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Fall Baking Intermediate

Caramel Apple Hand Pie Cookies

Name: Caramel Apple Hand Pie Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 48 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 apples, peeled and diced; 2 tbsp butter; ¼ cup brown sugar; 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp nutmeg; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp water; 2 pie crusts, refrigerated; 1 egg, beaten; 2 tbsp coarse sugar, optional; ½ cup caramel sauce, warmed; 1 tsp flaky sea salt

Mini apple pies in cookie form: flaky crust, cinnamon apple filling and a drizzle of salted caramel with flaky sea salt.

By Amanda Updated October 17, 2026

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Little sealed pies of cinnamon apple, baked until golden and drizzled with salted caramel. Pie you can eat with one hand.

Prep30 min

Cook18 min

Total48 min

Serves18

LevelIntermediate

What makes it special

Apples
Butter
Brown sugar
Cinnamon

These little cookies taste exactly like apple pie, but you don't need a fork or a plate. A spoonful of cinnamon apple filling gets sealed between two rounds of flaky crust, baked until golden, then finished with warm caramel and a pinch of sea salt. They disappear fast.

Why they're a hit

They taste like mini personal apple pies.
Salted caramel makes them extra special.
They are easier than baking a whole pie, and there is no messy slicing.
Kids love helping to cut and seal them.

Making the filling

Dice the apples small so they cook evenly and fit neatly in each cookie. Cook them with butter, sugar and spices until just soft, then thicken with a little cornstarch until glossy.

Then wait. The filling must be completely cool before you assemble. Warm filling melts the dough and the cookies leak in the oven.

Assembling like a pro

Use a 2 to 3 inch round cutter.
Don't overfill: 1 to 2 teaspoons is plenty.
Press the edges firmly with a fork for a tight seal and a pretty pattern.
Cut a tiny vent on top so steam can escape.
Brush with egg wash for that shiny, golden bakery finish.

The caramel finish

Drizzle the caramel while the cookies are still warm so it flows nicely, then add a few flakes of sea salt. The salt cuts the sweetness and makes the apple taste even brighter.

Variations

Crumble top: sprinkle cinnamon streusel on top before baking.
Maple caramel: stir a spoonful of maple syrup into the caramel.
Cranberry apple: add a few dried cranberries to the filling.
Extra spice: add half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

Serving and storage

Serve them warm with vanilla ice cream, or pile them on a dessert board with toasted pecans. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and rewarm them in the oven so the crust crisps up again.

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Questions, answered

Can I use homemade pie dough?

Absolutely. Roll it about 1/8 inch thick and cut the circles the same way.

Why did my cookies leak?

The filling was still warm or the edges were not sealed well. Cool the filling completely and press the edges firmly with a fork.

Which apples work best?

Granny Smith holds its shape and adds tartness. Honeycrisp is sweeter and juicy. A mix of both is perfect.

Recipe by

Amanda

Home cook and recipe tester. I cook, photograph and re-test every recipe in my own kitchen so it works in yours, with honest timings and everyday ingredients.