Awesome Apple Pie Cookies: A Slice of Autumn in Every Bite!

Autumn’s crisp air and vibrant colors inspire warm, comforting flavors, and what better way to capture that essence than with **Apple Pie Cookies**? These aren’t your average cookies; they’re miniature apple pies, bursting with cinnamon-spiced apples and wrapped in a tender, buttery crust. If you love apple pie but crave a quicker, more portable treat, you’ve come to the right place. This recipe delivers all the deliciousness of apple pie in convenient, bite-sized form.

This detailed guide will walk you through each step, ensuring your apple pie cookies are a resounding success. We’ll cover everything from selecting the best apples to achieving the perfect golden-brown crust. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of autumn!

## Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Cookies

* **Portable Apple Pie:** Enjoy the taste of apple pie on the go without the fuss of slicing and serving.
* **Easy to Make:** While they look impressive, these cookies are surprisingly simple to create, even for beginner bakers.
* **Perfect for Fall:** The warm spices and apple filling evoke the cozy feeling of autumn.
* **Customizable:** Adjust the spices, apples, and even the crust to your personal preferences.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** Make a batch ahead of time and freeze them for a quick and delicious treat whenever you need it.
* **Great for Sharing:** These cookies are perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these amazing apple pie cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

**For the Crust:**

* **2 ½ cups all-purpose flour:** Provides the structure for the cookie crust.
* **1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes:** Creates a flaky and tender crust. Make sure the butter is very cold!
* **½ cup vegetable shortening, chilled:** Adds extra flakiness and tenderness to the crust. You can substitute with all butter, but the texture will be slightly different.
* **½ teaspoon salt:** Enhances the flavors of the crust and other ingredients.
* **½ cup ice water:** Binds the dough together. Add it gradually, as you may not need the full amount.
* **1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional):** Helps to tenderize the dough. You can substitute with white vinegar or lemon juice.

**For the Apple Filling:**

* **4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala), peeled, cored, and diced:** Choose a variety of apples for a balanced flavor.
* **¼ cup granulated sugar:** Adds sweetness to the filling.
* **¼ cup packed light brown sugar:** Adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor to the filling.
* **2 tablespoons all-purpose flour:** Helps to thicken the filling.
* **1 teaspoon ground cinnamon:** A classic apple pie spice.
* **½ teaspoon ground nutmeg:** Adds warmth and complexity to the filling.
* **¼ teaspoon ground ginger:** Provides a subtle spicy kick.
* **¼ teaspoon salt:** Enhances the flavors of the filling.
* **2 tablespoons unsalted butter:** Adds richness and flavor to the filling.
* **1 tablespoon lemon juice:** Prevents the apples from browning and adds a touch of acidity.

**For the Egg Wash (Optional):**

* **1 egg, beaten:** Gives the cookies a golden-brown, shiny finish.
* **1 tablespoon milk or water:** Thins the egg wash for easier application.

**For the Sugar Topping (Optional):**

* **Granulated sugar:** Adds a touch of sweetness and sparkle to the cookies.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large mixing bowl:** For mixing the crust ingredients.
* **Food processor (optional):** Makes the crust-making process faster and easier.
* **Pastry blender or fork:** For cutting the butter and shortening into the flour.
* **Measuring cups and spoons:** For accurate ingredient measurements.
* **Rolling pin:** For rolling out the dough.
* **Round cookie cutter (2-3 inches):** For cutting out the cookie shapes.
* **Baking sheets:** For baking the cookies.
* **Parchment paper:** To line the baking sheets and prevent sticking.
* **Small saucepan:** For cooking the apple filling.
* **Pastry brush (optional):** For applying the egg wash.
* **Wire rack:** For cooling the cookies.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of awesome apple pie cookies:

**Part 1: Making the Crust**

The key to a flaky, tender crust is cold ingredients and minimal handling. This prevents the gluten from developing too much, resulting in a tough crust.

