As the holiday season rolls around, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about dessert recipes that will wow your friends and family. But what if you’re a beginner baker and the thought of complicated recipes intimidates you? Enter Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites—your new favorite go-to treat that combines the best of both worlds: the warm, comforting flavors of snickerdoodle cookies and the classic, sweet-tart goodness of apple pie filling.
Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites: A Delicious and Easy Dessert
Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites are the ultimate easy treat, combining the cozy flavors of snickerdoodle cookies with the sweet warmth of apple pie. Perfect for beginners, this quick recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and is ideal for holiday parties or any occasion. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a tray of delicious mini pies that everyone will love!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix (17–18 ounces)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- Cinnamon-sugar mixture (included in the cookie mix)
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling (you can also use homemade apple pie filling, which I’ll cover in the tips section)
For the Topping:
- Caramel ice cream topping (optional, but highly recommended for extra sweetness)
Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Before starting any baking project, it’s important to preheat your oven so that the cookies bake evenly and at the right temperature. Set your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Spray a mini muffin pan generously with cooking spray, or use muffin liners if you prefer.
2. Mix the Dough:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the Snickerdoodle cookie mix, softened butter, and egg. Stir it all together until a dough forms. If the dough seems too dry or crumbly, knead it with your hands until it comes together. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
3. Roll the Dough into Balls:
Once your dough is ready, use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop or your hands to roll the dough into 24 evenly sized balls. The dough may feel a little sticky, but that’s okay—just be sure to roll each ball into the cinnamon-sugar mixture so that it’s well-coated. The cinnamon-sugar adds an extra burst of flavor that complements the apple filling beautifully.
4. Prepare the Muffin Tin:
Place the cinnamon-sugar-coated dough balls into the prepared mini muffin tin. Press them down gently so that they sit flat in the cups. If the dough isn’t fitting perfectly into the muffin cups, you can use your fingers to help shape them into the pan.
5. Bake the Cookie Cups:
Bake your Snickerdoodle cookie cups for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set. The beauty of these cookie cups is that they bake quickly, so keep an eye on them! Overbaking could result in a tough cookie, so it’s best to take them out as soon as they are golden.
6. Create a Well for the Filling:
As soon as you remove the cookie cups from the oven, use the back of a tablespoon to create a small well in the center of each cookie cup. This step is crucial, as it gives you a place to spoon in the apple pie filling. If you don’t have a tablespoon handy, you can use a smaller spoon or even a rounded butter knife to gently press down the center.
7. Cool the Cookie Cups:
Let the cookie cups cool for 3-5 minutes in the pan before removing them. This allows the dough to firm up so that you can easily pop them out of the tin without breaking them. Gently run a small knife along the edges of each cookie cup, and carefully lift them out. Place the cookie cups on a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the Apple Filling:
While the cookie cups cool, chop up the apple pie filling into small pieces. This helps the filling fit neatly into the cookie cups. If you’re using homemade apple filling, be sure to let it cool to room temperature before spooning it into the cups.
9. Fill the Cookie Cups with Apple Pie Filling:
Once the cookie cups are completely cooled, it’s time to fill them! Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, carefully fill each well with apple pie filling. You can top it off with a sprinkle of the leftover cinnamon-sugar mixture to add a little extra sweetness and flavor.
10. Drizzle with Caramel:
For a sweet finishing touch, drizzle caramel ice cream topping over the apple pie filling. The richness of the caramel enhances the cinnamon-sugar flavor and brings the dessert to a whole new level of indulgence.
Notes
1. Make Sure the Dough Isn’t Too Sticky:
If your dough feels too sticky to roll into balls, simply refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes before shaping. Chilled dough is much easier to work with.
2. How to Tell if Your Cookies Are Done:
It’s easy to overbake cookies, especially when they are so small! To ensure your cookie cups are perfectly baked, take them out of the oven when the edges are golden brown. The centers should be firm but soft to the touch. They will firm up a bit more as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem slightly soft when you first remove them.
3. Substituting Fresh Apples:
If you decide to use fresh apples for the filling, sauté them in a pan with some butter, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This will caramelize the apples and bring out their natural sweetness. Once the apples have softened, remove them from the heat and let them cool before spooning them into the cookie cups.
4. Get Creative with the Toppings:
While caramel is a classic topping, don’t be afraid to get creative! Try drizzling melted chocolate over the top, or add a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. A sprinkle of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, can also add texture and flavor.
This delightful treat is perfect for beginner bakers. If you’ve never baked before, this recipe’s simple steps, short prep time, and minimal ingredients will have you feeling like a seasoned pro in no time. I remember the first time I made these bites. It was for a family gathering, and I was looking for something festive, easy to prepare, and sure to impress. To my delight (and everyone else’s), these little bites turned out perfectly and disappeared within minutes. The sweet cinnamon flavor from the snickerdoodle cookie, combined with the gooey apple pie filling, made these a crowd favorite. Plus, they’re bite-sized, which makes them perfect for sharing.
One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it’s easy to customize. Whether you want to add extra spices, change up the filling, or even make them in different sizes, this recipe is flexible and forgiving. The best part? It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, which means you can whip up a batch of these bites with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll want to make them for every gathering.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the simple steps of making Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites, offering helpful tips along the way, and giving you ideas on how to make the recipe your own. So grab your apron and let’s get started!
