistakable taste and comforting aroma of apple pie in a cookie form. Each component plays a key role, from the crisp apples and warm spices to buttery cookies and rich caramel, creating layers of flavor and perfect texture.

Gala apple (150 g): Offers sweet, tender slices that become the heart of the filling.
Butter (15 g + 10 g + 110 g): Adds richness to the filling, caramel, and cookie dough for a moist, tender result.
Dark brown sugar (25 g + 100 g): Brings deep molasses notes, enhancing the caramelized flavors and cookie sweetness.
Lemon juice (1 tsp): Brightens the apple filling and balances sweetness.
Cinnamon (1/2 tsp + 1 1/2 tsp + 1 tsp): The star spice that infuses warmth and classic apple pie aroma.
Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp + 1 tsp): Adds sweet, fragrant depth to both the filling and cookie dough.
Granulated sugar (45 g + 50 g + 100 g): Sweetens the caramel, filling, and dough, creating a perfect balance.
Heavy cream (50 g): Provides creaminess for the salted caramel sauce.
Salt (pinch + 1/2 tsp + pinch): Enhances flavors and adds a subtle contrast especially in the salted caramel.
Egg (1 large): Binds the cookie dough and adds moisture.
All-purpose flour (230 g): Forms the structure of the cookies, ensuring a tender crumb.
Baking powder and baking soda (1/2 tsp each): Give the cookies a perfect rise with just enough chewiness.

How to Make Apple Pie Cookies

Step 1: Create the Apple Pie Filling

Start by rinsing, peeling, and coring your Gala apple, then carefully slice it thin to ensure each bite has tender, flavorful apple bits. Toss the apples into a pan with butter, dark brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Let the mixture simmer on medium heat for about 8 to 9 minutes until the apples soften and the syrup thickens into a luscious coating. This filling is the soul of your Apple Pie Cookies, so let it cool completely to room temperature before assembling.

Step 2: Whip Up the Salted Caramel

While the apple filling cools, prepare a luscious salted caramel to drizzle over the cookies later. Melt granulated sugar and water gently in a saucepan, watching carefully as it turns a golden amber—this caramel aroma is simply irresistible. Stir in butter until melted, then slowly add heavy cream while stirring constantly to create a smooth, glossy sauce. Finish off with a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and set it aside to cool.

Step 3: Mix the Cookie Dough

Gently melt butter without overheating, then combine it with granulated and dark brown sugars until creamy and well mixed. Add the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until everything comes together like the start of cookie magic. In a bowl of dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt—whisk together, then fold into the wet mixture just until combined. Overmixing will make the cookies tough, so keep it light!

Step 4: Shape, Chill, and Bake

Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out the dough into 11 balls. Roll each in cinnamon sugar to coat, which adds a crackly, flavorful crust after baking. Arrange them spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to help them hold their shape. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180ºC (355ºF). Bake the cookies one tray at a time for 10 to 11 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

Step 5: Make the Indent and Assemble

As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press down the center of each with a ¼ cup measure or tablespoon to create a perfect little well. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. This indentation will hold the apple filling and caramel wonderfully. Once cooled, spoon in the apple filling and drizzle generously with the salted caramel sauce. Your Apple Pie Cookies are now ready to delight!

How to Serve Apple Pie Cookies

Garnishes

Adding an extra sparkle to your Apple Pie Cookies can be so much fun. A sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts brings a satisfying crunch and earthy flavor, while a tiny dusting of powdered sugar evokes the nostalgic look of freshly fallen snow. For an elegant touch, a drizzle of warm white chocolate or a small dollop of whipped cream can elevate these cookies to dessert-table showstoppers.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with warm beverages. A mug of cinnamon-spiced apple cider or a robust cup of coffee complements the spices and sweet apple flavor perfectly. For a decadent twist, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a small dish of crème fraîche to add cool, creamy contrast to the warm, soft cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation makes eating Apple Pie Cookies feel extra special. Arrange them on a rustic wooden board adorned with cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices to emphasize their homemade charm. For parties, stack them in a pretty jar tied with a gingham ribbon or serve on mini dessert plates with individual caramel drizzles for an interactive, elegant touch. These little details add joy to every bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Apple Pie Cookies keep beautifully at room temperature for up to three days when stored in an airtight container, maintaining their tender texture and flavorful filling. To keep the caramel drizzle from making the cookies soggy, consider storing the caramel separately and drizzling just before serving.

