Apple Cookie Recipe

Apple Cookie Recipe? Every season has its fruit, but nothing says fall quite like apples. Growing up in Arizona, we didn’t have big apple orchards down the street, but the arrival of cooler air always meant my mom’s kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon and baked apples. She’d tuck chopped apples into breads, pies, and even oatmeal, and the house just felt warmer for it.

Now, as a mom myself, I’ve carried on that same cozy tradition. One of my favorite ways is through this apple cookie recipe soft, chewy, and brimming with cinnamon. There’s something magical about the combination of tart apple chunks and buttery oatmeal dough. The smell alone makes my teenagers wander into the kitchen, asking when they’ll be ready. For me, it has the same nostalgic comfort as a tray of Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites warm, spiced, and perfect for fall.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cookie Recipe

Cookies are universal comfort food, but when apples join the mix, they turn into something unforgettable. This apple cookie recipe isn’t just a sweet treat; it’s a little piece of fall you can hold in your hand.

Perfect for Autumn Baking

The mix of cinnamon, brown sugar, and tart Granny Smith apples makes these cookies feel tailor-made for crisp mornings and golden afternoons. Bake a batch, and suddenly your kitchen smells like a cozy fall market.

Soft, Chewy, and Comforting

What sets this apple cookie recipe apart is texture. The edges bake up slightly crisp, the center stays soft and cake-like, and each bite has tiny bursts of apple. They’re hearty enough to enjoy with tea or apple cider, but still sweet enough to satisfy any cookie craving.

Ingredients to Make This Apple Cookie Recipe

The charm of this apple cookie recipe is how everyday ingredients come together to create something unforgettable. Each one has a role, and together they build cookies that are soft, spiced, and bursting with apple flavor.

Key Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The base that gives structure without making the cookies too dense.
• Rolled Old-Fashioned Oats: Don’t swap these out they provide the chewy bite and hearty texture that makes the cookies so satisfying.
• Cinnamon: The star spice of fall. It brings warmth that pairs perfectly with apples.
• Baking Soda & Salt: Small but mighty, these balance flavor and lift the dough.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened butter makes the cookies rich and tender.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness with a hint of molasses for depth.
• Egg & Vanilla Extract: Classic binding and flavor boosters.
• Granny Smith Apples: Tart and crisp, they hold their shape without making the cookies soggy.
• Lemon Juice: A splash to brighten flavors and keep apples from browning.

Optional add-ins like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of nutmeg can take these cookies in a whole new direction. It’s that same spirit of creativity that makes recipes like the Crumbl Cookie Recipe so fun to experiment with the foundation is solid, but the details are yours to play with.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need a bakery’s worth of gadgets to make these cookies. Here’s what you’ll want:

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Medium cookie scoop (for even portions)
• Baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone mats
• Wire cooling rack

These tools make the process easier, but the real magic comes from the simple act of mixing and baking. It’s the same joy that makes classics like Chewy Brownies so irresistible straightforward ingredients, baked with love.

How to Make Apple Cookie Recipe

Making this apple cookie recipe is as cozy as it gets. The process feels familiar if you’ve ever baked oatmeal cookies, but the fresh apples add a twist that makes it extra special.

Start by mixing the dry ingredients — flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt — so the flavor is even throughout. Then cream the butter and brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy, the way you’d start a batch of your favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake. That creamy base is what makes the cookies soft and tender.

Next comes the apple magic. Toss your finely chopped Granny Smith apples with lemon juice so they stay bright and tart. Fold them into the dough gently so the chunks don’t break down. Finally, scoop onto prepared baking sheets, flatten just a little, and let the oven work its magic. Within minutes, your kitchen fills with that cinnamon-apple aroma that feels like fall in every breath.

Tips for Best Texture

• Cut apples small: Tiny cubes mean tender bites in every cookie.
• Use rolled oats: Quick oats won’t give you the chewy structure.
• Don’t overbake: Pull them out when the edges are golden but the centers still look soft. They’ll set as they cool.
• Measure flour carefully: Too much flour makes cookies dense. Use the scoop-and-sweep method.

Ways to Serve Apple Cookie Recipe

These cookies are versatile, fitting right into cozy evenings or festive gatherings.