1. **Combine dry ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. **Cut in the butter and shortening:** Add the cold, cubed butter and chilled shortening to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Alternatively, you can pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to over-process!
3. **Add ice water and vinegar:** Gradually add the ice water and apple cider vinegar (if using) to the flour mixture, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this will develop the gluten and make the crust tough. If the dough is too dry, add a little more ice water, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time.
4. **Form the dough into discs:** Divide the dough in half and form each half into a flat disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This chilling time allows the gluten to relax and the butter to solidify, resulting in a flakier crust.

**Part 2: Preparing the Apple Filling**

While the dough is chilling, prepare the apple filling.

1. **Combine the filling ingredients:** In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Stir to combine.
2. **Cook the filling:** Add the butter and lemon juice to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the filling has thickened, about 10-15 minutes. The apples should be tender but still hold their shape. If the filling becomes too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. **Cool the filling:** Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the filling cool completely before using. This will prevent the crust from becoming soggy.

**Part 3: Assembling the Cookies**

Now comes the fun part: assembling the apple pie cookies!

1. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. **Roll out the dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 2-3 inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles. Re-roll the scraps to get as many circles as possible. Repeat with the second disc of dough.
3. **Fill the cookies:** Place a spoonful of cooled apple filling in the center of half of the dough circles. Don’t overfill, or the filling will spill out during baking.
4. **Top with the remaining circles:** Place the remaining dough circles on top of the filled circles, gently pressing the edges to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative touch and to ensure a good seal. Alternatively, you can use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out vents in the top of each cookie to allow steam to escape.
5. **Egg wash (optional):** In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk or water. Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg wash for a golden-brown, shiny finish.
6. **Sugar topping (optional):** Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with granulated sugar for a touch of sweetness and sparkle.
7. **Bake the cookies:** Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
8. **Cool the cookies:** Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

## Tips for Success

* **Keep ingredients cold:** Cold butter and shortening are essential for a flaky crust. Make sure your butter and shortening are well-chilled before starting.
* **Don’t overmix the dough:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix just until the dough comes together.
* **Chill the dough:** Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and the butter to solidify, resulting in a flakier crust.
* **Don’t overfill the cookies:** Overfilling the cookies will cause the filling to spill out during baking.
* **Use a variety of apples:** Using a combination of sweet and tart apples will create a more complex and flavorful filling.
* **Adjust the spices to your liking:** If you prefer a more intense flavor, add more cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger.
* **Make ahead:** The dough and filling can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
* **Experiment with different crusts:** Try using a pre-made pie crust or a shortbread crust for a different flavor and texture.
* **Add nuts or dried fruit:** Add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the apple filling for extra flavor and texture.
* **Serve with ice cream or whipped cream:** Serve the warm cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent dessert.

## Variations and Additions

These apple pie cookies are delicious as is, but feel free to experiment with different variations and additions to customize them to your liking. Here are a few ideas:

* **Caramel Apple Pie Cookies:** Add caramel sauce to the apple filling for a decadent twist.
* **Cranberry Apple Pie Cookies:** Add dried cranberries to the apple filling for a festive holiday flavor.
* **Pecan Apple Pie Cookies:** Add chopped pecans to the apple filling or sprinkle them on top of the cookies before baking.
* **Maple Apple Pie Cookies:** Substitute maple syrup for some of the sugar in the apple filling for a warm, autumnal flavor.
* **Cheese Apple Pie Cookies:** Add a layer of cream cheese filling between the crust and the apple filling for a rich and creamy treat.
* **Gluten-Free Apple Pie Cookies:** Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

## Storing and Reheating

* **Storing:** Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them fresh longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
* **Reheating:** To reheat the cookies, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds, but be careful not to overheat them, or they will become soggy.

## Serving Suggestions

These apple pie cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:

* **Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.**
* **Drizzle with caramel sauce or chocolate sauce.**
* **Sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.**
* **Serve with a cup of coffee or tea.**
* **Pack them in a lunchbox or take them on a picnic.**
* **Give them as a homemade gift.**

## Conclusion

These **Apple Pie Cookies** are a delightful treat that captures the essence of autumn in every bite. With their flaky crust, warm apple filling, and customizable options, they’re sure to become a new favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these awesome cookies! Enjoy!