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These Apple Pie Cookies are filled with homemade apple pie filling and wrapped in a buttery, flaky pie crust! They’re the perfect holiday cookie for sharing with friends and family on Thanksgiving or throughout the fall season. Give them a try the next time you go apple picking!
Table of Contents
What is better than warm Apple Pie? Apple pie cookies! These cookies are essentially mini apple pies filled with the flavor of apple pie and will fit in the palm of your hand. If you love apple recipes during this time of year, these cookies are a must-try!
Make sure to try these apple desserts next: Vegan Apple Cobbler, Apple Crisp, Apple Cider Coffee Cake, Apple Butter, and this delicious Vegan Apple Galette with Peanut Butter Caramel.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for the complete recipe card for full measurements and instructions.
For the “Pie Crust”
- Flour: The base of the crust is all-purpose flour. We have not tested these cookies using gluten-free flour and are not sure if it would work well.
- Sugar: White granulated sugar adds a subtle sweetness and keeps the color of the crust light.
- Spices: The pie crust is simply spiced with cinnamon, all-spice, and ginger. Alternatively, you can replace these spices with 3/4 teaspoon of an apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice.
- Butter: We used vegan butter to make these apple pie cookies vegan, however, this crust will also likely work with room-temperature coconut oil.
- Ice water: Very cold water is necessary to keep the vegan butter pieces solid. If the butter melts in the crust dough, it won’t be light and flaky.
For the Pie Filling
- Butter: Helps to caramelize and add flavor when sautéing the homemade apple pie filling.
- Apples: Just like in our classic Vegan Apple Pie, the best apples to use are a blend of 2-3 chopped apples. Try Gala, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, fuji, or Granny Smith apples!
- Sugar: A mix of granulated white sugar and light brown sugar adds sweetness and helps to draw the moisture out of the apples. If you’re out of brown sugar, try making your own homemade brown sugar, or opt for coconut sugar.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the sweet, rich filling and balances the flavor. We highly recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice when possible.
- Vanilla: A small splash of vanilla extract adds depth of flavor to the sweet apple pie filling and enhances the warm aromas in the spices.
- Spices: A simple mix of cinnamon and nutmeg compliments the sweet apples and makes the best, delicious apple pie cookies.
“Egg” Wash + Glaze
- Non-dairy milk + agave: Milk and agave are used to brush the top of the lattice crust to add color and subtle sweetness. It also helps the turbinado sugar stick to the crust. We used almond milk, but any unsweetened non-dairy milk can work in this pie recipe.
- Sugar: Additional granulated sugar is optional, but adds the perfect sweet, crunchy top to the apple pie cookies.
Equipment Needed
- Food processor
- Plastic wrap or reusable wrap
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Colander or fine mesh sieve
- Rolling pin
- Biscuit cutter or cup
- Pastry brush
- Baking trays (2)
- Wire cooling rack
- Whisk
How to Make Apple Pie Cookies
Make the Crust
- Pulse together the dry ingredients. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the flour, spices, sugar, and salt.
- Add the butter. Into the food processor, add in the vegan butter and pulse together until the mixture reaches a sand-like consistency.
- Add water. Add in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is moist enough to hold together and forms a ball.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and shape the dough into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare by hand. This dough can also be made manually. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt until uniform. Using either a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the vegan butter into the flour mixture until a sand-like consistency forms. It’s okay if the butter pieces are uneven. Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time. Mix together with a wooden spoon or spatula. You most likely won’t need all the ice water; the dough should still be crumbly but should hold together when squeezed.
Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
- Coat the apples in sugar and lemon. Add the fresh apples to a medium-sized mixing bowl along with the sugar and lemon juice. Mix together until evenly combined.
- Sauté the apples. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is warm and the butter is melted, add in the apple mixture. Cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes or until the sugar dissolves and begins to simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the apples soften and release their juices, about 7 minutes.
- Strain and thicken the apple pie filling. Transfer the apples to a colander or fine mesh sieve over a medium bowl to catch all of the juice. Mix the apples and shake the colander to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Return the juices to the skillet, and simmer over medium-low heat until thickened and lightly caramelized, about 4-6 minutes.
- Toss to combine. Transfer the drained apples back to the medium-sized mixing bowl, and toss the apples with the reduced juice, vanilla extract, and spices. Set aside to cool.
Make the Cookies
- Roll out half the dough and cut into circles. Cut the chilled dough in half and place the second half back in the refrigerator until ready to use. Roll half of the dough out until about 1/4″ thick. Using a pastry cutter or a cup, cut circles in the dough.
- Brush with “egg” wash. In a small bowl, combine the almond milk and agave. Using a pastry brush, brush each round with the “egg” wash.
- Add pie filling. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the apple pie filling onto the center of each cookie.
- Roll out the remaining dough. Remove the remaining dough from the refrigerator and roll it out to about 1/4″ thick. Slice into strips to use as lattice tops.
- Decorate the tops of the cookies. Arrange the strips of dough on top of the cookie rounds in a lattice top, then press them together around the cookie to seal. Remove any excess lattice around each cookie with the round cookie cutter. Using a fork, crimp the edges around the cookie to ensure it is fully sealed. Brush with “egg” wash again.
