Apple Crisp Cookies are the best of both worlds: soft, chewy, and loaded with cozy fall spices just like your favorite crumble—but in the portable, snackable form of a cookie. Imagine crisp apples mingling with buttery oats, cinnamon, and just a hint of nutmeg, all crowned with irresistible golden edges. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a family gathering, or simply want to fill your kitchen with the scent of autumn, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With a handful of pantry staples and a couple of fresh, tart apples, you’ll have everything you need for these Apple Crisp Cookies. Each ingredient plays a crucial role: from texture to flavor, nothing here is accidental—and you’ll taste the love in every bite!
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure, ensuring your cookies hold their shape without becoming too dense.
- Old-fashioned oats: Add hearty chewiness and classic “crisp” texture, making these cookies irresistibly rustic.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies just enough lift for a soft, tender crumb.
- Cinnamon: Infuses your cookies with warm, comforting spice—don’t be tempted to skimp!
- Nutmeg: A little goes a long way to deepen the autumnal flavor; freshly grated is ideal.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors—never skip the salt in your cookies.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Creams with sugar for a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create lightly crisp edges.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds moistness and a subtle caramel flavor that echoes classic apple crisp.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for a cohesive cookie dough.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and brings all the warm notes together.
- Finely diced and peeled apple (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith): Fresh apple pieces give each bite bright tartness and juicy pockets.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): Provide nutty crunch for added texture and depth; totally up to your preference.
How to Make Apple Crisp Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—this ensures even baking by the time your dough is ready to go. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze. Trust me, with apple bits involved, you’ll be grateful for that parchment!
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This mix is the backbone of your Apple Crisp Cookies, packing every bite with just the right balance of texture and flavor. Breaking up the oats and flour together evenly disperses the spices, so you never get a dull cookie.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Grab a large bowl and use a mixer (or a sturdy spoon and some elbow grease) to cream the softened butter with both the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy—this will take a couple of minutes but is well worth it for cookies that bake up with gorgeous, chewy centers.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture looks smooth and cohesive. This step ensures your cookies hold together beautifully and have a rich, well-blended flavor.
Step 5: Combine and Build the Dough
Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet, mixing just until the flour vanishes and you have a thick, slightly sticky dough. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as everything is incorporated.
Step 6: Fold in Apples and Nuts
Gently fold in your diced apples—and chopped pecans or walnuts if you’re feeling nutty! This is where Apple Crisp Cookies truly come alive, with juicy apple bursts and that signature autumnal crunch.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers look set. The scent alone at this point will make everyone in your house come running!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This quick pause lets the cookies firm up, making them easier to handle without sacrificing that soft center.
How to Serve Apple Crisp Cookies
Garnishes
Take your Apple Crisp Cookies up a notch by drizzling cooled cookies with a homemade vanilla glaze or buttery caramel sauce. A sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar can also make them look bakery-worthy and add another pop of sweet flavor.
Side Dishes
Pair these cozy cookies with a steaming mug of apple cider, hot coffee, or vanilla chai for the ultimate autumn treat. If you’re feeling indulgent, a scoop of vanilla ice cream served alongside a couple of cookies transforms dessert into a mini apple crisp à la mode experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Apple Crisp Cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board for that farmhouse vibe, or wrap a few in parchment paper and tie with twine for edible party favors. For a fun twist, press the cookies into a shallow bowl and serve topped with cinnamon whipped cream for an impromptu cookie “crumble.”
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Apple Crisp Cookies fresh and chewy by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll hold up beautifully for up to 3 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
To freeze, arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container (with parchment between layers). These cookies freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
For that just-baked magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm a batch in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes. This brings back their soft texture and reinvigorates the juicy apple pieces.
FAQs
Can I make Apple Crisp Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free baking mix, and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The results will be just as soft and delicious.
Which apple varieties work best in Apple Crisp Cookies?
Firm, tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith hold up especially well during baking and balance the sweetness of the cookies. Feel free to experiment with your favorites, but steer clear of varieties that get too mushy.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it (covered) for up to 24 hours before baking. Chilled dough may need an extra minute or so in the oven, but the flavors will deepen beautifully.
Do I have to use nuts?
Not at all! The nuts are totally optional—if you or your loved ones have allergies or simply don’t care for them, leave them out. The cookies remain just as flavorful and satisfying.
Can I add other mix-ins to Apple Crisp Cookies?
Certainly! Try tossing in dried cranberries, raisins, or even a handful of white chocolate chips for a fun twist. Just keep total mix-ins to around one cup to maintain the right dough consistency.
Final Thoughts
You’re just a short baking session away from enjoying the unbeatable charm of homemade Apple Crisp Cookies. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned cookie lover, these gems blend the warmth of apple crisp with the comfort of cookies in each bite. I hope you give them a try and share the sweetness with your favorite people!
Print
Apple Crisp Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Apple Crisp Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional apple crisp, combining the flavors of a buttery oatmeal cookie with the sweet and tart taste of apples. Perfect for fall or anytime you’re craving a cozy, homemade treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup finely diced and peeled apple (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Fold in apples and nuts: Fold in the diced apples and nuts if using.
- Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Cool: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For added texture and sweetness, drizzle the cooled cookies with caramel sauce or a vanilla glaze.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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