Okay, picture this: the warm, gooey comfort of apple pie, but in a cute little cookie! I’m seriously obsessed with these Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies, and trust me, you will be too. I’ve always loved baking, but sometimes I just don’t have the patience for a whole pie. That’s where these babies come in. They’re like a mini apple pie hug in every bite! And the best part? They’re totally gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy them. I’ve tweaked this recipe a million times to get it *just* right. Honestly, sometimes I think I dream about cinnamon and apples. If you’re looking for an easy, delicious, and gluten-free treat, these Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies are calling your name. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love These Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies

Delicious Gluten Free Apple Pie Flavors

Seriously, these cookies are like a tiny apple pie exploded in your mouth! My favorite part is how the warm cinnamon cookie just melts together with that sweet and tangy apple filling. It’s *exactly* like taking a bite of Grandma’s apple pie, but, ya know, in cookie form. You get that comforting, spiced apple flavor with every single bite. I swear, it’s pure magic!

Easy to Make Gluten Free Cookies

Don’t worry if you’re not a super experienced baker – these cookies are seriously simple. I promise! No complicated steps, no fancy equipment needed. If I can do it (and I’ve had my fair share of kitchen disasters, haha!), you definitely can. The dough comes together super quick, and the apple filling is basically just simmering apples with some spices. Easy peasy!

Perfect Gluten Free Treat

Finding yummy gluten-free desserts can be such a pain, right? But these cookies? Total game-changer! They’re proof that gluten-free doesn’t have to mean flavor-free. Actually, it means the opposite! Whether you’re gluten-free or just looking for a tasty treat, these Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies are a total win. Trust me, everyone will be begging for the recipe!

Ingredients for Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies

Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! First up, the apple pie filling. You’ll need:

Unsalted butter: 15g (that’s 1 tablespoon, just to be clear!).
Apples: 2 medium ones. I like using slightly tart and firm apples, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. Peel ’em, core ’em, and chop them into pieces about 1/4 inch (6mm) – think small dice. We’re shooting for about 300g of chopped apples total.
Light brown soft sugar: 50g (which is 1/4 cup). Make sure it’s packed in there when you measure!
Lemon juice: 15g (or 1 tablespoon). Freshly squeezed is always best, trust me!
Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon. ‘Cause what’s apple pie without cinnamon, am I right?
Cornstarch (US)/cornflour (UK): 4g (that’s 1/2 tablespoon). This helps thicken things up.
Water: 10g (or 2 teaspoons). To make a slurry with the cornstarch.

Cinnamon Cookie Ingredients

Now, for the cinnamon cookie part – my fave! Here’s what you’ll need:

Unsalted butter: 115g (that’s 1 stick). Make sure it’s softened! Seriously, leave it out for a bit. You want it soft, but not melted – nobody wants oily cookies.
Light brown soft sugar: 100g (or 1/2 cup). Again, pack it in when you measure!
Egg yolks: 2 US large/UK medium ones. Just the yolks! And make sure they’re at room temperature. It helps them mix in better, ya know?
Vanilla bean paste: 1/2 teaspoon (or 1 tsp vanilla extract). I’m obsessed with vanilla bean paste, but extract works great too.
Plain gluten free flour blend: 240g (or 2 cups). Make sure it’s a blend that works well for baking. I usually use Bob’s Red Mill.
Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons. Can’t have too much cinnamon in cinnamon cookies, can we?
Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon.
Xanthan gum: 1/2 teaspoon (Omit if your gluten free flour blend already contains xanthan gum.). This is important for gluten-free baking! It helps give the cookies structure.
Salt: 1/4 teaspoon. Just a pinch!

Cinnamon Sugar Ingredients

And last but not least, the cinnamon sugar coating! You’ll only need two things:

Granulated sugar: 100g (or 1/2 cup).
Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons.

Easy peasy, right? Now, let’s get to the fun part!

How to Make Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Apple Pie Filling

Okay, first things first, let’s get that apple pie filling going! In a saucepan – medium-sized is perfect – over medium-high heat, melt 15g (1 tbsp) of that unsalted butter. Once it’s all melty and bubbly, toss in your chopped apples, 50g (1/4 cup) of light brown sugar, 15g (1 tbsp) of lemon juice, and 1 tsp of ground cinnamon. Stir it all up so the apples are nicely coated. Now, pop a lid on that saucepan and let it cook over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the apples are tender and they’ve released their yummy juices.