- Bake. Sprinkle each apple pie cookie with sugar and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is lightly golden.
- Prepare the glaze. While the cookies bake, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and water until a smooth icing forms. Set aside.
- Serve. Let the apple pie cookies cool completely on a wire rack, then drizzle the cookies with the glaze as desired, and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a store-bought pie crust to make pie cookies?
If you prefer to use a store-bought pie crust for simplicity, feel free! In order to make both the top and bottom crusts of the cookies, you may need to purchase and roll out two store-bought crusts.
How do I prevent the cookies from becoming soggy from the pie filling?
The best way to prevent the cookies from becoming soggy is to make sure the juices in the pie filling are thick and caramelized. If the filling is too runny, it is more likely to seep out of the cookies and make the bottom crust soggy.
Additionally, make sure to keep the cookie filling no more than 1 tablespoon. If the cookies are over-filled, they are more likely to become soggy.
Should I peel the apples for cookies?
The apples can be peeled, but it isn’t entirely necessary. If you prefer a really smooth, gooey apple filling, it is a good idea to peel them before sautéing. If you don’t mind a bit of extra texture in the filling, no need to peel!
Storage Instructions
Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want your cookies to last longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
We have not tested freezing these cookies, but it may work. If you give it a try, let us know in the comments how it works for you!
More Delicious Fall Cookie Recipes You May Enjoy:
Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you make this recipe. We love to see your photos!
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Easy Apple Pie Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Description
These Apple Pie Cookies are filled with a homemade apple pie filling and wrapped in a buttery, flaky pie crust! They’re the perfect holiday cookie for sharing with friends and family on Thanksgiving or throughout the fall season. Give them a try the next time you go apple picking!
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 1/4 cup (150g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon all-spice
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 cup dairy-free butter, cold and cubed
- 2–4 tablespoons ice water
Filling
- 2–3 small apples, diced small (2 heaping cups diced)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar plus more for sprinkling on the cookies
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, tightly packed
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (28g) dairy-free butter
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of nutmeg
“Egg Wash”
- 2 tablespoons almond milk
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
For the Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Make the Crust
- Pulse together the dry ingredients. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the flour, spices, sugar and salt.
- Add the butter. Into the food processor, add in the vegan butter and pulse together until the mixture reaches a sand-like consistency.
- Add water. Add in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is moist enough to hold together and forms a ball.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and shape the dough into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare by hand. This dough can also be made manually. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt until uniform. Using either a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the vegan butter into the flour mixture until a sand-like consistency forms. It’s okay if the butter pieces are uneven. Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time. Mix together with a wooden spoon or spatula. You most likely won’t need all the ice water; the dough should still be crumbly but should hold together when squeezed.
Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
- Coat the apples in sugar and lemon. Add the fresh apples to a medium-sized mixing bowl along with the sugar and lemon juice. Mix together until evenly combined.
- Sauté the apples. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is warm and the butter is melted, add in the apple mixture. Cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves and begins to simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the apples soften and release their juices, about 7 minutes.
- Strain and thicken the apple pie filling. Transfer the apples to a colander or fine mesh sieve over a medium bowl to catch all of the juice. Mix the apples and shake the colander to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Return the juices to the skillet, and simmer over medium-low heat until thickened and lightly caramelized, about 4 minutes.
- Toss to combine. Transfer the drained apples back to the medium-sized mixing bowl, and toss the apples with the reduced juice, vanilla extract, and spices. Set aside to cool.
Make the Cookies
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Roll out half the dough and cut into circles. Cut the chilled dough in half and place the second half back in the refrigerator until ready to use. Roll half of the dough out until about 1/4″ thick. Using a pastry cutter or a cup, cut circles in the dough.
- Brush with “egg” wash. In a small bowl, combine the almond milk and agave. Using a pastry brush, brush each round with the “egg” wash.
- Add pie filling. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the apple pie filling onto the center of each cookie.
- Roll out the remaining dough. Remove the remaining dough from the refrigerator and roll it out to about 1/4″ thick. Slice into strips to use as lattice tops.
- Decorate the tops of the cookies. Arrange the strips of dough on top of the cookie rounds in a lattice top, then press them together around the cookie to seal. Remove any excess lattice around each cookie with the round cookie cutter. Using a fork, crimp the edges around the cookie to ensure it is fully sealed. Brush with “egg” wash again.
- Bake. Sprinkle each apple pie cookie with sugar and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is lightly golden.
- Prepare the glaze. While the cookies bake, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and water until a smooth icing forms. Set aside.
- Serve. Let the apple pie cookies cool completely on a wire rack, then drizzle the cookies with the glaze as desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- The apples can be peeled, but it isn’t entirely necessary. If you prefer a really smooth, gooey apple filling, it is a good idea to peel them before sautéing. If you don’t mind a bit of extra texture in the filling, no need to peel!
- If you prefer to use a store-bought pie crust for simplicity, feel free! You may need to purchase and roll out two store-bought crusts.
- Storage Instructions: Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want your cookies to last longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: We have not tested freezing these cookies, but it may work. If you give it a try, let us know in the comments how it works for you!
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
As far as I can see this recipe didn’t include the temperature to bake the cookies at. Just the bake time.
Sorry about that, it’s 350 degrees F!