These apple pie cookies are the perfectly baked treat for your autumn cravings! They look just like mini pies are are so delicious.
Tiny things make me SO happy. Whether it’s small versions of recipes, tiny sized decor, or animals that are bred to be minis . . . I love it. Smallness makes me squeal.
The thing is – there’s actually psychology behind cuteness. I wanted to know more so I did a little research and found this great post on why we love tiny stuff.
“The mind finds the tiny object appealing—cute and adorable—as it evokes a sense of normalcy and oddity at the same time.”
-Carla Marie Manly, PhD
How do I respond to this professionally . . . Yassssss Carla! It’s so true for me. Tiny things are odd but normal at the same time.
We’ve done plenty of bite sized desserts around here, like mini pumpkin pies, lemon blueberry bundt cakes, vanilla cakes, and mini cheesecakes.
With fall desserts right around the corner, it was time to make a small apple recipe just for the season. SO, I’d love to introduce you to this apple pie cookies recipe!
Which, as you can see, are basically mini homemade pies. They are perfect for fall, Halloween, all the way through Thanksgiving.
The crust of these cookies is buttery and will melt into your mouth, and you’re going to love the apple filling. These are delicious!
Before you dive in, I’ve got some tips for you on making the best cookies ever. If you’re interested, check them out. Otherwise scroll to the bottom for the apple pie cookie recipe.
Tips for Making Delicious Pie Cookies
Here’s what I always make sure to pay attention to.
Use Quality Ingredients
Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture. You’ll for sure want to get fresh eggs, good quality butter, and pure vanilla extract (instead of imitation).
Measure Precisely
Flour is often the main dry ingredient in these cookies. Measure using the scoop-and-level method, as adding too much flour can result in dry baked goods.
Chill the Dough
Chilling the cookie dough in the fridge for the specified time (or even overnight) before baking allows the flavors to meld and the fats to solidify. This results in cookies with better flavor and texture. It also prevents them from spreading too much during baking.
Look for Golden Edges
Unless the recipe says otherwise, the edges of the cookies should turn a golden brown while the center remains slightly soft. This balance ensures a chewy texture without overbaking.
Cool Before Transferring
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and avoids them becoming too fragile and crumbling apart.
Have fun and enjoy the process of creating these delicious baked goods! Here’s what you’re going to need for these apple pie cookies.
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups cold butter
- 6 Tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1.6 lb golden apples peeled and in small squares
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 1/2 Tablespoons apple juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Soft caramel (6 teaspoons) – try our salted caramel sauce
Topping
- 1 egg for egg wash
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Tools
- Pizza or dough cutter
- Ruler (makes it way easier to cut the lattice)
Notes About This Recipe
- Yes, you can substitute pre packaged pie crust for the homemade if you would like to shortcut.
- You don’t have to make lattice work tops. You can make them look like regular pies with pinched edges, or do any designs you like!
- Just like regular apple pie, these are delicious with vanilla ice cream.
Store these in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days. You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months.
Get the delicious recipe for these cookies below.
Apple Pie Cookies
These cookies look just like mini apple pies! Learn how to make this cute and delicious fall dessert.
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups cold butter, cut into small chunks
- 6 Tablespoons of cold water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1.6 lb of golden apples, peeled and cut into small squares
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 1/2 Tablespoons apple juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 6 teaspoons soft caramel
Topping
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a bowl combine the flour, butter, and salt. Manually mix until you still have a few chunks. Little by little add in the water to moisten, and continue kneading the dough manually until it's all perfectly combined.
- Place your dough on your counter and divide into two even balls. Be sure to add some flour to your counter beforehand so it doesn't stick.
- Roll the dough out to about 1/4" or a bit thinner. Transfer it onto a silicone or any tray and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Repeat for the other ball of dough.
Make the Apple Pie Filling
- In a large bowl combine the apples with the sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, cornstarch, flour, apple juice, and lime juice.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add in the apple mixture and cook for about 8 - 10 minutes until the apples have softened. Once they are ready, remove from the heat and set aside.
Form the Cookies
- Once the dough is ready, cut one of the dough trays into 11-12 circles using a 3-inch cutter. Transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing each about two inches apart.
- With your other tray, cut the dough into thin lattice tops, about .2 inches thick and 4 inches long for each lattice. You will need 6 per pie.
- Once you have your circles and lattice, preheat your oven to 375 F. Begin your pies by spreading a bit of caramel onto the center of each of the circles. You'll cover about the size of a quarter in the middle.
- Add 1 1/2 Tablespoons of the apple mixture on top of the caramel. Try to keep it in the center.
- Arrange the lattice tops over each dough circle; three from top to bottom and three going across. Press the edges a little bit so they stick to the bottom dough.
- Place an egg into a bowl and beat. Brush the lattice tops with egg wash.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle on top of each of the pies.
- Place in the oven and bake for 25 - 30 minutes, or until your dough looks golden brown. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Notes
Use a biscuit cutter, circle cookie cutter, or knife around the edges of the mini pies to make them clean like you see pictured.
These are great with vanilla ice cream!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 467Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 394mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 3gSugar: 19gProtein: 5g
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