Apple cinnamon cookies have a brown butter cinnamon cookie base mixed with cinnamon apple chunks and a brown butter glaze. They're the cookie version of an apple fritter with no frying required.
These apple cinnamon cookies are the epitome of fall flavors. The warm brown butter and cinnamon spice are the perfect compliment to the tart apples. If you're a fan of apple desserts you are going to fall in love with these easy cookies!
For more fall apple recipes try my apple cinnamon oat muffins or my simple apple mug cake.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Tastes like an Apple Fritter: The easier and slightly healthier alternative to an apple fritter donut.
- No Mixer Required: These cookies are easy to whip up in any bowl with a spoon and or whisk.
- Brown Butter: I love the extra flavor and warmth that browned butter adds to the dough and the glaze.
Ingredient Notes
Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Butter: You will brown the butter and then use 1 tablespoon for the glaze and the rest for the cookie dough.
- Apples: I love using granny smith for a bit of tart to balance the sweetness.
- Sugars: You will use both brown sugar and granulated sugar in the dough, and powdered sugar for the glaze.
- Spices: A mix of cinnamon and nutmeg give these cookies the perfect warmth.
- Flaked Salt: I love how the salt helps balance the sweetness in these cookies. But as always, feel free to skip.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Start by browning the butter. You'll take 10 tablespoons of butter and melt in a medium saucepan, and then continue to cook past the point of boiling. You will do this over medium heat, past the point of the butter foaming, until it turns a nice golden brown, and has a nutty smell. Make sure you are stirring and watching it, because it will turn from perfectly brown to burnt fairly quickly. Once finished browning, pour into a cup or bowl and remove 1 tablespoon to be used for the glaze.
- Step 2: Peel and dice up your apple very small and mix together with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and ½ tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
- Step 3: Place all but 1 tablespoon of browned butter and both sugars in a large bowl and mix together for 1-2 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix again.
- Step 4: Mix in the salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour until combined.
- Step 5: Fold in your apples. If there is liquid in the bottom of the bowl do not add that in.
- Step 6: Scoop the dough into 3 tablespoon size balls and place 6-7 per baking sheet.
- Step 7: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. You're looking for a light golden brown outside rim.
- Step 8: Mix together the brown butter, powdered sugar and milk for the glaze. Brush the cookies with the glaze while they are still warm, and sprinkle with flaked salt.
Expert Baking Tips
- If you don't want to brown the butter you can use ½ cup of room temperature butter for the cookie dough and 1 tablespoon of melted butter for the glaze.
- ½ cup of chopped pecans would be a great addition to these cookies as well.
- I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.
FAQ
Why did my cookies spread too thin?
If your cookies spread very thin it's usually because you didn't add enough flour.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, these cookies are great on their own. And, you could also roll them in cinnamon and sugar like you do in these pumpkin snickerdoodles.
Can I make these gluten free?
Yes, just sub in a 1:1 ratio gluten free flour where all-purpose is called for.
Storing & Freezing
Apple cinnamon cookies will remain fresh if stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. The glaze and cookies will soften once covered.
You can freeze these cookies in an airtight container for 2-3 months.
Other Popular Recipes to Try
For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment if you make them and love them as much as I do!
Apple Cinnamon Cookies
Apple cinnamon cookies have a brown butter cinnamon cookie base mixed with cinnamon apple chunks and a brown butter glaze. They're the cookie version of an apple fritter with no frying required.
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons salted butter browned
- 1 medium apple peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon (0.5 tablespoon) cinnamon
- ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- 1 large egg room temp
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) nutmeg
- 1½ cups (210 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- flaked salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Start by browning the butter. You'll take 10 tablespoons of butter and melt in a medium saucepan, and then continue to cook past the point of boiling. You will do this over medium heat, past the point of the butter foaming, until it turns a nice golden brown, and has a nutty smell. Make sure you are stirring and watching it, because it will turn from perfectly brown to burnt fairly quickly. Once finished browning, pour into a cup or bowl and remove 1 tablespoon to be used for the glaze.
- Peel and dice up your apple very small and mix together with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and ½ tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
- Place all but 1 tablespoon of browned butter and both sugars in a large bowl and mix together for 1-2 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix again.
- Mix in the salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour until combined.
- Fold in your apples. If there is liquid in the bottom of the bowl do not add that in.
- Scoop the dough into 3 tablespoon size balls and place 6-7 per baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. You're looking for a light golden brown outside rim.
- Mix together the brown butter, powdered sugar and milk for the glaze. Brush the cookies with the glaze while they are still slightly warm, but not hot, and sprinkle with flaked salt.
Video
Notes
½ cup of chopped pecans would be a great addition to these cookies as well.
If you don't want to brown the butter you can use ½ cup of room temperature butter for the cookie dough and 1 tablespoon of melted butter for the glaze.
I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.
Nutrition
Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 226mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sandy
I’m a huge fan of anything apple, so very excited to make these. The brown butter and spices with the little apple chunks made these cookies so great! Glaze made them over the top!
Michelle D. Viray
Fall in a cookie!! 🍂 The brown butter, cinnamon and nutmeg with the apples are so cozy! So fun and easy to make and incredibly delicious!! 😋 ☺️
Erin m.
Delicious! The brown butter really shines and makes the cookies extra tasty!
Lori
Really tasty, and they were ready to eat within an hour. I added a couple tablespoons of flour for elevation and had to bake an additional 4 mins.
Nicki
I LOVE these cookies!! They are so soft, and I Iove all the warm flavors of the spices and brown butter. Plus the apples are the perfect fall touch
Stephanie Wright
Great cookie for fall!
Lynzee
These are everything I love about early fall. Apples, warmth, comfort, cinnamon and nutmeg. These are a feel good cookie. I will definitely be making these again!
LaReen
Flavorful and pretty for a special occasion!
Lonna S
These cookies were perfect for Oct in Minnesota. Family loved them! Sampling the dough was the best as well…loved the crunch of the raw apple! Will make these again for sure!
Ashlee Mayfield
These are soooo good! Made them for a party and almost didn’t bring them, because I didn’t want to share! Huge hit! Will definitely make again!
Kim
Another family favorite! I’ve never browned butter, but that extra step was definitely worth it. Will make again!
Adrienne
Perfectly delicious fall cookie! I was sure to chop my apples small and they were nice and tender. I love everything about this cookie!
Joan
Love the brown butter, apple and cinnamon combination. Great fall cookie!
Katie B
So good! Such a fantastic fall recipe. Used our apples fresh from the orchard 🍎. The browned butter makes the depth of flavor so amazing. It was worth the extra effort.
Ashley Poynor
Delicious fall cookie 🙂 we loved them!
Brooklyn Motes
These cookies warm were amazing! Definitely fall in a cookie. The brown butter elevates the cookie to 5 star!
Abigail G
I’ve been looking for a cookie recipe using apple and this one did not disappoint! Tastes like fall in a cookie, will be making again!
Giada
These cookies are pure autumn comfort in every bite — soft, spiced, and perfectly balanced between sweet and salty. Irresistibly cozy and absolutely delicious! 🍎✨
Kaitlyn
These were so good! We did some without apples for my 2 year old that doesn’t love the texture and those were great too!
Andrea
Anything with brown butter is a win in my book. The dough alone was absolutely delicious-so of course the baked cookie did not disappoint. Loved fall flavors in this one
Rachel
We loved these. The brown butter glaze was a great addition. I shared with multiple people and they all loved them. Will definitely be making again.
Shauna Phillips
I literally squealed when I saw this recipe because I knew I’d love them. Even better cold from the fridge