Apple pie cookies are a delightful twist on two classic desserts, combining the flavors of warm apple pie with the convenience of cookies to create a treat that’s perfect for fall baking. These little treats have a cinnamon-spiced cookie base filled with homemade apple pie filling and drizzled with caramel sauce.
I love how these cookies capture the essence of apple pie in a portable form. The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples fills my kitchen as they bake, reminiscent of a traditional pie but with a fraction of the effort. Plus, they’re ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a quick snack.
My recipe includes a homemade apple filling that’s easy to prepare and adds an authentic touch. And to top it all off, a generous drizzle of rich caramel sauce adds a decadent touch that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
These Apple Pie Cookies drizzled with caramel sauce bring together all the classic flavors of an apple pie in a bite-sized treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a casual get-together, or simply want a comforting dessert to enjoy at home, these cookies are sure to impress.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need a variety of ingredients to create both the cookie dough and the apple filling.
Cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, browned
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Apple Filling
- 2 cans apple filling, rinsed
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup + teaspoon brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Homemade Caramel Sauce
- 2/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How To Make Apple Pie Cookies
Preparing the Dough for Cookies
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a baking sheet (9×13 inch) lining it with parchment paper and set it aside.
Mix the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, add the browned butter. Whisk in both the white and brown sugars, mixing until they are fully combined.
Add Wet Ingredients: Crack in both eggs and add the vanilla extract. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold the ingredients together until a thick dough forms.
Shape the Dough: Use a 2-inch scooper to form balls from the cinnamon dough. Place each dough ball on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the oven for 12 minutes, or until they have spread and crinkles have formed on the surface.
Preparing the Apple Pie Filling
Prepare the Apples: While the cookies are baking, strain the canned apples, rinsing off the thick sauce surrounding them. Continue rinsing until they are clean, then transfer the apples to a saucepan.
Combine Ingredients in Saucepan: In the saucepan, add all the sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla, and water at once.
Cook the Filling: Place the saucepan over medium heat on the stove and stir the mixture until combined.
Thicken the Filling: As the mixture heats, it will become thicker. Bring it to a boil, stirring every minute or so to prevent sticking and ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Break Down the Apples: As the mixture becomes hot and the apples soften, use your stirring utensil to break the apples into smaller chunks.
Cool the Filling: Once the mixture has boiled and thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Preparing the Caramel Sauce
If you prefer a quicker option, you can use a high-quality store-bought caramel sauce. Simply warm it slightly to make it easier to drizzle. The rich, buttery caramel will add a luscious layer of flavor to your apple pie cookies, making them even more irresistible.
Heat Sugar and Water: In another saucepan, pour in the water and sugar. Heat over medium heat until it reaches a boil, stirring occasionally until the mixture turns an amber color.
Add Butter and Cream: Once the mixture reaches an amber color, add in the butter and heavy cream. Whisk over medium-low heat until the ingredients are melted and combined.
Finish the Caramel: Remove the saucepan from the heat and add salt to the caramel.
Assembling the Cookies
Cool the Cookies: Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
Add Apple Filling: Place the apple filling into the center of each cookie, leaving about ½ inch of space from the edges of the cookie.
Drizzle with Caramel: Use a spoon to drizzle the homemade caramel sauce on top of the apple pie cookies.
Serve: Serve the cookies and enjoy them while they are warm.
These Apple Pie Cookies are perfect on their own, but you can always serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert pairing.
They also make a wonderful accompaniment to a cup of coffee or hot tea, perfect for a cozy afternoon treat.
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you need to reheat them, a few seconds in the microwave will do the trick, bringing back that fresh-baked warmth and flavor.
These cookies are also great for gifting – simply package them in a decorative box or tin, and you have a homemade gift that’s sure to delight.
Apple Pie Cookies
These Apple Pie Cookies combine the best of cookies and apple pie into one tasty treat. They’re quick and easy to make with no need to chill the dough, and the simple ingredients are easy to find. The homemade apple pie filling, ready in just 10 minutes, adds a sweet, spiced flavor to the soft, chewy cookies. Perfect for anyone who loves both cookies and apple pie!