30-Minute Apple Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Here is my favorite apple cookies recipe, with soft, chewy cookies packed with fresh apples and warm spices, and topped with a smooth, creamy cream cheese frosting.

These apple cookies are my family’s go-to treat when we want something cozy and sweet. I always make a double batch because they disappear so fast. There’s something perfect about cookies that taste like fall in every bite, right?

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

For these cookies, you’ll want to stick with tart apples that hold their shape well when baked. Granny Smith apples are your best bet since they’re naturally tart and won’t turn to mush in the oven. Honeycrisp and Braeburn are also good choices if you prefer a slightly sweeter flavor while still maintaining that nice texture. Make sure to dice your apples finely and peel them first – the smaller pieces will distribute more evenly throughout the cookie dough and won’t create pockets of moisture that could make your cookies soggy.

Options for Substitutions

These apple cookies are pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps, so here are some options if you need to make changes:

• Butter: You can substitute with margarine or vegetable shortening in equal amounts. For a healthier option, try using ¾ cup of unsweetened applesauce, though your cookies will be a bit more cake-like.
• Brown sugar: If you’re out of brown sugar, mix 1 tablespoon of molasses with ½ cup of granulated sugar. You can also use all granulated sugar, but you’ll lose some of that rich, caramel-like flavor.
• Tart apples: Granny Smith apples work best, but Honeycrisp or Braeburn are good alternatives. Make sure to dice them small and pat dry with paper towels to prevent soggy cookies.
• All-purpose flour: You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed, though the texture might be slightly different. Whole wheat flour works too – just use about ¼ cup less since it absorbs more liquid.
• Eggs: For each egg, you can substitute with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water (let it sit for 5 minutes first).
• Cinnamon: Feel free to experiment with apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or add a pinch of nutmeg and allspice for extra warmth.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making apple cookies is not removing excess moisture from your diced apples, which can make your cookies spread too much and turn out flat – pat the apple pieces dry with paper towels after dicing them, and consider tossing them with a tablespoon of flour to absorb any remaining moisture.

Another common error is overmixing the dough once you add the flour, which leads to tough cookies instead of the soft, cake-like texture you want – mix just until the ingredients come together.

Don’t skip chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking, as this helps prevent excessive spreading and gives you thicker, more uniform cookies.

Finally, make sure your cookies are completely cool before adding the cream cheese frosting, or it will melt right off and create a sticky mess instead of the smooth, creamy topping you’re after.

What to Serve With Apple Cookies?

These soft apple cookies with cream cheese frosting are perfect on their own, but they really shine when paired with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea. The warm spices in the cookies complement the cozy flavors of fall drinks beautifully. I love serving them alongside a glass of cold milk for dunking, especially when the cookies are still slightly warm from the oven. For a fun dessert spread, try arranging them on a platter with other autumn treats like pumpkin bread or cinnamon rolls – the cream cheese frosting makes them feel special enough for any gathering.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These apple cookies with cream cheese frosting need to be stored in the refrigerator because of the frosting. Layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer and they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. The cookies actually get even more flavorful after a day or two as the apple pieces soften slightly.

Freeze: You can freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag. I like to make a big batch of just the cookies and freeze them, then thaw and frost them when I’m ready to serve. The frosted cookies don’t freeze as well since cream cheese frosting can get a bit watery when thawed.

Serve: Let refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving so the frosting softens up nicely. If you’re serving frozen unfrosted cookies, just thaw them completely at room temperature and add fresh frosting. They taste just like you made them that day!

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 4000-4300
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 175-200 g
• Carbohydrates: 600-650 g

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup peeled, finely diced tart apple

For the frosting:

• The best cream cheese frosting

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

• 1 cup peeled, finely diced tart apple

Peel and finely dice 1 cup of tart apple and set aside.

Dicing the apple finely ensures it disperses evenly throughout the cookie dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

• 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the softened salted sweet cream butter, white sugar, and packed light brown sugar.

Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cookie.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture from Step 2.

Mix until well combined and smooth.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients (First Half)

• 2 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Mix in the ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture.

Then, add 1 3/4 cups of the all-purpose flour and blend until just combined.

This ensures even distribution of leavening and spice.

Step 5: Add Apples and Remaining Flour

• 1 cup peeled, finely diced tart apple (from Step 1)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Gently fold in the finely diced tart apple from Step 1 with a spoon.

Then add the remaining 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour and mix until the dough is fully combined and no streaks of flour remain.

I like to use a wooden spoon here, as it helps keep the apples from breaking apart.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet, spacing them evenly.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Frost and Finish the Cookies

• The Best Cream Cheese Frosting
• ground cinnamon (optional, for sprinkling)

Once the cookies have completely cooled, frost them with The Best Cream Cheese Frosting.

For a special touch, sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top before serving.

I like to add a little extra cinnamon for more flavor, but that’s up to your taste!

30-Minute Apple Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Delicious 30-Minute Apple Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 21 minutes mins

Total Time 31 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 4150 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the cookies:

• 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup peeled, finely diced tart apple

For the frosting:

• The Best Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

 

• Peel and finely dice 1 cup of tart apple and set aside. Dicing the apple finely ensures it disperses evenly throughout the cookie dough.
• In a large bowl, cream together the softened salted sweet cream butter, white sugar, and packed light brown sugar. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cookie.
• Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture from Step 2. Mix until well combined and smooth.
• Mix in the ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Then, add 1 3/4 cups of the all-purpose flour and blend until just combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening and spice.
• Gently fold in the finely diced tart apple from Step 1 with a spoon. Then add the remaining 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour and mix until the dough is fully combined and no streaks of flour remain. I like to use a wooden spoon here, as it helps keep the apples from breaking apart.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once the cookies have completely cooled, frost them with The Best Cream Cheese Frosting. For a special touch, sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top before serving. I like to add a little extra cinnamon for more flavor, but that's up to your taste!