The Best Apple Crisp Cookies Recipe: Cozy Sweet Treats

Baking these delightful apple crisp cookies will transport you to a cozy autumn afternoon with their warm, nostalgic flavors.

Crisp edges give way to soft, chewy centers packed with cinnamon-spiced apple chunks.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen drift through your home as the sweet aroma fills every corner.

Comfort and indulgence merge in these delectable treats that celebrate seasonal ingredients.

Texture plays a crucial role, blending the crunch of oats with tender apple pieces.

Subtle notes of brown sugar and vanilla create a harmonious balance that makes these cookies irresistible.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet extraordinary dessert that promises to become a cherished recipe.

Grab a glass of milk and savor each delightful bite of pure, homemade happiness.

Comforting Apple Crisp Cookies

• Create Delightful Mini Desserts: Transform traditional apple crisp into adorable bite-sized cookies that capture everyone's heart with minimal kitchen effort.
• Adapt to Any Gathering: Perfect for potlucks, family reunions, bake sales, or casual weekend treats where guests will love these portable and charming pastries.
• Master Versatile Technique: Learn a simple method of converting classic pie filling into compact, individual servings that showcase impressive baking skills without complicated steps.
• Customize with Ease: Swap apple varieties, adjust spice levels, or experiment with different toppings to make these cookies uniquely yours while maintaining the classic comfort food essence.

Ingredients for Apple Crisp Cookies

• Pie Crust Dough: A fundamental component that forms the delicate cookie base.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides structure to the recipe.

• Apples: Fresh fruit that adds natural sweetness and texture to the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances the apple's sweetness and helps create a syrupy filling.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents the apples from browning.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple filling and create a smooth consistency.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, classic flavor that complements the apple perfectly.

• Rolled Oats, Light Brown Sugar: Combine to create a classic crisp-like crumbly texture.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Cold Butter: Provides richness and helps create a crumbly topping.
• Canola Oil: Optional ingredient for creating a more cohesive topping.

Instructions to Bake Apple Crisp Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Get your baking space ready by setting out all necessary equipment.

Step 2: Set Up Muffin Tins

Generously spray two muffin tins with baking spray or thoroughly grease each well to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Shape Pie Crust Circles

Roll out pie crust dough and cut twenty-four 2-inch circles.

Gather any remaining scraps and re-roll to create additional circles.

Step 4: Line Muffin Wells

Gently press each pie crust circle into the prepared muffin tin wells, creating small cups.

Step 5: Cook Apple Filling

• Diced apples
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon juice
• Cornstarch

Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until apples soften and mixture thickens.

Step 6: Create Crisp Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Light brown sugar
• Kosher salt
• Rolled oats
• Cold butter

Use a hand mixer or pastry cutter to achieve a crumbly consistency.

Step 7: Fill Pie Crust Cups

Spoon 1 tablespoon of apple filling into each pie crust-lined muffin well.

Step 8: Add Crumble Topping

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of crumble topping over the apple filling in each well.

Step 9: Optional Finishing Touch

Lightly spray tops with canola oil for extra golden color (completely optional).

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until tops turn golden brown.

Step 11: Cool and Remove

Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely. Carefully extract cookies from muffin tins using a gentle technique.

Tips for Crunchy Apple Crisp Cookies

• Dice apples uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent mushy textures.
• Chill butter before mixing crumble topping for a perfectly flaky, crisp consistency.
• Use parchment paper strips as cookie lifters to easily remove delicate treats from muffin tin.
• Try different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for varied flavor profiles.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness, consuming within 2-3 days.

Variations on Apple Crisp Cookies

• Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Cookies: Replace pie crust and all-purpose flour with gluten-free pie crust mix and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Apple Crisp Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use vegan pie crust, and replace granulated sugar with maple syrup or coconut sugar.
• Spiced Pear Variation: Substitute apples with diced pears, add ground nutmeg and ginger to enhance the warm flavor profile of the dessert.
• Low-Sugar Apple Crisp Cookies: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining a delicious taste.

Pairing Suggestions for Apple Crisp Cookies

• Complement the warm, spiced apple crisp cookies with a creamy chai latte. The cinnamon and cardamom notes in the chai beautifully enhance the apple and cinnamon flavors in the cookies.
• Top these delightful cookies with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm, crispy cookie and the smooth, cold ice cream creates a perfect dessert experience.
• Enhance the cookies by drizzling rich caramel sauce over the top. The buttery caramel will highlight the apple's sweetness and add an extra layer of decadent flavor.

Storage Tips for Apple Crisp Cookies

• Store cooled apple crisp cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Arrange cookies on a baking sheet and warm for 5-7 minutes until slightly crisp. This method helps restore the original crunchiness of the crust.

FAQs

• Why use cornstarch in the apple filling?

Cornstarch helps thicken the apple mixture and prevents it from becoming watery, ensuring a perfect consistency for the cookie filling.

• Can I use different types of apples?

Yes, you can use varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Each apple brings a unique flavor and texture to the cookies.

• How do I ensure the pie crust is the right thickness?

Roll the dough to ¼ inch thick and use a 2-inch round cutter to create uniform circles that fit perfectly in the muffin wells.

• What if I don't have a hand mixer for the crumble topping?

You can use a pastry cutter or even your fingers to mix the ingredients until they form a crumbly texture, ensuring the butter is evenly distributed.

Apple Crisp Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Classic apple crisp cookies blend beloved fall flavors into a delightful handheld treat. Cinnamon-spiced dough and crumbly streusel topping deliver comforting warmth that connects you directly to cherished autumn memories.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 Granny Smith apples (peeled and finely diced)
• 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought, sufficient for half the original recipe)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 10 tbsps cold unsalted butter (diced)
• 2/3 cup rolled oats (avoid instant oats)
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing muffin tins with baking spray or grease. Two tins might be necessary for this recipe.
2. Roll out pie crust dough and cut twenty-four 2-inch diameter circles. Reroll dough scraps if needed to maximize circle count.
3. Carefully press each pie crust circle into the muffin tin wells, ensuring smooth placement.
4. Combine diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until apples soften and mixture thickens.
5. Create crisp topping by mixing flour, sugars, salt, oats, and cold butter using a hand mixer or pastry cutter until crumbly.
6. Spoon one tablespoon of apple filling into each pie crust-lined muffin well.
7. Top each filled well with two tablespoons of crumble mixture, ensuring even distribution.
8. Optional: Lightly spray tops with canola oil for enhanced golden appearance.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until tops turn golden brown.
10. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely in the tin.
11. Gently extract cookies from muffin tins, ensuring they remain intact.

Notes

• Ensure apple pieces are uniformly diced to guarantee consistent cooking and texture throughout the filling.
• Experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for varied flavor profiles and natural sweetness levels.
• Chill the butter before creating the crumble topping to achieve a perfectly crumbly and flaky texture that doesn’t become greasy.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 174
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 88 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg