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Apple Snickerdoodles Recipe

Apple Snickerdoodles Recipe

5 from 11 reviews

These Apple Snickerdoodles combine the classic cinnamon sugar cookie with the warm, caramelized flavor of apples for a delightful twist on a beloved treat. Featuring browned butter and tender caramelized apples folded into the dough, these soft, chewy cookies are coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Caramelized Apples

  • 250 grams peeled and finely diced gala apples (about 45 small apples)
  • 50 grams (¼ cup) dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • Lemon juice from one small lemon

Cookies

  • 184 grams (13 tablespoons) unsalted butter (European-style preferred), browned to 150 grams (approximately 3/4 cup)
  • 100 grams (½ cup) dark brown sugar
  • 100 grams (½ cup) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk, room temperature
  • 250 grams (2 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 5 grams (2 teaspoons) cornstarch

Coating

  • 66 grams (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare Caramelized Apples: Peel and finely dice the gala apples. Toss them with dark brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice until well combined. Cook the mixture over low-medium heat on the stove for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are browned and caramelized. Set aside and chill in the refrigerator.
  2. Brown the Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a pot over medium heat. As it melts, the butter will crackle and sizzle; keep stirring gently. Once the rapid bubbling slows and the butter foams, continue stirring until golden milk solids form and the butter turns a rich golden brown. Remove from heat and transfer to another container to cool in the fridge for 10 minutes.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, ground cinnamon, sea salt, and cornstarch. Set this dry mixture aside.
  4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the cooled browned butter with dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla bean paste or extract until smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk, whisking until fully incorporated. Gently fold in the chilled caramelized apples until evenly distributed.
  5. Form the Dough: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold gently until just combined and a dough forms. Avoid overmixing. Cover the dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to firm up.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the coating.
  7. Shape and Coat Cookies: Using a cookie scoop (approximately 1.125 oz or 40 grams), portion the chilled dough and roll each ball generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the coated dough balls on the baking sheet spaced 2-3 inches apart.
  8. Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are set and golden brown while the tops remain puffy and slightly underbaked. This ensures a chewy texture as they will continue to set while cooling.
  9. Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.

Notes

  • For the browned butter, it’s best to use European-style butter due to its higher fat content for richer flavor.
  • Ensure that the eggs are at room temperature to achieve better emulsification in the dough.
  • Chilling the dough is essential for firmness and to develop flavors and texture.
  • The cookies may appear slightly underbaked when taken out; this is intentional to keep them soft and chewy.
  • Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple snickerdoodles, caramelized apples, cinnamon sugar cookies, browned butter cookies, fall cookies, soft chewy cookies