Soft, chewy Apple Cookies made with chunks of real apple and a delicious cinnamon glaze. So good… you’ll never be able to eat just one!
You know when you have an idea of exactly what you want to eat? A craving… if you will? Well, a craving is exactly how these Apple Cookies came to be.
It all started with a trip to a local apple orchard, where we always pick way more apples than we can eat. (For some reason, when we’re picking them ourselves, we have absolutely no self control!) Which works out well when I have baking on my mind.
I had been wanting to make apple cookies for a while… ever since I saw a recipe for them in an old family cookbook. So I decided to give them a try. They turned out just okay… but there was no way I was giving up on my craving. And so here we are, three versions later, and they’re complete perfection.
These Apple Cookies are crispy around the edges and soft and chewy on the inside. They’re packed with chunks of real apple, which I LOVE, and they have amazing flavor from the apple pie spice and vanilla extract. And that glaze on top? Don’t even get me started!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Butter – Butter is a key ingredient in cookies, adding moisture, flavor and richness to the dough. I used 1/2 cup unsalted butter in this recipe (substitute salted butter and reduce the added salt to 1/4 teaspoon.)
Brown sugar – Sugar adds sweetness to this recipe. I used 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, but you can also substitute granulated sugar or use a combination of the two.
Egg – 1 egg helps the dough bind together and gives structure to the cookies.
Vanilla – Vanilla extract rounds out the apple + cinnamon flavor, giving the cookies a deeper flavor.
Flour, salt & baking powder – All purpose flour, salt and baking powder are the baking trio and are necessary ingredients in these cookies. Substitute 1:1 gluten free baking flour if you prefer.
Apple pie spice – Apple pie spice is made up of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom and cloves and gives these cookies a warm apple pie flavor. Substitute cinnamon and/or individual spices for the combo.
Apples – I added 1 cup of peeled, finely chopped apples. I used Gala, but any of your favorite apples will work well.
Glaze – A simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, cinnamon and vanilla extract is the perfect finishing touch.
how to make apple cookies
Combine the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter & sugar using a hand mixer until the butter is completely incorporated into the sugar. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and apple pie spice. Mix until flour is completely incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Add the apples. Fold in the chopped apples.
Scoop, bake & glaze. Use a 1 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the cookies onto a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, then glaze while still warm.
Tips for Success
Use room temperature ingredients. For best results, start with room temperature (or slightly warmer) butter and a room temperature egg. To soften butter straight from the fridge, I cut the stick in half and microwave it at 3 second intervals. Be sure to check it often, flipping each time, just until slightly softened.
Cream the butter & sugar completely. The mixture should resemble a chunky, grainy spread, almost like a thick peanut butter.
Chop the apples small. The smaller the apples, the easier the dough is to scoop. You can also grate your apples, but I prefer the texture when they’re chopped.
Add the glaze while hot. I add the glaze right when the cookies come out of the oven, so it almost melts right into them. For best results, make sure the cookies are still warm.
Recipe Variations
- Make them gluten free with GF flour (follow substitution instructions)
- Grate the apples instead of chopping them
- Substitute cinnamon for the apple pie spice
- Substitute granulated sugar for brown sugar
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans
- Make an apple cider glaze using powdered sugar and apple cider only
- Omit the glaze for less sweetness
storage tips
Apple Cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. They can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage.
More Recipes Using Fresh Apples
Got apples? Get baking! These are some of our favorite recipes using fresh apples:
Glazed Apple Cookies
Equipment
- 1 cookie scoop medium
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup apples finely chopped
Glaze
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter & sugar using a hand mixer until the butter is completely incorporated.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and apple pie spice. Mix until flour is completely incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Fold in the chopped apples.
- Use a 2 Tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake until golden brown; glaze while still warm.
- Cool 5-10 minutes on baking sheet, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Tips for Success
Use room temperature ingredients. For best results, start with room temperature (or slightly warmer) butter and a room temperature egg. To soften butter straight from the fridge, I cut the stick in half and microwave it at 3 second intervals. Be sure to check it often, flipping each time, just until slightly softened.
Cream the butter & sugar completely. The mixture should resemble a chunky, grainy spread, almost like a thick peanut butter.
Chop the apples small. The smaller the apples, the easier the dough is to scoop. You can also grate your apples, but I prefer the texture when they’re chopped.
Add the glaze while hot. I add the glaze right when the cookies come out of the oven, so it almost melts right into them. For best results, make sure the cookies are still warm.
Recipe Variations
- Make them gluten free with GF flour (follow substitution instructions)
- Grate the apples instead of chopping them
- Substitute cinnamon for the apple pie spice
- Substitute granulated sugar for brown sugar
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans
- Make an apple cider glaze using powdered sugar and apple cider only
- Omit the glaze for less sweetness
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