Apple Pie Snickerdoodles Recipe

Warm Apple Pie Snickerdoodles Recipe: Cozy Cookies You’ll Love

Crisp autumn days call for these delightful apple pie snickerdoodles that blend classic cookie charm with cozy seasonal flavors.

Warm cinnamon swirls through soft, pillowy dough kissed with sweet apple essence.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen drift through each tender bite, promising comfort and nostalgia.

Subtle spices dance across your palate, creating a perfect balance between traditional snickerdoodle and apple pie magic.

Crumbly edges give way to a soft center that melts deliciously on your tongue.

Baking these treats fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone near.

Whip up a batch and watch how quickly they vanish from the cookie plate.

Ingredients Needed to Bake Apple Pie Snickerdoodles

For the Dough Base:
  • Butter: A key ingredient that provides rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to their golden-brown color and crisp edges.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.
For the Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structural base of the cookies and provides the necessary texture.
  • Cream of Tartar: Adds a slight tanginess and helps create the classic snickerdoodle texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft, fluffy consistency.
  • Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the depth of other flavors.
For the Coating and Filling:
  • Ground Cinnamon, Granulated Sugar: Create a sweet and aromatic coating that gives the cookies their signature snickerdoodle flavor.
  • Apple Filling: Adds a fruity surprise in the center of each cookie, bringing a delightful apple pie twist.

How to Bake Perfectly Spiced Apple Pie Snickerdoodles

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create Creamy Butter Mixture

Grab your stand mixer and whip the softened butter with sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This is where the magic of texture begins.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and blend until everything looks smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the following ingredients:
  • Flour
  • Cream of tartar
  • Baking soda
  • Kosher salt

Mix gently until just combined. Don’t overmix or your cookies might become tough.

Step 5: Prepare Apple Filling Cookies

Scoop out dough balls and gently flatten them. Place a small dollop of apple filling in the center of each.

Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, forming perfect little balls.

Step 6: Roll in Cinnamon Sugar

Create a delightful coating by mixing:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Roll each cookie ball in this sweet mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 7: Bake Until Golden

Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each. Bake for 14-16 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Let them rest on the sheet for a few moments before transferring to a cooling rack.

Tips to Achieve Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles

  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor concentration.
  • Swap fresh apples with dried or canned apple pie filling for convenience and consistent moisture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
  • Check cookies early to prevent over-browning, as they continue cooking while cooling on the baking sheet.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness and prevent drying out.

Variations to Change Up Apple Pie Snickerdoodles

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Vegan Cookie Option: Swap butter for coconut oil and use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. Choose a plant-based apple filling to maintain the classic flavor profile.
  • Nutty Apple Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon-sugar coating for extra texture and a rich, nutty undertone. Sprinkle nuts on top before baking for added crunch.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener in the dough and coating. Replace some sugar with unsweetened applesauce to reduce overall sugar content while keeping moisture.

What to Serve with Warm Apple Pie Snickerdoodles

  • Pair with Warm Vanilla Latte: Craft a creamy vanilla latte that mirrors the cookie's cozy apple pie essence, with steamed milk and a vanilla bean shot enhancing the sweet cinnamon notes.
  • Complement with Caramel Drizzle Scoop: Serve alongside a scoop of caramel swirl ice cream, creating a decadent dessert experience that amplifies the cookie's rich apple and cinnamon flavors.
  • Match with Spiced Chai Tea: Brew a robust chai tea with cardamom and ginger undertones, providing a warming beverage that beautifully echoes the cookie's spiced profile and comforting texture.

How to Store Apple Pie Snickerdoodles to Keep Fresh

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Shape cookie balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. Freeze uncooked dough for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.

Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer bags. Store baked snickerdoodles for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in 300F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore soft, fresh-baked texture.

FAQs

  • What makes the apple pie filling unique?

The apple pie filling is homemade with fresh chopped apples, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar, creating a rich, authentic flavor inside the soft snickerdoodle cookie.

  • Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. This allows the flavors to develop and makes the dough easier to handle.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

A stand mixer is helpful but not mandatory. You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand with a wooden spoon. Parchment paper and a baking sheet are recommended for best results.

Why Apple Pie Snickerdoodles Are a Must-Try Treat

  • Savor the Flavor Fusion: Combines the beloved snickerdoodle cookie with classic apple pie, creating an irresistible dessert that blends two comfort food favorites.
  • Surprise Inside Delight: Features a hidden apple filling that bursts with sweet-tangy flavor when you bite into the soft, cinnamon-sugar coated cookie.
  • Beginner-Friendly Baking: Requires basic baking skills and simple ingredients, making it perfect for home bakers of all experience levels who want to impress family and friends.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Works wonderfully for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or casual weekend baking, guaranteeing smiles and requests for seconds from everyone who tries them.
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Apple Pie Snickerdoodles Recipe

Apple Pie Snickerdoodles Recipe


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4.8 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 46 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet meets spice in these apple pie snickerdoodles, where classic cinnamon cookies embrace warm autumn flavors. Crisp edges, tender centers, and a delightful apple pie filling make this treat perfect when you want a nostalgic dessert that celebrates seasonal comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Fruits:

  • 1 cup (243 grams) apple pie filling

Cookies and Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 3/4 cups (352 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients and Coating:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven to 375F (190C) and arrange parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.
  2. Use a stand mixer to whip softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a foundation for tender cookies.
  3. Introduce eggs individually into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition, then incorporate vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
  4. Gently fold in dry ingredients: flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and kosher salt, mixing until ingredients are just integrated without overworking the dough.
  5. Craft cookie bases by portioning dough into 2-tablespoon rounds, creating a small indentation to nestle apple filling at the center, then carefully encase the filling by forming a smooth ball.
  6. Create a cinnamon-sugar coating by combining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, then generously roll each dough ball to ensure complete coverage.
  7. Arrange cookies with ample spacing on prepared baking sheets, then bake for 14-16 minutes until edges turn golden brown and centers appear set.
  8. Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, ensuring a perfect texture and ease of handling.

Notes

  • Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the perfect creamy texture that helps cookies stay soft and chewy.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough cookies, stopping when ingredients are just combined for a tender crumb.
  • Apple Filling Hack: Use cold apple filling to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie’s shape during baking, creating a more defined stuffed center.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 213 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 93 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 27 mg
Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-table cooking, Seasonal recipe creation, Culinary storytelling, Food photography and styling​

Education

The Chef’s Academy (Indianapolis, IN)

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on sustainable cooking practices, regional American cuisine, and recipe development.​

Ethan didn’t just fall in love with food, he grew into it, surrounded by fields, farmers’ markets, and family meals that told a story.
After sharpening his skills at The Chef’s Academy, he took his passion straight into the farm-to-table movement, working side-by-side with local growers and seasonal flavors.
He believes every recipe should feel like a walk through a summer market: colorful, fresh, and full of possibility.
Outside the kitchen, Ethan’s idea of a perfect day is hiking mountain trails, digging into heirloom vegetables, and hosting casual dinners where seconds are always encouraged.

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