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An easy apple cookie recipe. Tart apple combined with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg creates the perfect seasonal cookie. Tastes just like Fall!

Three apple cookies stacked on a cutting board with a cookie cooling rack in the background with cinnamon sticks and an apple.

When the season begins to change and Fall arrives you will most likely find me in the kitchen baking, and one of the first recipes I make are my delicious apple cookies. I love the fall flavors this time of year, and the apple cinnamon flavor of these delicious soft cookies will not disappoint. 

Growing up and living in New England one of my favorite family traditions is apple picking. At the beginning of the season my family visits our favorite apple orchard and always comes home with a huge bag of apples. We bake everything from pies, breads, muffins, apple crisp and cookies and each year I like to experiment with different recipes. This Fall cookie combines bits of soft apples with warm spices and sugar to create the perfect seasonal cookie. This will become your new favorite cookie for the fall season! 

This is the perfect cookie to use for any type of apple – either tart apples or sweet apples depending on your personal taste. I also love this recipe as a base for fall cookies. I have made these with the addition of apple pie spice, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and old-fashioned oats. 

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  • Sugar – I use brown sugar in this recipe, but in a pinch white sugar would work as well
  • Unsalted Butter – Using unsalted butter in baking helps you control the amount of salt that goes into your recipe
  • Pure Vanilla Extract – if using imitation vanilla extract I like to add in a little more to make up for the flavor 
  • Nutmeg, Ground Cinnamon – the perfect combination of fall spices
  • Salt – I typically use kosher salt, but sea salt also works great in baking
  • Baking Soda – used to increase the volume and create a lighter texture in baked goods 
  • Fresh Apples – my favorite baking apples are honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples and pink lady

Full ingredient list and measurements can be found below in the recipe card.

showing the process of making apple cookies with 6 photos a mixing bowls from apple cookie ingredients to scooping cookie dough.

How To Make Apple Cookies

Preheat oven to 375º F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer, on low speed cream together brown sugar, softened butter, egg and vanilla until fluffy. In a separate medium bowl whisk together flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. If using a stand mixer, with your paddle attachment mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.

Fold in chopped apple pieces and scoop or roll cookie dough balls and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until golden brown for the perfect soft cookies. Make sure to cool on a wire rack and enjoy! Store any extra cookies in an airtight container for up to a week – if they last that long!

Tips for making Apple Cookies

  • Use a tart apple. This is a sweet cookie so if the apple is too sweet theres not enough contrast in flavor.
  • Cut apples very small. This will help them become tender during baking.
  • Use a cookie scoop for even cookies.
What are the best apples for cookies?

I like to use honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples or pink lady. A nice tart yet sweet apple is great for these cookies.

Are these cookies soft or hard?

These are a soft cookie almost cake or muffin like texture. The brown sugar in this recipe helps make these a soft cookie.

Yield: 24 Cookies

Apple Cookies

Apple cookies are stacked 3 high on a wooden board, while in the background apple cookies cool on a baking rack.

Easy apple cookie recipe. Tart apple combined with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg creates the perfect seasonal cookie. Tastes just like Fall!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 1/2 Cup Flour
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Cup Apple, Chopped (1 medium apple)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375º F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together brown sugar, butter, egg and vanilla until fluffy. I like to use a stand mixer or electric mixer.
  3. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.
  4. Fold in chopped apples.
  5. I like to use a cookie scoop or roll dough into balls on a greased or lined cookie sheet.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
  7. Cool on a baking rack and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 293Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 228mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 3g

Nutrition values are estimates only.

apple cookies cooling on a cookie rack with a stack of cookies on a cutting board.

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About Michelle Beaton

Welcome to Weekend Craft. Life is busy so I am all about getting projects done on the weekend, whether it be crafts, DIY, home decor, or crafting with your Cricut.

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2 Comments

  1. These cookies are amazing. I did a caramel glaze drizzle which kicked it up a notch, now calling them “Caramel Apple Cookies!”