Ingredients and Preparation
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of ingredients or complicated kitchen equipment to make these Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites. The key ingredients you’ll need are:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix (17-18 ounces)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- Cinnamon-sugar mixture (included in the cookie mix)
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling (you can also use homemade apple pie filling, which I’ll cover in the tips section)
For the Topping:
- Caramel ice cream topping (optional, but highly recommended for extra sweetness)
Ingredient Alternatives for Flexibility
One of the reasons this recipe is so beginner-friendly is its flexibility. You can easily swap out ingredients or adjust them according to your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Here are a few suggestions:
- Butter Substitute: If you’re lactose intolerant or vegan, you can replace the unsalted butter with plant-based butter or coconut oil. Both will give you a similar texture without compromising on flavor.
- Apple Filling Alternatives: While canned apple pie filling is convenient, fresh apples give you the opportunity to customize the flavor. To make your own apple pie filling, peel and chop 4-5 medium apples. Cook them in a saucepan with ½ cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon until they are soft and syrupy.
- Caramel Substitute: Caramel sauce can be rich, but if you’re looking for a lighter option, you can substitute it with melted white chocolate, honey, or even a powdered sugar glaze. However, caramel really adds that perfect holiday touch!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Before starting any baking project, it’s important to preheat your oven so that the cookies bake evenly and at the right temperature. Set your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Spray a mini muffin pan generously with cooking spray, or use muffin liners if you prefer.
2. Mix the Dough:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the Snickerdoodle cookie mix, softened butter, and egg. Stir it all together until a dough forms. If the dough seems too dry or crumbly, knead it with your hands until it comes together. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
3. Roll the Dough into Balls:
Once your dough is ready, use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop or your hands to roll the dough into 24 evenly sized balls. The dough may feel a little sticky, but that’s okay—just be sure to roll each ball into the cinnamon-sugar mixture so that it’s well-coated. The cinnamon-sugar adds an extra burst of flavor that complements the apple filling beautifully.
4. Prepare the Muffin Tin:
Place the cinnamon-sugar-coated dough balls into the prepared mini muffin tin. Press them down gently so that they sit flat in the cups. If the dough isn’t fitting perfectly into the muffin cups, you can use your fingers to help shape them into the pan.
5. Bake the Cookie Cups:
Bake your Snickerdoodle cookie cups for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set. The beauty of these cookie cups is that they bake quickly, so keep an eye on them! Overbaking could result in a tough cookie, so it’s best to take them out as soon as they are golden.
6. Create a Well for the Filling:
As soon as you remove the cookie cups from the oven, use the back of a tablespoon to create a small well in the center of each cookie cup. This step is crucial, as it gives you a place to spoon in the apple pie filling. If you don’t have a tablespoon handy, you can use a smaller spoon or even a rounded butter knife to gently press down the center.
7. Cool the Cookie Cups:
Let the cookie cups cool for 3-5 minutes in the pan before removing them. This allows the dough to firm up so that you can easily pop them out of the tin without breaking them. Gently run a small knife along the edges of each cookie cup, and carefully lift them out. Place the cookie cups on a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the Apple Filling:
While the cookie cups cool, chop up the apple pie filling into small pieces. This helps the filling fit neatly into the cookie cups. If you’re using homemade apple filling, be sure to let it cool to room temperature before spooning it into the cups.
9. Fill the Cookie Cups with Apple Pie Filling:
Once the cookie cups are completely cooled, it’s time to fill them! Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, carefully fill each well with apple pie filling. You can top it off with a sprinkle of the leftover cinnamon-sugar mixture to add a little extra sweetness and flavor.
10. Drizzle with Caramel:
For a sweet finishing touch, drizzle caramel ice cream topping over the apple pie filling. The richness of the caramel enhances the cinnamon-sugar flavor and brings the dessert to a whole new level of indulgence.
Beginner Tips and Notes
1. Make Sure the Dough Isn’t Too Sticky:
If your dough feels too sticky to roll into balls, simply refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes before shaping. Chilled dough is much easier to work with.
2. How to Tell if Your Cookies Are Done:
It’s easy to overbake cookies, especially when they are so small! To ensure your cookie cups are perfectly baked, take them out of the oven when the edges are golden brown. The centers should be firm but soft to the touch. They will firm up a bit more as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem slightly soft when you first remove them.
3. Substituting Fresh Apples:
If you decide to use fresh apples for the filling, sauté them in a pan with some butter, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This will caramelize the apples and bring out their natural sweetness. Once the apples have softened, remove them from the heat and let them cool before spooning them into the cookie cups.
4. Get Creative with the Toppings:
While caramel is a classic topping, don’t be afraid to get creative! Try drizzling melted chocolate over the top, or add a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. A sprinkle of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, can also add texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites are perfect for holiday parties, but they’re also great for a cozy weekend treat. If you’re serving these at a party, consider pairing them with:
- Vanilla ice cream: The cool, creamy ice cream balances out the warm, cinnamon-spiced cookie bites. It’s the perfect contrast in texture and temperature.
- Whipped cream or whipped topping: For a lighter option, a dollop of whipped cream will add a lovely airy texture to each bite.
- Hot beverages: These little bites pair wonderfully with a hot drink like coffee, tea, or hot apple cider. The warmth of the beverage complements the cinnamon flavor in the cookies and the sweetness of the apple filling.
Storage Tips:
These Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. When reheating, simply microwave them for 10-15 seconds to bring them back to their original warm, soft texture.
Conclusion
Making Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites is not only fun and easy, but it’s also a great way to impress your friends and family with minimal effort. These mini treats combine the best of both worlds—snickerdoodle cookies and apple pie—in a bite-sized form that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe is sure to bring comfort and joy to your kitchen. So, give it a try, share your creations with others, and enjoy the sweet, cinnamon-filled goodness that is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Happy baking!
