Description
Make soft, buttery cookies filled with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples. This recipe captures the flavor of apple pie in a simple, handheld cookie format.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely diced peeled apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the apple filling: Combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples soften and the mixture thickens, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined into a soft dough.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form the cookies: Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled apple filling in the center. Gently fold the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching to seal completely, forming a ball. Roll lightly to smooth the surface.
- Place the sealed cookie balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between them.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers should remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Use firm, tart apples for the best texture in the filling.
- If the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping the cookies.
- For a richer flavor, use half brown sugar and half granulated sugar in the cookie dough.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 95
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 35