Apple Pie Cookies

5.0 from 1 vote

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.