Easy gluten-free apple pie cookie cups are not only adorable to serve but they taste fantastic! Sweet cinnamon apple pie filling sits inside buttery cookie cups for the perfectly crunchy and soft bite. Plus, they are served right up as is...no need for a plate and fork. With only 20 minutes of hands on time, they are also easy to make.
What's to love about this recipe...
Less intimidating than pie - The homeyness of apple pie is something everyone should enjoy, even if you don't want make it in a traditional gluten free apple pie. Our filling for these cups is easy to whip up and has all the warm flavors of stewed apples, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Great for on the go eating at gatherings - Making gluten-free cookies into cups is so fun! You can take any GF cookie mix that you like and prepare it into cups. Then you don't need a plate and fork making it the perfect party finger food.
Milks favorite friend - We love dipping these little beauties in milk for the ultimate cookies and milk, with a touch of pie experience! I also love sipping on this spiced crockpot apple cider while eating them.
Quick, grab those apples!
Any variety of apple will do to make our apple pie filling. Traditionally, firm tart apples are what people use but any of them will work. It really depends on how sweet you like your filling.
Here are some of the most common apples used in apple pie filling...
- Granny Smith
- Golden Delicious
- Jazz
- Jona Gold
- Pink Lady
Other than that, you really just need a good gluten free cookie mix and a few other ingredients. I like chocolate chip here as I think it makes the flavor stand out.
A few things I want you to know before you make these:
-
- A silicone muffin pan makes all the difference here. The cookie cups are much easier to remove once chilled, and you can gently peel the pan away instead of trying to lift them out.
- Lightly grease your hands before pressing the dough into the wells. The dough is soft, so this keeps it from sticking and helps you shape an even bottom and sides.
- Don’t overbake the cookie cups. You’re looking for set edges, but the centers should still be soft so they stay chewy instead of turning crisp.
- The centers may puff up in the oven, and that’s completely normal. Just gently press them back down while the cups are still warm to recreate the well.
- Make sure the cornstarch mixture is smooth before heating the apple filling. This is the easiest way to avoid little lumps.
- Let the apples cook until tender but not mushy. You still want some texture in the filling.
- The freezer step is important. Once the cups are fully chilled, they’ll hold their shape and pop out of the silicone pan much more cleanly.
- Fill them close to serving so the cookie cups stay sturdy. I love finishing them with flaky salt or freshly grated nutmeg.
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Easy Gluten-Free Apple Pie Cookie Cups
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Gluten-Free Cookie Mix
- ½ C cashew butter (or other nut butter works too)
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoon salted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 5 C diced apples of your choosing (about 4 medium apples)
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¾ C brown sugar
- ¼ C cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- dash of salt
- 1 ½ C water or apple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 12 cup silicone muffin pan
- In a large bowl, mix egg, nut butter and butter
- Add Meli's Cashewlicious Gluten-Free Cookie Mix, cinnamon and nutmeg
- Take 2 ½ T rounds of cookie dough at a time and place them in each muffin well
- With greased hands, press up sides so that bottom and sides are the same thickness forming a cookie cup
- Bake 7-9 minutes until edges are set, meanwhile, make the apple pie filling by tossing the diced apples with lemon juice in a bowl and set aside
- In a medium saute pan, make a slurry with the cornstarch, spices, brown sugar and water or apple juice
- Bring to a boil whisking oftenAdd the apples and bring to a boil
- Simmer until tender about 10-12 minutes
- When cookie cups are done, remove them from oven and push down center of the cookie cup with your hands if it popped up a bit to create that cookie cup well again
- Place them in the freezer for an hour then gently remove them by folding back the silicone pan around each and pushing up the bottom until they pop out
- Place cookie cups on your serving platter and spoon 1-2 T of warm apple pie filling into each well
- Serve with a sprinkling of course salt or fresh ground nutmeg
Dana says
I love that they are mini. Good for portion control-well maybe 🙂
Chandice says
Haha, yes! Except I eat too many 😉
Ashley B says
apple pie and cookie?!! what's not to love?
Noreen says
These are perfect as appetizers or to take in a school lunch.
Donna says
I love the size of these and that there's no need for a plate or fork. They would be fantastic to take to my family's Christmas get-together!
vladimir says
i love cookies i will try this
Darlene Carbajal says
I like that it's high in protein!
sheila ressel says
I love that everyone can have their own individual apple pie. No fighting over who got the biggest piece!
Amanda S. says
I like mini pie desserts. If I make a pie at home, it's just my husband and I and that's a lot of pie to eat.
Jeffrey says
I'm a big fan of apple desserts and I like the size, perfect for a snack or even better for a dinner party!
Dee R says
I love apple desserts and this seems to be great for gluten free needs that I have!
Beth B says
Sounds really good - and I love Target!
Sara Zielinski says
I love apple pie so I love this recipe.
Denise M says
these cookies sound amazing and who doesnt love target!
Elle says
I love the apple cinnamon filling. I am a big fan of apple pie.
bn100 says
like the apples
Sarah says
A cashew crust with apples sounds delicious!
KRistin W says
I love that you can make different substitutions for this recipe. You could make your own variations
Tracie Cooper says
I would love to make this amazing recipe for my niece who's gluten free!
Bridgett Wilbur says
I just love the portion size and I can't wait to make them tonight.
Renee Kate says
I like the cinnamon and apples in this recipe.