Freezing

If you want to make these Apple Pie Cookies in advance, freeze the baked cookies without filling or caramel. Once frozen solid, store them in a sealed freezer bag or container for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw completely, then fill with apple mixture and caramel just before serving to enjoy fresh flavors with no sacrifice in quality.

Reheating

To revive the freshly baked taste, gently warm the filled Apple Pie Cookies in a low oven at 150ºC (300ºF) for 5 minutes or microwave briefly until warm—watch carefully to avoid melting the caramel too much. The warming releases all the wonderful aromas and softens the cookies to their perfect texture again.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for the filling?

Absolutely! While Gala apples are sweet and tender, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples also work wonderfully if you prefer a bit more tartness or crunch in your filling. Just adjust cooking time slightly if the apples are firmer.

Is there a way to make these Apple Pie Cookies vegan?

You can substitute the butter with vegan margarine and use a flax egg in place of the large egg to make the cookies vegan-friendly. Just be aware that texture and flavor might have subtle differences but still delicious!

How do I prevent the caramel from hardening too much?

Keeping a bit of cream handy lets you gently reheat and loosen the caramel if it hardens in your jar. Also, storing the caramel in an airtight container in the fridge and warming it gently before use helps maintain its perfect drizzle consistency.

Can I make smaller or larger cookies?

Yes! Just keep in mind smaller cookies will bake faster and have less depth for filling, while larger ones need more baking time but offer more apple and caramel in each bite. Adjust baking time accordingly and enjoy experimenting!

What’s the best way to transport these cookies without mess?

To avoid caramel smudges, pack the cookies with filling and caramel separately and assemble on-site. If fully assembled, layer the cookies with parchment paper between them and keep cool.

Final Thoughts

There is something so wonderfully nostalgic yet exciting about these Apple Pie Cookies that makes them a must-try for any dessert lover. They carry all the warmth and sweetness of a traditional pie but are so easy to pop into your mouth one after another. Take some time to make these, share them with friends and family, and enjoy the beautiful combination of flavors that feels like a big, cozy hug.

Apple Pie Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 6 reviews

Author: Simon
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 11 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Apple Pie Cookies are a delightful twist on classic apple pie, combining tender spiced apple filling with a soft cinnamon sugar cookie base, topped with rich salted caramel. Perfect for cozy afternoons or special occasions, these cookies are bursting with classic autumn flavors and a gooey caramel finish.

Instructions

Prepare Apple Pie Filling: Rinse, peel, and core the gala apple. Slice the apple thinly. Add apple slices to a large pan with butter, dark brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat for 8-9 minutes until apples are tender and coated in a thick sugar glaze. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature or refrigerate.
Make Salted Caramel: In a small saucepan, melt granulated sugar and water over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until caramel turns a golden brown color. Remove from heat, stir in butter until melted, then cautiously add heavy cream a little at a time while stirring—caramel will bubble vigorously. Continue stirring for 1 minute until smooth. Add a pinch of salt, stir well, then transfer to a shallow bowl to cool to room temperature or refrigerate.
Prepare Cookie Dough: Melt butter gently without bubbling; cool to room temperature about 20 minutes. In a large bowl, mix cooled butter with granulated sugar and dark brown sugar for 1 minute using a spatula or stand mixer paddle. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, folding until just combined.
Shape and Chill Cookies: Using a medium 2-ounce cookie scoop or ¼ cup (55 g), scoop dough into 11 balls. In a small bowl, mix 50 g granulated sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Roll each dough ball in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place on baking sheet lined with baking paper. Chill cookies in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
Bake Cookies: Preheat oven to 180ºC (355ºF). Arrange 6 cookies on one baking tray and 5 on another, baking one tray at a time. Bake for 10-11 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft. Immediately after removing from oven, press a ¼ cup or tablespoon measure into the center of each cookie to create an indent.
Cool and Assemble: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, fill each cookie indent with prepared apple filling and drizzle generously with salted caramel. Store any leftover caramel in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Use tart or sweet-tart apples like gala or Fuji for best flavor and texture.
Ensure butter is melted but not overheated to retain moisture in the cookie dough.
Pressing an indent immediately after baking helps hold the filling and prevents the cookies from cracking.
Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for longer freshness.
Salted caramel can be reheated gently before drizzling if it becomes too thick.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American