Take the pan off the heat for a sec. In a small bowl, whisk together 4g (1/2 tbsp) of cornstarch and 10g (2 tsp) of water – this is your cornstarch slurry. Pour that into the apples and stir, stir, stir! Then, put the pan back on the heat and cook for another 30 seconds or so, stirring constantly, until the apple juices thicken up. You want it to be like a nice, gooey apple pie filling. Pour the filling into a bowl or deep plate and let it cool *completely* to room temperature. This is super important, or you’ll melt your cookie dough later!

Making the Gluten Free Cinnamon Cookie Dough

While that apple filling is cooling (patience, you got this!), let’s make the cookie dough! Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC) – you want it nice and ready. And line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, parchment paper is your friend here. It makes cleanup a breeze!

In a large bowl, cream together 115g (1 stick) of softened butter and 100g (1/2 cup) of light brown sugar until it’s pale and fluffy. You can use a mixer for this, or do it by hand if you’re feeling ambitious! Then, add in those 2 egg yolks and 1/2 tsp of vanilla bean paste (or 1 tsp extract) and mix it all up until it’s nicely combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together 240g (2 cups) of your gluten-free flour blend, 2 tsp of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of baking powder, 1/2 tsp of xanthan gum (if your flour blend needs it), and 1/4 tsp of salt. Now, dump that dry mixture into the wet ingredients and mix it all together until you get a smooth cookie dough with no clumps of flour. It should be scoopable and not too sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a *tiny* bit more flour, like a tablespoon at a time.

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Assembling and Baking the Gluten Free Cookies

Alright, the moment we’ve been waiting for! In a small bowl, mix together 100g (1/2 cup) of granulated sugar and 2 tsp of cinnamon – that’s your cinnamon sugar coating. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop out some cookie dough. Roll it between your palms to make a ball, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar so it’s totally coated. Repeat with the rest of the dough – you should get about 12-14 cookies. Place those sugary cookie dough balls onto your lined baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches (5cm) between them. They’re gonna spread!

Grab a 1/2-tablespoon measuring spoon and use it to make a little indent in the center of each cookie dough ball. Now, fill those indents with about 1 tablespoon of that cooled apple pie filling. Don’t overfill them, or they’ll get messy! Bake the cookies at 350ºF (180ºC) for 10-12 minutes, or until they’ve spread and puffed up a bit and are golden brown around the edges. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before you even *think* about serving them. They’re delicate when they’re warm, so patience is key! And that’s it! Enjoy your amazing Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies!

Tips for the Best Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies

Okay, you’ve got the recipe, but wanna make these cookies *extra* amazing? Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned along the way. Trust me, these tips will take your Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies to the next level!

Chill Out! This is a big one. If your dough is too soft, those cookies will spread like crazy in the oven. Pop the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or even longer!) before scooping. It makes a HUGE difference.
Flour Power: Not all gluten-free flours are created equal, ya know? I’ve had the best luck with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. But honestly, experiment and find what works for you! Just make sure it’s a blend designed for baking.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing gluten-free dough can make it tough. Mix until *just* combined. A few streaks of flour are totally fine!
Cool Completely (Seriously!): I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but let those cookies cool *completely* on the baking sheet before moving them. They’re fragile when warm, and you don’t want them falling apart.
Spice It Up: Feel free to play around with the spices! A pinch of nutmeg or allspice in the apple filling or cookie dough can add a really nice depth of flavor.

Follow these little tips, and you’ll be baking up perfect Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies in no time!

Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies Variations

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic recipe – awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations! These Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies are seriously versatile, and there are tons of ways to switch things up. My favorite part is experimenting, so don’t be afraid to get creative!

