Spiced Apple Cinnamon Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Delight in the warm, spiced flavors of these Spiced Apple Cinnamon Snickerdoodle Cookies. Soft and chewy with a tender apple-infused dough, each cookie is coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture with a hint of nutmeg. Perfect for fall or any cozy occasion, these cookies combine the classic snickerdoodle with a fresh twist of tart Granny Smith apples to create a delicious treat that’s full of comforting spices and natural sweetness.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Apple Cookie Dough
- 3 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 5 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, scraping the bowl as needed. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients and Add Apples: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined, avoiding overmixing. Gently fold in 3 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples, ensuring the dough stays moist but well incorporated.
- Shape and Chill Cookie Dough: Using about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, scoop and form balls. Place them on a plate or tray and chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes or freeze for 10-15 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain tenderness.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Coating and Roll Dough Balls: While chilling, combine 5 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, and 1 3/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg in a small bowl. Roll each dough ball thoroughly in this mixture—rolling twice is recommended for extra flavor and crunch.
- Bake and Cool the Cookies: Arrange coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet with 2-inch spacing. Bake for 8-10 minutes until centers are set. Let cookies rest on the sheet for 2-3 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness and firm texture that holds well during baking.
- Do not overmix the dough to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Chilling the dough prevents excessive spreading and helps keep cookies soft.
- Rolling the dough balls twice in cinnamon sugar enhances flavor and adds a pleasant crunch.
- Serve cookies slightly warm with vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 40g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Snickerdoodle cookies, apple cinnamon cookies, spiced cookies, fall dessert, soft cookies, apple snickerdoodle, cinnamon sugar cookies