These apple pie cookies are a cinnamon thumbprint cookie full of apple pie filling! These cookies are perfect if you want apple pie, but in a cookie form! The cookies are cinnamon cookies that are coated in cinnamon that are filled with apple pie filling with a drizzle of salted caramel.

One apple pie cookie split in half.

hese apple pie cookies are the perfect cookies if you don’t want to make a whole apple pie! They are thumbprint style that are full of homemade apple pie filling and topped with salted caramel.
I have tips and tricks and process photos to easily help you make this recipe! If you love apple desserts, you have to try my puff pastry apple tart.

One cookie split in half.

Tips for making the cookies

Here are my tips, so yours turns out like this recipe! See my post on making homemade salted caramel for more tips.

  • Tip 1: Make sure the flour is spooned and leveled in the measuring cup. If you stick the cup into the flour, it can cause a cookie that doesn’t spread.
  • Tip 2: As soon as the cookie is done baking, use a a large biscuit cutter, to scoot the cookie into a perfect circle. Let it sit for 2 minutes before pressing a 1/4 cup in the middle of the cookie to create the hole.
  • Tip 3: The apple pie filling and caramel can be made ahead of time. Store in the fridge 1-3 days before.
Apple pie filling in a bowl.
The apple pie filling should be room temperature before adding to the cookies.
Caramel in a bowl.
To easily drizzle the caramel, heat for 30 seconds so it is pourable if too firm.
Wet ingredients in a bowl.
Mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl.
Cookie dough in a bowl.
Let the cookie dough sit for 10 minutes before scooping.
Cookie dough ball on a cookie sheet.
Scoop the cookie dough, 6 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet.
Baked cookies on a wire rack.
Press 1/4 cup into the hot cookies to create the hole.
Top view of cookies.

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For more apple recipes, try my apple cinnamon rolls and caramel apple cake.

Top view of apple pie cookies.

Make sure to leave a star review if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

Recipe Video

One apple pie cookie split in half.
5 from 46 reviews

Apple Pie Cookies

Stephanie Rutherford
These apple pie cookies are a large thumbprint style of cookie. They are a cinnamon cookie with apple pie filling topped with a drizzle on salted caramel. These are perfect to make if you don't want to make a whole pie!
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Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Servings: 18 large cookies

Ingredients
 
 

Apple Pie Filling

  • 4 Apple, gala, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
  • 2 TBSP Unsalted butter
  • 1 TBSP Cornstarch
  • 1 TBSP Water
  • 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon

Salted Caramel

  • 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • 2 TBSP Unsalted butter, room temperature and cubed
  • 1/4 cup Heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract

Cinnamon Cookies

  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Cornstarch
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
  • 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 2 Large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 TBSP Unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

Apple Pie Filling

  • Peel and slice the apples. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the apple slices, brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Heat until it starts to bubble. Then, cook and stir for about 5-10 minutes. The mixture will thicken and the apples will be soft. Make sure to taste the apple to make sure they are soft enough.
    4 Apple, 1/2 cup Brown sugar, 2 TBSP Unsalted butter, 1 TBSP Cornstarch, 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1 TBSP Water

Salted Caramel

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the sugar until all the sugar crystals are melted. Let it turn amber in color. This takes less than 30 seconds. Take off the heat immediately.
    1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • Add in half of the cubed butter and whisk until melted. Add in the rest of the butter and stir. This will bubble up a lot and be very hot. Add half of the heavy cream and whisk. Add the rest of the heavy cream.
    2 TBSP Unsalted butter, 1/4 cup Heavy cream
  • Add in the vanilla and salt. Let the salted caramel and apple pie filling cool completely.
    1/2 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract

Cinnamon Cookies

  • In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
    3 cups All-purpose flour, 1 tsp Baking powder, 1 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1 tsp Cornstarch, 1 tsp Salt
  • In a large bowl, mix the melted butter (it needs to be cooled to room temperature before using), brown sugar, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Whisk until combined and smooth.
    1 cup Unsalted butter, 1 cup Brown sugar, 1/2 cup White granulated sugar, 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 2 Large eggs
  • Add in the dry ingredients and use a rubber spatula to mix until just combined.
  • Let the cookie dough rest for 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • Use a large cookie scoop and scoop 6 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes. Press 1/4 cup measuring cup into the hot cookies to create the hole. Let it sit on the hot pan for 5 minutes.
  • Cool the cookies completely on a cooling rack.
  • Brush the cookies with melted butter using a pastry brush (do 1 cookie at a time), roll the cookie in cinnamon sugar. Only worry about the outside of the cookie and not inside the hole.
    2 TBSP Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup White granulated sugar, 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • Top each hole with apple pie filling. Then, drizzle salted caramel on top.

Notes

Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the cookies and cause them not to spread
High altitude baking- Add an extra 2 TBSP of flour.
Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.
Calories: 370kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 226mg, Potassium: 100mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 503IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 1mg
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