Apple Cinnamon Cookies Recipe
Delight in these soft and flavorful Apple Cinnamon Cookies, bursting with tender chunks of sweet apples, a warm hint of cinnamon, and optional notes of walnuts and raisins. Perfectly spiced and lightly sweetened, these cookies offer a comforting treat that’s easy to bake and ideal for any occasion.
- Author: Nethan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup peeled and finely chopped apples (preferably Fuji or Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- Additional cinnamon sugar for sprinkling (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with both granulated and brown sugars using a mixer or whisk until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step ensures a tender, airy cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture, creating a smooth, cohesive batter.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Apples and Optional Add-ins: Gently fold in the finely chopped apples along with the optional walnuts and raisins, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Portion Cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Optional Topping: If desired, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar to add an extra layer of sweetness and spice.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers appear set but still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up for perfect texture.
Notes
- Choose sweet apple varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Chopping the apples finely helps distribute the moisture evenly and prevents soggy cookies.
- Optional walnuts and raisins add texture and flavor but can be omitted for a nut-free or simpler version.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the best creaming results.
- Do not overmix dough once the flour is added, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Keywords: apple cinnamon cookies, soft apple cookies, fall cookies, baked apple treats, cinnamon cookies with apples, easy apple cookies