Super easy and so delicious, apple pie cookies are one of my favorite fall cookies. With all the flavor of a homemade apple pie but none of the work, these terrific cookies are simple to make and delicious to eat!

Apple Pie Cookies

I love cookies, and I love apple pie. So, why not make apple pie cookies?

Apple pie cookies are thumbprint cookies with a yummy apple pie filling.

With plenty of cinnamon and tender apples, these adorable apple cookies are perfect for parties, potlucks, cookie swaps, bake sales, and whenever you need a bite of something sweet and tasty.

This is a delicious cookies recipe, and by using a can of apple pie filling, most of the hard work is already done for you.

I love canned apple pie filling – just open the can and fill the cookies. It’s that easy!

This is one of my favorite recipes to make with kids. Their thumbprints are just the right size for the cookies, and they can help you roll the cookie dough balls or even fill the cookies.

Why You’ll Love Apple Pie Cookies

Tastes Like a Mini Apple Pie: All the delicious flavors of a traditional apple pie packed into a soft, bite-sized cookie.
Easy to Make: No need to roll out your own pie crust—just mix, scoop, and bake!
Perfect Fall Treat: These cookies are great for crisp autumn days, but honestly, they’re good all year round!
Great for Sharing: Take them to bake sales, holiday parties, or just surprise your family with a sweet treat.
Tastes Even Better with Caramel: Drizzle with salted caramel sauce for a little extra sweetness!
No Fork Needed: Unlike classic apple pie, you can just grab one and go.

When you’re craving a taste of fall flavors or are hungry for all the goodness of apple pie, you must try these apple pie cookies!

Ingredients for Apple Pie Cookies

All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the cookie dough, giving it structure. Make sure to measure it correctly for the best results.
Salted Butter (Softened): Adds a rich, buttery flavor to the soft dough. Using room temperature butter helps everything mix smoothly.
Margarine (Softened): Works with the butter to make the cookie dough extra soft and tender. If you prefer, you can swap it for vegan butter.
Powdered Sugar: Makes the cookies sweet and gives them a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Unlike granulated sugar, it blends smoothly into the wet mixture.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract adds warmth and enhances the cinnamon flavors of the cookies.
Can of Apple Pie Filling: This sweet apple pie filling goes in the center of each cookie. If you want to get fancy, you can chop it into small pieces or use homemade apple pie filling.
Cinnamon for Topping: A sprinkle of cinnamon gives these delicious apple pie cookies a classic cinnamon sugar flavor.

How to Make Apple Pie Cookies

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick to the baking sheet.
Cream the Butter and Margarine: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to blend the room temperature butter and margarine until it’s fluffy. Lower the speed and mix in the vanilla extract for about 30 seconds.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and any other dry ingredients.
Make the Dough: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix!
Form the Cookies: Use a small cookie scoop to portion out cookie dough balls. Roll them between your hands and place them on the lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
Create the Center: Use your thumb or the back of a tablespoon to gently press into the center of each cookie, making a small well for the apple pie filling.
Bake: Pop the cookies into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, until the edges are puffed and the bottoms turn golden brown.
Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
Add the Apple Filling: Spoon some delicious apple pie filling into the center of each cookie. If using homemade apple pie filling, chop the fresh apples into small pieces first.
Sprinkle with Cinnamon: A little cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top brings out the warm cinnamon flavors.

Recipe Tips

Don’t overmix the cookie dough! Mix as much as needed to combine the ingredients, and scrape down the bowl a time or two.
For the best results, bake these on a lined baking sheet (use parchment paper to prevent sticking).
The cookies will spread a bit, so don’t overcrowd your baking sheet. Bake the cookies in batches if you need to, but cool the baking sheet down before adding more cookie balls to it.
If the apple chunks from the can are large, cut them up a bit to fit into the indentation in the cookie.

More Apple Recipes

Ways to Serve Apple Pie Cookies

Here are some of my favorite places to serve my apple pie cookies:

Family gatherings
School events (these cookies are nut-free!)
Bake sales
Thanksgiving or fall parties
Christmas cookie swaps
Potlucks, BBQs, and more!

How to Store Apple Pie Cookies

To keep your delicious apple pie cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week.

For best results, let them sit out for a few minutes before eating so they’re soft again. For even longer storage, wrap each cookie in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to three months.

When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave.

What Are Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are cookies with an indentation that you can fill with all sorts of tasty ingredients. From fruit fillings to chocolate, thumbprint cookies are fun to make and tasty to eat.

You might want to try my Thumbprint Cherry Pie Cookies!

How Do You Know When Cookies Are Done?

It can be hard to tell when a cookie is fully cooked. With these apple thumbprint cookies, I look for slightly puffed sides and lightly golden brown bottoms.

You can also touch the top of the cookie lightly – if it springs back, it is cooked. If it is gooey or stays depressed if you push lightly, then they need a bit more time.

More Delicious Cookie Recipes

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