Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, especially when it comes to the apples and spices. I always opt for crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness and keep that fresh, bright flavor popping through. Using real cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg makes all the difference in capturing that authentic apple pie taste. I also like to keep the butter cold for a tender, flaky dough that melts in your mouth. If you’d prefer a slightly healthier twist, swapping half the butter for coconut oil works beautifully, too.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening the filling)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix the chopped apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Set aside to let the flavors meld while you prepare the dough.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and pinch of salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Whisk the egg and vanilla extract together, then add to the flour mixture. Stir gently until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overwork it.
- Divide the dough in half and roll each half out on a lightly floured surface into roughly a ¼-inch thick rectangle.
- Using a round cookie cutter (about 2.5 inches), cut circles from the dough. Place half the circles onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Spoon a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) of the apple filling onto the center of each dough circle, leaving room at the edges.
- Top each filled circle with another dough circle, pressing the edges gently to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative touch.
- Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies turn a light golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Apple Pie Cookies, recipe, cooking, food
