Irresistible Apple Pie Cookies: Your New Favorite Fall Dessert Recipe

Discover the magic of homemade Apple Pie Cookies – a delightful twist on a classic American dessert. These charming, bite-sized treats encapsulate all the warm, comforting flavors of traditional apple pie, but in a much more convenient and utterly irresistible cookie form. Perfect for autumn festivities, bustling holiday dessert tables, or simply satisfying that craving for a cozy, spiced apple treat any time of year.

If you adore the comforting essence of apple pie but are looking for a dessert that’s easier to prepare, serve, and share, then this easy Apple Pie Cookies recipe is your ultimate answer. These miniature marvels feature a tender, flaky pastry crust generously filled with sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple chunks, often complemented by a luscious hint of caramel for an extra layer of decadence. Each cookie offers a nostalgic flavor profile, reimagined into a fun, handheld delight.

They are an ideal choice for fall baking projects, potlucks, school events, or for when you want to enjoy the taste of a full apple pie without the extensive baking process. If you’re a devoted fan of apple desserts, this cookie recipe is an absolute must-try. Our family also loves these when I whip up a batch of Apple Pie Cupcakes for a different kind of apple-infused treat.

While undoubtedly a quintessential fall treat, these apple pie cookies are so universally delicious that they can be enjoyed year-round. Consider enhancing the flavor further with our Easy Apple Pie Spice Recipe, which you can easily customize. If you’re exploring other seasonal flavors, you might also fall in love with our Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe for another festive, bite-sized option.

Why This Apple Pie Cookie Recipe Works So Well

• All the Flavor, Significantly Less Effort: You get the authentic, heartwarming taste of classic apple pie without the laborious process of preparing, baking, and slicing a full-sized pie. These cookies come together quickly, making them perfect for last-minute cravings or busy schedules.
• Perfectly Portion-Controlled and Easily Shareable: These individual cookies are inherently portion-controlled, making them fantastic for parties, lunchboxes, bake sales, or dessert trays. No need for plates or forks – just grab and enjoy! Their small size also makes them ideal for sharing with friends and family.
• A Fun and Creative Twist on a Beloved Favorite: Take the beloved flavors of cinnamon, sweet apples, and a rich, buttery crust, and present them in an exciting new format. This cookie version keeps things interesting and often becomes a conversation starter at any gathering. It’s a delightful surprise for anyone expecting a traditional pie.
• An Excellent Make-Ahead Option: These apple pie cookies store beautifully and can be prepared in advance, which is a huge advantage during hectic holiday baking seasons or when planning for future events. Their ability to retain freshness makes them a reliable choice.

Key Ingredients for Apple Pie Cookies

Crafting these delectable apple pie cookies requires just a few simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Apple Pie Filling: For ultimate convenience, store-bought apple pie filling works wonderfully and saves a significant amount of time. If you prefer a homemade touch, you can certainly make your own. When selecting apples for homemade filling, excellent choices include Golden Delicious for sweetness, Honeycrisp for crispness and balanced flavor, Granny Smith for a tart contrast, or Pink Lady for a beautiful color and sweet-tart profile.
• Refrigerated Pie Crust: Using pre-made, refrigerated pie crusts is the secret to the simplicity and speed of this recipe. They provide a perfectly flaky base without the hassle of making dough from scratch. However, if you enjoy baking from scratch, feel free to use our 3 Ingredient Pie Crust Recipe, which is incredibly easy to make with all-purpose flour.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: This ingredient adds a layer of rich, buttery sweetness and a delightful salty contrast that truly elevates the apple flavor. You can use your favorite store-bought brand for ease, or for an even more gourmet touch, consider our Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe. If you prefer a less salty flavor, simply use regular caramel sauce.
• Egg: A single lightly beaten egg is used for an egg wash, which gives the pie crust a beautiful golden-brown sheen and a slightly crisp texture when baked.
• Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple pie, cinnamon adds that familiar warmth and aromatic depth. Adjust the amount to your personal taste – some prefer a subtle hint, while others love a bolder cinnamon presence.

For the complete, detailed list of ingredients with precise measurements, please scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the recipe card.

Delicious Variations for Your Apple Pie Cookies

While the classic apple pie cookie is utterly delightful, there are many ways to customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences or to add an extra touch of flair:

• Experiment with Pie Filling Flavors: Apple is a timeless choice, but don’t limit yourself! These cookies can be adapted to almost any pie filling. Imagine cherry pie cookies with a sweet-tart burst, blueberry pie cookies for a summery twist, or blackberry, braeburn, and peach for unique fruit combinations.
• Embrace or Simplify the Lattice Crust: A beautiful lattice top certainly adds a professional and appealing look to your cookies. However, if you’re short on time or prefer a simpler approach, you can easily place a solid piece of pie crust on top of the apple filling. It will still taste fantastic!
• A Touch of Sea Salt: For those who love the sweet and salty combination, a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies before baking can really enhance the caramel and apple flavors.
• Alternative Cookie Dough Base: Instead of using pie crust, you could experiment with other doughs. Our Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe offers a different texture and flavor profile, creating a softer, chewier “pie-cookie” hybrid.

