Imagine biting into a cookie that feels like the comforting embrace of a homemade apple pie, but with the irresistible texture of your favorite bakery treat. That’s the magic of this SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE—each bite bursts with tender spiced apples and melty caramel drizzles, all nestled in a pillow-soft cookie. It’s the best of both worlds, bringing cozy, nostalgic flavors right into your kitchen with a playful twist that everyone will love.

SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple but essential ingredients come together to create extraordinary cookies with the perfect balance of chewy texture and cinnamon-spiced apple goodness. Each ingredient plays a unique role in capturing the essence of classic apple pie while keeping things delightfully easy.

Unsalted Butter: Gives the cookies a rich, tender crumb and enhances that classic bakery-style chew.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create that subtle crisp edge.
Brown Sugar (packed): Adds moisture and deep caramel notes to the cookie base.
Eggs: Provide structure and extra chew for that ideal cookie texture.
Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, aromatic note that rounds out the apple and spices.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of soft, satisfying cookies that still hold their shape.
Baking Powder: Gives a gentle lift so the cookies stay soft and slightly puffy.
Cornstarch: The secret ingredient for making cookies super soft and tender.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: Infuses the dough with cozy warming spice in every bite.
Salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings all the flavors into focus.
Additional Granulated Sugar: Used for the cinnamon sugar coating for that delightful sparkle.
Ground Cinnamon: Gives the coating and the filling so much inviting warmth.
Apples (Honeycrisp recommended): Star of the show—juicy, sweet-tart, and bursting with classic pie flavor.
Apple Pie Filling Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the apples.
Apple Pie Filling Brown Sugar: Melts into the apples for irresistible gooeyness.
Apple Pie Filling Cinnamon: Layers in more spice for truly authentic apple pie vibes.
Apple Pie Filling Cornstarch: Thickens the filling so there’s the perfect amount in each bite.
Salted Caramel Sauce: Drizzled on top, this adds the final flourish of sticky-sweet decadence.

How to Make SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE

Step 1: Make the Apple Pie Filling

Start by peeling and dicing your apples into small pieces—these little gems will nestle perfectly inside your cookies. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Toss in your apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook the mixture gently, stirring often, until the apples turn tender and start to caramelize—about 5 minutes. Add the cornstarch and stir until everything thickens into a glossy, fragrant apple pie filling. Set aside to cool while you make the dough; this gooey apple mixture truly is what sets this SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE apart.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then pour in the vanilla extract for that subtle floral sweetness. In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, cornstarch, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined. You’ll end up with a dough that’s almost fluffy—it’s the backbone of that dreamy, chewy texture in every cookie.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Combine additional granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. This blend is simple but absolutely transformative—it gives your cookies a glistening, spiced exterior and a little extra crunch with each bite. Rolling the dough balls in this sweet mixture is almost therapeutic and makes your entire kitchen smell like autumn magic.

Step 4: Assemble the Cookies

Scoop generous portions of dough (about two tablespoons each), then gently flatten each ball with your palm. Spoon a bit of cooled apple pie filling into the center of each round—don’t overfill, or they’ll be tricky to seal! Carefully fold the dough edges up and over, pinching gently to enclose the apple surprise. Roll each filled dough ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture, making sure every side is coated for that irresistible finish found in our SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving room to spread. Bake for 12–14 minutes until the edges look set but the centers still appear soft—they’ll continue to bake on the sheet after you remove them from the oven. Drizzle the warm cookies generously with salted caramel sauce right before serving. The combination of gooey caramel, spiced apple, and chewy cookie is nothing short of glorious.

How to Serve SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE

Garnishes

For that bakery-quality flair, drizzle each cookie with salted caramel just before serving and sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top. If you want to add a playful touch, a dusting of powdered sugar creates a snowy effect that looks lovely on a dessert platter. Fresh apple slices or a few extra pinches of pumpkin pie spice make beautiful garnishes as well.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a dreamy dessert, or serve them alongside a mug of warm apple cider or chai latte. These pairing options highlight the autumn flavors in the cookies and make any gathering feel instantly cozier.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE into a playful cookie tower, drizzle with caramel between layers, and let friends pull them apart for an interactive treat. Or, serve cookies in a rustic basket lined with gingham napkins for an old-fashioned, picnic-style feel. For festive gatherings, arrange them on a tiered tray with colorful apple slices and cinnamon sticks scattered for an eye-catching centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay pillowy and moist for up to three days. The rich apple filling keeps the centers soft, so every bite is just as good as the first day. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before sealing them up to avoid condensation.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, shape and fill the dough balls, then freeze them raw. Just pop the frozen cookies straight onto a baking sheet and add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies can also be frozen—wrap them individually for grab-and-go treats whenever the apple pie craving strikes.

Reheating

To serve your cookies warm and extra gooey, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes, or microwave unwrapped cookies for 10 to 15 seconds. The flavors bloom and the caramel becomes melty again—perfect for recreating that fresh-from-the-oven sensation.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples offer a great balance of sweetness and tartness, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala apples work wonderfully too. Just choose an apple that keeps a bit of texture when baked for the best results.

What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?

No worries—make your own blend with a mix of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a whisper of cloves or allspice. It’ll bring all the cozy autumn spice notes you need for this SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE.

Can I make these gluten free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different, but you’ll still capture all the flavors and gooey apple magic.

Is it okay to skip the caramel topping?

Definitely—the cookies are still delicious on their own thanks to their gooey apple center and cinnamon sugar crust. The caramel just adds a little extra decadence, but they’re plenty flavorful without it.

How can I make the cookies extra soft and chewy?

Be careful not to overbake—the magic in this SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE is in taking them out when the centers still look slightly underdone. Let them finish setting up on the pan for the softest, chewiest texture imaginable.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a dessert that delivers both homey nostalgia and a fresh twist, this SOFT AND CHEWY APPLE PIE COOKIES RECIPE absolutely hits the mark. Every batch feels a little like magic fresh from your oven, so gather your ingredients and share the joy—your friends and family will thank you for it!