Perfect Fall Dessert

Serve them warm with a mug of apple cider or chai. The apple and cinnamon pairings make them a natural star at any fall table, much like a rustic Cowboy Cookie Crumbl that blends hearty flavors with nostalgia.

Everyday Treat

Tuck one into a lunchbox or enjoy with your afternoon coffee. They’re sweet but not overly rich, so they don’t weigh you down. For an extra indulgence, try sandwiching two cookies with cream cheese frosting it turns this humble apple cookie recipe into a bakery-style treat.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best parts about this apple cookie recipe is how easily you can make it your own. The base dough is sturdy enough to handle add-ins and swaps, so you can create a new twist every time you bake.

Apple Choices

Granny Smith apples are the go-to because of their tartness and firmness, but you can swap in Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for a slightly sweeter, crisper bite. Avoid soft apples like Red Delicious they’ll turn mushy in the oven. If you’re in the mood for something different, fold in pears instead of apples for a mellow, sweet flavor.

Add-Ins for Fun

Nuts add crunch (walnuts and pecans are classics). Raisins or dried cranberries bring chewy bursts of sweetness. Want to really elevate them? Drizzle with a quick glaze or dip half of each cookie in white chocolate. It’s the same creative spirit that makes desserts like Blueberry Compote shine simple fruit, big payoff.

The Old-Fashioned Apple Cookie Recipe:

Prep Time: 10 min
Total: 20 min
Servings: 24 Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 medium apple, chopped (1 cup)

Instructions:

Step 1: Heat oven to 375°. Grease cookie sheet with shortening. Beat brown sugar, butter and egg in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, nutmeg, salt and baking soda. Stir in apple.

Step 2: Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet.

Step 3: Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool. Store loosely covered.

Nutrition:

Calories 115, Calories from Fat 45,
Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 10mg
Sodium 80mg
Total Carbohydrate 16g, Dietary Fiber 0g
Protein 1g

Pro Tips for Apple Cookie Recipe

Consistency in Baking

Use a cookie scoop so each dough ball is the same size. Even cookies bake evenly, which helps avoid overdone edges and raw centers.

Make Ahead Hacks

Mix and scoop the dough, then freeze it on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen just add a couple minutes to the baking time. This trick means you can have warm cookies anytime, just like you’d pull a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie out of the oven when company drops by.

Storage for Apple Cookie Recipe

Room Temperature

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to three days. Slip in a slice of bread to help maintain moisture.

Freezer Friendly

For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in layers separated by parchment. They’ll keep for up to two months. A quick zap in the microwave brings them right back to life.

These tricks make it easy to always have a cozy treat ready, whether for family nights or surprise guests.

Megan

Apple Cookie Recipe

Soft, chewy, and packed with cinnamon-spiced apple chunks, this Apple Cookie Recipe is fall in cookie form. These cozy cookies come together with simple pantry staples and tart Granny Smith apples for a comforting autumn treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 18 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 135

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups Granny Smith apples, finely chopped
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Equipment

• mixing bowls
• whisk
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Medium cookie scoop
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone mats
• wire cooling rack

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
5. Toss the chopped apples with lemon juice, then gently fold them into the dough.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix.
7. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion dough onto prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are still soft.
9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 70mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.8mg

Notes

For added texture and flavor, fold in chopped walnuts or pecans. You can also swap in Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples for a sweeter twist. Drizzle with white chocolate or sandwich two cookies with cream cheese frosting for a bakery-style upgrade.
In “Variations and Substitutions” Section you can find The Old-Fashioned Apple Cookie Recipe from granny to your.

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Conclusion: Cozy Bites of Apple Cookie Recipe

At the end of the day, this apple cookie recipe is about more than just cookies. It’s about the feeling of fall settling into your home cinnamon in the air, apples caramelizing in the oven, and a tray of golden cookies cooling on the counter while everyone hovers nearby.

What I love most is how approachable it is. You don’t need fancy ingredients or professional tools. Just apples, oats, and a few pantry staples are enough to make a batch that tastes like comfort. And just like a bubbling Peach Cobbler, these cookies bring people together in the sweetest way.

So whether you bake them for a school treat, a cozy weekend, or a holiday table, these cookies will always feel right. And when you want to switch things up, pair them with a classic like Chewy Brownies for the ultimate dessert spread.

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