Apple Pie Cookies

🍎 Apple Pie Cookie Cups: The Cozy Dessert That’ll Make You Want to Hug Your Oven

If fall had a flavor, it would be these Apple Pie Cookie Cups. They’re buttery, chewy, filled with warm cinnamon apples, and drizzled with caramel like they just walked off a dessert runway. Basically, they’re what happens when oatmeal cookies and apple pie fall in love and have delicious little babies.

Whether you’re baking for a party, bribing your kids to do homework, or just need a treat that feels like a warm hug, these cookie cups are here to make your kitchen smell like heaven and your heart feel full.

I love apple desserts any time of the year but especially in the fall! My sister hates them but still sends me apple recipes all the time to try and make for her. She’s funny that way! I love love love these because I browned the butter before putting them in the cookie batter and I do not regret it one bit! Give these a try!

Apple Pie Cookies

🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need (a.k.a. Your Sweet Squad)

For the Cookie Cups:
• 1 cup salted butter, softened (plus more for cooking apples)
• 1¼ cup brown sugar (divided)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar (divided)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1¾ cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp kosher salt

For the Apple Filling:
• 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp butter
• Remaining ¼ cup brown sugar
• Remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar

Optional:
• Caramel sauce for drizzling (store-bought or homemade)

Apple Pie Cookies

🔥 Directions: From Pantry to Pastry Perfection

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two muffin tins with cooking spray.
2. Brown the butter. Cook butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns caramel-colored and smells nutty. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
3. Make the cookie dough. Beat browned butter with 1 cup brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mix until combined.
4. Add dry ingredients. Stir in flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until just combined.
5. Scoop into muffin tins. Use a medium cookie scoop and press to flatten.
6. Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden brown and set.
7. Shape the cups. While warm, press the bottom of a small cup (baby bottle cap works great!) into each cookie to form a cup. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
8. Make the apple filling. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and cook until softened. Stir in remaining sugars, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Cook until caramelized and thick.
9. Fill the cups. Spoon warm apple filling into cookie cups. Drizzle with caramel and serve warm or at room temp.

🍽️ Calorie Count & Nutritional Facts (Per Cookie Cup, Approx. 24 Cups)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~210
Protein	2g
Fat	10g
Saturated Fat	6g
Carbohydrates	28g
Sugar	20g
Fiber	2g
Sodium	120mg

Note: These are estimates. Actual values may vary depending on your brands and portion sizes.

🧠 Cooking Tips from Your Cookie Coach

Let’s make these cookie cups the best they can be:

Brown that butter. It adds a rich, nutty flavor that takes these cookies from good to gourmet.
Use rolled oats, not quick oats. They give the cups structure and chew.
Chill the browned butter. It helps the dough hold its shape and keeps the cookies from spreading too much.
Don’t overmix. Stir just until combined to keep the texture tender.
Use a baby bottle cap or shot glass to press the cups—just spray it with cooking spray first

🌀 Recipe Variations to Keep Things Fresh

These cookie cups are a blank canvas for your sweet creativity. Try these twists:
🍏 Apple-Cranberry Cups
Add ½ cup dried cranberries to the apple filling for a tart twist.
🥜 Apple-Peanut Butter Cups
Add a swirl of peanut butter to the cookie dough before baking. It’s like a PB&J meets apple pie.
🍫 Chocolate Apple Cups
Mix mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough and drizzle with chocolate instead of caramel.
🥥 Apple Coconut Cups
Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the cookie dough for a tropical vibe.
🧂 Salted Caramel Apple Cups
Top with a pinch of flaky sea salt after drizzling with caramel. Fancy and fabulous

👶 Kid Tips: How to Win Over Tiny Tastebuds

These cookie cups are naturally kid-approved, but here’s how to make them even more irresistible:

Let kids help press the cups. It’s fun and gives them ownership.
Make mini versions. Use mini muffin tins for bite-sized treats.
Add sprinkles. Let kids decorate the tops with sprinkles or colored sugar.
Serve with ice cream. A scoop of vanilla makes these cups a full-blown dessert party.

Bonus: They’re portable, not messy, and perfect for lunchboxes or after-school snacks.

🛒 Grocery Hacks: Save Time, Save Money

Let’s make this sweet treat budget-friendly and stress-free:

Buy apples in bulk. Granny Smiths are usually cheapest and hold up best in baking.
Use store-brand butter and sugars. They work just as well and save you cash.
Oats are pantry MVPs. Buy in bulk and use for granola, smoothies, and baking.
Vanilla extract = splurge alert. Try imitation vanilla for a budget swap.
Caramel sauce hack: Melt soft caramels with a splash of milk for instant drizzle.

🧂 Why These Cookie Cups Are a Cozy Win

Let’s be real: these cookie cups are chewy, buttery, and filled with warm apple goodness. They’re:

Perfect for fall, but delicious year-round
Easy to make with pantry staples
Great for parties, potlucks, or just treating yourself
Customizable for any occasion

And they come together in under an hour, which means you can whip up a batch faster than your toddler can scatter LEGOs across the living room.

Bake It, Brag It, Love It

So go ahead—make these cookie cups, snap a pic, and post it with a caption like “Apple pie, but make it cute.” You earned it. And when your friends ask for the recipe? Just smile and say, “It’s a LouLouGirls classic.”
This recipe is more than just apples and oats—it’s a little slice of joy. So light a candle, pour yourself a sparkling cider (or a glass of wine, no judgment), and enjoy every chewy bite.
If you try this recipe, I want to hear all about it! Did you add cranberries? Make it mini? Serve it with whipped cream or ice cream? Spill the sweet tea. 💬
Until next time, keep it cozy and keep it confident.