Apple Crisp Cookie Cups

Gooey, warm cinnamon apples sit inside a mini sugar cookie cup and together make delicious these apple cookie cups! If you love warm apple crisp or gooey apple pie, you’ll adore this mini dessert version that takes all of the delicious apple goodness in a soft and buttery sugar cookie crust.

 

Why We Love Apple Crisp Cookie Cups

• Apple Cookie And Apple Crisp Combined– Gooey, tender apples in a sugar cookie crust is a fun twist on apple crisp. This recipe tastes just like classic apple crisp in the middle, but in a sugar cookie!
• Semi-Homemade Saves Time– Storebought sugar cookie dough saves time making this decadent treat.
• Mini Size Perfect For Parties– Whether you’re serving this dessert at a party, or for a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, the mini size of this dessert is the best part. These apple crisp cookies are also a great easy dessert for apple season or if you go apple picking.

Ingredients For Apple Crisp Cookie Cups

• sugar cookie dough I used refrigerated dough from the grocery store.
• apples I used Granny Smith apples
• white granulated sugar – I’ve used sugar in the raw which is why it is slightly tan, but any white sugar works.
• brown sugar
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• butter
• water
• cornstarch

How To Make Apple Crisp Cookie Cups

• Peel apples, then dice into small bite-sized pieces about a quarter inch. Place apple pieces in a large mixing bowl.

• Add cinnamon, nutmeg, corn starch, brown sugar and white sugar to the apples. Toss well to coat the apples evenly.

• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. (I’ve used cast iron here but any skillet works.) Melt the butter, then add the apple mixture. Cook apples for 2-3 minutes or until they just begin to soften.
• Pour water into apple mixture. Continue to cook apples over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. The apples will begin to caramelize and the liquid will begin to thicken. Then remove apples from the heat and set to the side.

• Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a muffin pan, or spray well with non-stick cooking spray or baking spray.
• Scoop dough in 1 1/2 tablespoon scoops and place the dough into the bottom of a muffin tin with regular-size muffin cups. I find the easiest way to portion quickly and evenly is to use a medium cookie scoop.

• Press the dough in the bottom of each muffin tin. Mold the dough up the sides of the muffin tin about ¾ of the way to the top. You can also use the bottom of a small shot glass to press into the dough and shape the dough. The dough layer will feel thin, but don’t worry it will thicken as it bakes.

• Place the muffin pan in the oven. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the edges of the dough just start to turn a light golden brown. Allow the cookie cups to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
• With the edge of a spatula or butter knife, gently loosen and remove the cookie cups to cool completely on a wire rack.

• Once cool, scoop the apple mixture into the center of each cookie cup to fill. Then enjoy cold, or can also be served warm.

Variation Ideas

• Drizzle Caramel– Use storebought or homemade caramel sauce, both are delicious when drizzled over these cookie cups for an extra gooey touch that is the perfect comfort food.
• Swirl Whipped Cream– A swirl or a dollop of whipped cream on top of these cookie cups is SO yummy, and a great addition when serving this dessert.
• Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream– While these cookie cups are bite-sized and hard to put ice cream on top of like an apple pie, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or butter pecan ice cream is delicious served with this dessert.
• Sprinkle Pecans or Walnuts– Pecans or walnuts chopped can be sprinkled on top of these yummy cookie cups are a good idea for extra crunch. Yum!
• Add A Crumble Topping– I’ve made these cookie cups with more of a crisp or a crumble topping. You can use the crumble topping from my apple crisp pizza. Just mix the crumble topping only and add to the top of the cookie cups before baking.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Seasoning– You can swap homemade or storebought pumpkin spice seasoning in for the cinnamon and nutmeg. Apple pie spice is also sometimes sold in stores, and can be swapped for both cinnamon and nutmeg.

What Apples Can I Use?

You can use any apples that do well when cooked, I’ve used Granny Smith in this recipe but other apple varieties like Honeycrisp apples are also delicious when cooked. Here are more apple varieties that will work well when cooked in this recipe.

• Jonagold
• Honeycrisp
• Braeburn
• Mutsu (also known as Crispin sometimes)
• Winesap
• Pink Lady
• Cortland
• Empire
• Fuji
• Golden Delicious
• Granny Smith

How Long Do These Apple Crisp Cookie Cups Last?

Store cookie cups in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days for best freshness. These cookie cups do taste best when fresh, and even better served warm.

Can I Make These Cookie Cups A Day Ahead Or Overnight?

If making these cookie cups a day or more ahead of time or storing overnight I recommend storing the cookie cups and filling them separately. Then when you are ready to serve, fill the cookie cups and enjoy.

The cookie portion can absorb moisture from the apples, so by storing them separately you can make them ahead and they still taste fresh.