How to Make Apple Pie Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

Making these apple pie cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these simple steps to create your delicious treats:

• Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Environment. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). While the oven heats, line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling. Carefully spoon the apple pie filling onto a clean cutting board. Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, cut the larger apple pieces into smaller, more manageable bite-sized chunks. This ensures even baking and makes the cookies easier to eat. Stir the chopped apples gently with a rubber spatula and sprinkle them with any additional spices you desire (like extra cinnamon or a touch of nutmeg). If you’re using store-bought filling, you generally won’t need to add cornstarch to thicken it, as it’s already prepared for pies.

Step 3: Assemble the Cookie Base. Unroll one of the refrigerated pie crusts onto your cutting board or a lightly floured work surface. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the salted caramel sauce evenly across the entire surface of the pie crust dough. Next, spoon the prepared chopped apple mixture on top of the caramel sauce, distributing it as uniformly as possible, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 4: Create the Lattice Top. On a separate cutting board or work surface, unroll the second pie crust. Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut this crust into thin strips, approximately ¼ inch wide. Carefully arrange these strips over the apple filling on the first crust to create a beautiful lattice pattern. If a full lattice feels too intricate, you can simply lay strips horizontally and vertically for a simpler, yet elegant, crisscross design.

Step 5: Cut and Arrange the Cookies. Using a 2.5-inch round cookie cutter, carefully cut out individual cookies from the prepared pie crust “sandwich.” Gently transfer each cutout cookie to your parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a small space between each one to allow for even baking.

Step 6: Apply the Egg Wash. In a small bowl, lightly beat one egg. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the tops of all the cookies with the beaten egg. This egg wash will help achieve that beautiful golden-brown color and slightly crisp finish.

Step 7: Sprinkle and Bake. In a separate small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Generously sprinkle this fragrant cinnamon-sugar mixture over the center of each cookie. Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cookie crusts are beautifully golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Once baked, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.

Delightful Serving Suggestions

These Apple Pie Cookies are fantastic on their own, but they can be elevated with a few simple additions:

• Pair with Ice Cream: For an ultimate dessert experience, serve these cookies warm, topped with generous scoops of No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream. I love placing a couple of these mini apple pie cookies in a bowl and then adding a dollop of ice cream on top. The combination of warm apple and cold, creamy vanilla is simply decadent.
• A Cloud of Whipped Cream: A dollop of light and airy Homemade Whipped Cream adds a touch of elegance and complements the richness of the cookies beautifully.
• Dust with Confectioners’ Sugar: A simple sprinkle of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) over the cooled cookies adds a beautiful finish and a subtle touch of sweetness, making them look even more appetizing.

Pro Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Cookies

To ensure your apple pie cookies turn out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Simplify the Crust Topping: If creating an intricate lattice top feels a bit challenging, don’t fret! You can achieve a lovely look by simply laying strips of pie crust dough horizontally and vertically across the cookies. It still looks impressive and makes the process much quicker and simpler.
• Effortless Strip Cutting: A pizza cutter is your best friend when it comes to cutting even strips of dough for either a lattice or a simple crisscross topping. It’s far quicker and yields cleaner, more uniform results than using a knife.
• Maximize Leftovers Smartly: Never discard leftover pie dough scraps or excess apple filling! Gather the extra dough, roll it out, and press it into mini pie dishes or ramekins. Add the remaining apple filling, and you’ve got yourself a quick, delightful mini apple pie. Even a small batch of these “bonus” pies makes a delicious treat, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
• Ensure Apples Are Diced Small: When preparing the apple filling, it’s crucial to dice the apples into small, uniform, bite-sized pieces. Larger chunks won’t soften and bake evenly within the small cookie form and can overwhelm the delicate size of the cookies, making them difficult to eat.
• Always Line Your Baking Pan: To prevent sticking and promote consistent baking, always line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This simple step not only guarantees that your cookies release easily but also makes cleanup a breeze.

Storage & Freezing Apple Pie Cookies

These apple pie cookies are just as delicious the next day, and proper storage ensures they remain fresh and delightful:

Store any leftover apple pie cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To prevent them from sticking together, especially if they are still slightly warm or have a caramel drizzle, place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer of cookies. For extended freshness, you can also wrap individual cookies or small stacks in plastic wrap before placing them in the container.

If you prefer the comforting taste of warm cookies, simply reheat one or two in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds before serving. They’ll taste wonderfully soft, warm, and full of that cozy apple flavor, almost as if they just came out of the oven.

For longer-term storage, these cookies freeze exceptionally well. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until they are firm. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature or reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven for a fresh-baked taste.

More Irresistible Apple Desserts You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of these apple pie cookies, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic apple-based desserts:

• Classic Apple Dumplings Recipe
• Quick Mini Apple Pie Bites Recipe
• Easy Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Recipe
• Rustic Apple Crostata Recipe
• Comforting Crock Pot Apple Crisp

Now it’s your turn to bake these delightful Mini Apple Pies in cookie form! Please leave a comment below and share your star rating once you’ve tried this wonderful recipe. We love hearing from you!