Description
These Apple Pie Snickerdoodle Cookies combine the soft, cinnamon-spiced goodness of classic snickerdoodles with a homemade apple pie filling and rich brown sugar caramel sauce, delivering a nostalgic dessert that tastes like fall in every bite.
Ingredients
Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter (170g)
- 1/3 cup white sugar (67g)
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar (133g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (290g)
- 1 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (67g) (for topping)
- 2 tsp cinnamon (for topping)
Apple Pie Filling
- 4 Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (200g)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (85g)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (60g)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Make Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, whisk together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar for about 3 minutes until the mixture is creamy and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla bean paste and whisk again until well incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture in two to three additions, gently folding with a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Scoop and Chill Cookie Dough: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out about 10 to 12 large cookie dough balls. Place them on a tray, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour while preparing fillings and sauce.
- Prepare Apple Pie Filling: While the dough chills, combine the chopped apples, lemon juice, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a nonstick pan. Cook over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes until the apples are tender but still slightly crisp.
- Make Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce: In a separate nonstick saucepan, combine dark brown sugar, unsalted butter, and heavy cream. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until a smooth, dark golden caramel sauce forms. Stir in salt and remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: In the last 20 minutes of chilling the dough, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Topping for Cookies: In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon powder to make the sugar topping.
- Coat and Arrange Dough Balls: Remove chilled cookie dough balls from the fridge. Gently shape each with your palms into smooth balls, then generously coat each ball in the cinnamon sugar topping. Place them on the prepared baking sheets with at least 3 inches of space between each.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until they are slightly soft to the touch in the center. Remove from oven and immediately press a cookie scoop gently into the center of each cookie to create an indentation. Allow the cookies to cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Assemble Cookies: Once cooled, top each cookie generously with the prepared apple pie filling.
- Finish with Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle the brown sugar caramel sauce over the apple-topped cookies. Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect marriage of snickerdoodle, apple pie, and caramel flavors.
Notes
- Chilling the cookie dough is essential for better shape, texture, and flavor development.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice contrast to the sweet caramel and cinnamon sugar.
- Ensure not to overbake to keep the cookies soft and chewy in the center.
- The caramel sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator; reheat gently before using.
- For easier apple filling prep, peel and chop apples uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
