Maple Glazed Apple Pie Cookies
These Maple Glazed Apple Pie Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with apple pie flavors topped with a sweet maple glaze. Perfect for cozy fall treats!
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – the base for the cookie dough
- 1/2 cup rolled oats – adds chewiness and texture
- 1/4 cup brown sugar – provides rich sweetness and moisture
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon – classic apple pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg – adds warmth and depth
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened – gives richness and tenderness
- 1/4 cup maple syrup – natural sweetness and flavor in the dough
- 1/2 cup diced apples – fresh, crisp apple pieces for moisture and taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract – rounds out the flavor profile
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) – for a delightful crunch
- powdered sugar for dusting – adds a pretty and sweet finish
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Apples and Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Dice your apples into small, even pieces to ensure they cook evenly inside the cookies.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set this aside — this blend infuses the dough with all the classic apple pie flavors.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Maple Syrup
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with maple syrup until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will create a wonderfully rich, naturally sweet base for your cookies.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth. This step binds everything together and enhances the overall flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep your cookies tender.
Step 6: Fold in Apples and Nuts
- Fold in the diced apples and chopped walnuts or pecans if using. The apples add moisture and bursts of flavor while the nuts contribute texture and a toasty note.
Step 7: Scoop and Shape
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each mound slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers.
Step 8: Bake
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set but still soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies delightfully tender.
Step 9: Cool and Glaze
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Once fully cooled, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a pretty finishing touch.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cooling Rack
- Sifter or fine mesh strainer
Notes
- Experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith for tartness or Fuji for sweetness.
- For extra maple flavor, drizzle a thin maple glaze over cooled cookies by mixing maple syrup with powdered sugar.
- Use softened, not melted, butter to achieve the best cookie texture.
- Pat diced apples dry if very juicy to prevent soggy dough.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes to avoid excessive spreading during baking.