Apple Pie Cookies - Stephanie's Sweet Treats (2024)

These apple pie cookies are a cinnamon thumbprint cookie full of apple pie filling! These cookies are perfect if you want apple pie, but in a cookie form! The cookies are cinnamon cookies that are coated in cinnamon that are filled with apple pie filling with a drizzle of salted caramel.

These apple pie cookies are the perfect cookies if you don't want to make a whole apple pie! They are thumbprint style that are full of homemade apple pie filling and topped with salted caramel.

For more apple recipes, try Apple Toffee Layered Cake, Apple Cider Donut Cake, and Caramel Apple Spice Cake.

Try this apple cider cheesecake and puff pastry apple tart!

Why This Apple Pie Cookie Recipe Works

• Cinnamon cookies- The cookie dough has cinnamon and the cookies also get rolled in cinnamon sugar after they baked.
• Apple filling- The apple pie filling is cooked with brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Salted Caramel drizzle- The cookies are drizzled with salted caramel for the perfect caramel apple pie filling.
• No mixer- This recipe doesn't need a mixer! It is all made by hand.

Step By Step Recipe Video

Ingredient Notes for Apple Pie Cookies

Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Apple- Use a gala apple. You can also skip making apple pie filling from scratch and just use canned pie filling.
• Brown sugar- I used light brown sugar.
• Cornstarch- This helps to thicken the filling. For the dough, it helps to give it a softer texture.
• Unsalted butter- For the filling, it can be cold before melting. For the caramel, it needs to be room temperature and cubed. For the cookie dough, it needed to be melted and cooled.
• Eggs- Pull the large eggs out 2 hours before baking.
• Salted caramel- You can also use store bought caramel, however homemade caramel is so much better.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
• Gluten free- I haven't tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.

Step By Step Instructions

Here is how to make and bake the cookies, apple pie filling, and salted caramel. This recipe doesn't need an electric mixer.

STEP 1: Apple pie filling. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Then, add the chopped apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Cook until everything starts to thicken.

STEP 2: Salted caramel. Check out my salted caramel recipe for more tips and tricks on making caramel. Start by heating the sugar in a small saucepan. Heat the sugar until all the sugar crystals melted. Use a whisk to mix.

Next, let it turn amber in color and remove from heat. Add the butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt.

STEP 3: Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, salt, and baking powder.

STEP 4: Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Use a whisk to mix until smooth.

Then, add in the flour mixture and use a rubber spatula to mix until just combined.

STEP 5: Scoop. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then use a large cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough. Place on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Then, use a ⅛ measuring scoop or the bottom of a spice jar to press a hole into the cookie dough. It will create jagged edges, so use your hands to soften it and press back into a circle.

STEP 6: Bake. Bake the cookies for 11 minutes. Then, take them out of the oven and press the measuring cup back down to make sure there is a good hole. Then, bake for another 1-3 minutes.

Cool completely on a cooling rack.

STEP 7: Brush the cookies. Brush the cookies with melted butter using a pastry brush and dip them in the cinnamon sugar.

STEP 8: Decorate the cookies. Fill the holes with the apple mixture and drizzle caramel sauce on top.

Expert Baking Tips

• Flour- Make sure the flour gets spooned and leveled. If you stick the measuring cup into the bag of flour then it will become compacted. Compacted flour causes the cookies not to spread.
• If the cookies spread too much, make sure the butter was completely cool. Even warm butter will cause the cookies to spread too much. Also, make sure you bake the cookies on parchment paper.
• The cinnamon sugar on top of the cookies are optional, but it makes the cookies so fun!
• If you live at high altitude, add an extra 2 Tablespoons of flour. This will help with the spread.

FAQ

Recipe Variations

• You can skip the cinnamon sugar around the cookie to save time.
• You can also use store bought caramel to save time.

• Parchment paper: I use premade sheets of parchment paper vs the roll of parchment paper. It makes baking a lot easier!
• Large cookie scoop: I love this OXO cookie scoop.

Storing and Freezing

Store these caramel apple pie cookies in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

Freezing

Freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container and freeze up to 30 days. Thaw for 1-2 hours before eating.

Other Cookie Recipes To Try

Try These Apple Recipes

• Apple cider cookies
• Apple pie cheesecake
• Caramel apple cheesecake bars
• Apple cinnamon rolls
• Puff pastry apple tart

Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram@stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideasfollow me on Pinterest.

📖 Recipe