I absolutely love how this Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe combines the classic flavors of apple pie into a perfectly portable, bite-sized treat. These cookies come out tender, buttery, and filled with that warm, cinnamon-spiced apple goodness we all crave, making them a real crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a cozy fall afternoon or a holiday party, you’ll find these cookies hit the sweet spot without any fuss.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed by how simple it was to pull together yet how impressive the results looked and tasted. You don’t need to be a pro baker to make these — just a little patience and a few heartfelt tips I’ll share along the way. Trust me, this Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe is going to be your new go-to when you want something delicious but not complicated.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples for a wholesome homemade treat.
- Perfect Portion Size: Bite-sized cookies with all the comfort of apple pie, but easier to share and eat.
- Versatile and Customizable: Can be adapted for dairy-free diets and tweaked to suit your taste.
- Impressive Yet Easy: A recipe that looks fancy but won’t intimidate even novice bakers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to these cookies’ magic lies in a balance of comforting spices, fresh apples, and a tender, flaky dough. Each ingredient plays its part to give you that iconic apple pie flavor packed into cookie form.
- All-purpose flour: This is the foundation for your dough, giving structure while staying tender.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness and helps caramelize the apples.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors—don’t skip it!
- Cinnamon, all-spice, ginger, nutmeg: Classic apple pie spices that give those warm cozy notes.
- Dairy-free butter: Cold and cubed for a flaky texture; I love using vegan butter for a dairy-free option but regular butter works too.
- Ice water: Keeps the dough moist yet not sticky, essential for flaky crust.
- Small apples: Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Fuji work beautifully here.
- Brown sugar and lemon juice: Brown sugar adds caramel notes and lemon juice brightens up the filling.
- Vanilla extract: Brings out the natural sweetness of the apples.
- Almond milk and agave nectar: Used as a dairy-free “egg wash” to help the cookies brown nicely.
- Powdered sugar and water: For the simple glaze that finishes the cookies with a touch of sweetness and shine.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe is how flexible it is. I encourage you to make it your own by playing around with different add-ins or dietary tweaks to fit your kitchen and cravings.
- Use Different Apples: I’ve tried these with Gala and Honeycrisp apples, which add a nice sweetness variation if you prefer milder tartness.
- Add Nuts: Toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans to the filling for a bit of crunch—my family goes crazy for that texture.
- Gluten-Free Option: You can swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend; just be sure to check the dough’s consistency carefully.
- Spice it Up: Feel free to add a pinch of ground cloves or cardamom for more complex fall flavors.
How to Make Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Flaky Dough
Start by pulsing the flour, spices, sugar, and salt together in a food processor. Then add the cold, cubed dairy-free butter and pulse until you get a sand-like texture—that flaky magic you’re after. Gradually add ice water, just 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough starts to form a ball but isn’t sticky. If you don’t have a food processor, no worries! You can cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or fork and then stir in the water. Once done, shape the dough into a disc, wrap it up, and chill in the fridge for at least an hour. Chilling helps the dough relax and keeps the butter cold, resulting in those flaky layers.
Step 2: Cook the Apple Filling
While the dough chills, dice your apples small—mini bites are key here. Toss them with sugar and lemon juice, then cook them in melted dairy-free butter over medium heat. Stir often during the first few minutes to dissolve the sugar and let everything mingle. After that, cover and reduce heat so the apples soften and release their juices, which takes about 7 minutes. Drain the cooked apples using a sieve, and don’t forget to save that juicy liquid! Return the liquid to the pan and simmer it until it’s thick and caramelized—this adds so much flavor depth. Finally, mix the apples back in with the reduced liquid, vanilla extract, and spices, then let it cool while you prep your dough.
Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F and divide your chilled dough in half. Roll out one half on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick and cut out circles using a pastry cutter or cup. Brush each round with the almond milk and agave nectar “egg wash” to help everything brown. Spoon about a tablespoon of the apple filling in the center of each circle. Roll out the other half of the dough, slicing it into strips for a beautiful lattice top. Arrange the lattice strips over each cookie, pinching edges tightly to seal; crimp them with a fork for that classic look. Brush the lattice tops with “egg wash” again and sprinkle some sugar on for a sparkling finish. This part always feels like a little baking art project – don’t rush it, you’ll appreciate how beautiful these turn out!
Step 4: Bake and Glaze
Bake your apple pie cookies for 20-25 minutes, until the dough turns a lovely light golden shade. While the cookies bake, whisk together powdered sugar and water for a simple glaze. After the cookies cool completely on a wire rack, drizzle the glaze over them for that extra touch of sweetness and polish. I love this finishing glaze — it’s subtle but really elevates the cookie without overpowering the apple spice filling.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
- Keep Butter Cold: I discovered that using cold, cubed butter and chilling the dough really makes your cookies flaky and tender.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix just until the dough comes together; too much handling can make it tough instead of flaky.
- Use Small Apple Pieces: I’ve found dicing apples small keeps the filling juicy but prevents soggy cookies.
- Seal Edges Well: Crimping with a fork really helps prevent filling leaks and keeps your cookies looking neat.
How to Serve Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little extra cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a subtle crunch and warming aroma. For serving, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a gentle drizzle of caramel sauce takes these cookies from simple to special. Sometimes, I even add a tiny dollop of dairy-free whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream — it’s like having dessert and a snack in one!
Side Dishes
These cookies shine on their own but are wonderful paired with warm beverages like a spiced chai latte or a cup of fresh coffee. At a brunch, I like to serve them alongside pumpkin muffins or cinnamon oatmeal for a full fall-themed spread that everyone raves about.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or gatherings, I arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board with little apple slices and cinnamon sticks for a charming touch. Making cut-out cookie shapes with the dough before filling is another fun way to add personality, especially for kids’ parties. Wrapping individual cookies in parchment paper and tying them with twine also makes adorable homemade gifts your friends and family will cherish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Easy Apple Pie Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they keep nicely for about two days without losing their tender texture. If I want them to last longer, I pop them into the fridge, which extends their freshness for up to five days. Just make sure the container isn’t too airtight to avoid sogginess, and bring them to room temperature before enjoying.
Freezing
I haven’t personally frozen these cookies yet, but based on experience with similar bakes, you can try freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container. When you want to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge and refresh in a warm oven for a few minutes. If you give freezing a shot, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat these cookies is in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to regain that fresh-baked warmth and crisp edges. Microwaving works in a pinch but sometimes makes the dough a little softer, so I reserve that method for quick snacks. Enjoy them warm with a cup of tea for pure comfort.
FAQs
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Can I use regular butter instead of dairy-free butter?
Absolutely! Regular butter will work just as well in this recipe and may even add a little extra richness. Just make sure it’s cold and cubed before mixing, so your dough stays flaky.
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Do I need to peel the apples?
You don’t have to peel them if you don’t mind a bit more texture in your filling. However, peeling gives a smoother, gooier filling if that’s your preference. I’ve made it both ways and both turn out delicious.
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Can this dough be made ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge. Just let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling out to make it easier to handle.
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What’s the best way to store the baked cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness up to 5 days. Keep them separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
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Can I freeze the filled but unbaked cookies?
You can! Freeze the assembled cookies on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake them from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed. This is a great way to prep ahead for busy days.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it marries the soul-soothing charm of apple pie with the convenience of a cookie. It’s the kind of recipe I recommend to friends when they want to impress without stress. I hope you’ll enjoy making these as much as my family and I do — they bring a little cozy magic to any day, big or small!