Nutty for Nuts!: Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough for a little extra crunch and nutty flavor. About 1/2 cup should do the trick!
Spice It Up (Even More!): Okay, so cinnamon is a must, but why not add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or even a tiny bit of cardamom to the apple filling? It’ll give it a super cozy and warm flavor.
Caramel Craze: Drizzle a little caramel sauce over the baked cookies. OMG, so good! You can even stir a little caramel into the apple filling before baking. Just don’t go overboard, or it’ll get too sticky.
Oatmeal Goodness: Add 1/2 cup of gluten-free rolled oats to the cookie dough for a chewier texture and a little extra fiber.
Maple Magic: Replace the brown sugar in the apple filling with maple syrup for a richer, more complex flavor.
Chocolate Chips: Everything is better with chocolate, right? Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, whatever floats your boat!

Seriously, the possibilities are endless! These are just a few ideas to get you started. Don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with your own unique Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookie creations! And if you do, pleeeease share them with me – I’m always looking for new inspiration!

Storing Your Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies

Alright, so you’ve baked up a batch of these amazing Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies. Now, how do you keep them fresh and delicious? Here’s the lowdown. Because of that yummy apple filling, these cookies need a little extra TLC when it comes to storage.

Loose is Best: Don’t go sealing these babies up in an airtight container! The moisture from the apple filling will make them soggy. Instead, store them in a loosely covered container in a cool, dry place. A cookie jar with a lid that doesn’t seal super tightly is perfect.
Room Temperature is Key: Keep them at room temperature. The fridge will dry them out (and nobody wants dry cookies!).
Best Enjoyed Within 3 Days: They’re at their absolute best within the first 3 days. After that, they might start to lose a little of their magic. But honestly, in my house, they never last that long!

Now, what about reheating? Honestly, I think these Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. But, if you *really* want to warm one up, pop it in the microwave for like, 5-10 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat it, or the filling will get too melty!

Frequently Asked Questions About Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies

Can I use a different type of apple in these Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies?

Absolutely! I usually go for Honeycrisp or Granny Smith because I love that slightly tart flavor. But honestly, any good baking apple will work! Braeburn, Fuji, even Gala apples are all yummy choices. Just try to pick something that holds its shape well when cooked, ya know? You don’t want total mush! And if your apples are super sweet, you might want to cut back on the brown sugar a tad.

What is the best way to store these Gluten Free Cookies?

Okay, storage is important! These aren’t your average cookies, so you can’t just toss them in an airtight container. The apple filling makes them a little more delicate. I find the best way to keep these Gluten Free Cookies fresh is in a loosely covered container at room temperature. A cookie jar that doesn’t seal *too* tightly is perfect. This way, they stay soft and delicious without getting soggy!

Can I freeze these Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies?

Good question! Freezing is a bit tricky because of the apple filling. I wouldn’t recommend freezing them *after* they’re baked. But, you *can* freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls! Just roll them in the cinnamon sugar as directed, then pop them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready for some fresh-baked goodness, just thaw the dough balls in the fridge overnight, then bake as usual. You might need to add a minute or two to the baking time. This way, you can have warm, gooey Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies whenever the craving strikes!

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Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s talk nutrition! I know, I know, it’s the *least* fun part, right? But hey, it’s good to know what you’re eating! Just a little disclaimer here: the nutritional information below is just an estimate. It can vary *a lot* depending on the specific brands and ingredients you use. So, don’t take it as gospel, okay?

Here’s a rough idea of what you’re looking at per cookie:

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: About 250
Sugar: Around 20g
Sodium: Roughly 50mg
Fat: In the neighborhood of 15g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~5g
- Trans Fat: 0g (yay!)
Carbohydrates: Close to 30g
Fiber: Maybe 1g (every little bit helps!)
Protein: A smidge over 2g
Cholesterol: Around 40mg

Keep in mind, this is just a ballpark figure! The best way to get accurate numbers is to plug your specific ingredients into a nutrition calculator. But hey, at least you have a general idea! And honestly? These Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies are so worth it, no matter what the numbers say! Enjoy!

Enjoyed this Recipe for Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies?

So, did you try these Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookies? I really hope you loved them as much as I do! Baking is always more fun when you share it, so I’d absolutely love to hear what you think!

If you gave this recipe a whirl, please, please, *please* leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out! Did you make any fun variations? Did your family devour them in seconds? I want all the juicy details!

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Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy baking! I can’t wait to hear about your Gluten Free Apple Pie Cookie adventures!