Apple Cheesecake Cookies

Apple Cheesecake Cookies—a perfect combination of warm cinnamon, fresh apples, and rich cheesecake frosting. These cookies are soft, tender, and taste just like fall in every bite! If you love apple pie and cheesecake, these cookies are a must-try. The grated apples provide a fresh, fruity burst while the cinnamon adds that familiar warm spice, making these cookies perfect for cool autumn days. The smooth and tangy cheesecake frosting takes them to the next level, giving a dessert-like finish to each bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Apple Cheesecake Cookies:

For the Cookies:

• Butter: Gives the cookies a soft and rich texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create that delicious golden brown color.
• Egg: Adds moisture and binds the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors with a hint of sweetness.
• Flour: The base of your cookie dough.
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice, perfect for fall flavors.
• Grated Apples: Brings a fresh, fruity flavor and moisture to the cookies.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens up the apple flavor and prevents them from browning.

For the Cheesecake Frosting:

• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, tangy base for the frosting.
• Whipped Cream: Makes the frosting light and fluffy.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and balances the tang from the cream cheese.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a fresh, zesty kick to the frosting.

You’ll need the following tools for making the Apple Cheesecake Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for combining the cookie dough ingredients and a smaller ones for measuring.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugars, and mixing the dough.
• Spatula: To fold in the dry ingredients and combine the mixtures.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet, preventing the cookies from sticking.
• Cookie Scoop: To evenly portion out the dough.
• Cooling Rack: For allowing the cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Piping Bag: To add the frosting to the cookies.
• Sieve: For dusting the cookies with some extra cinnamon powder.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 115 g (1/2 cup) butter, softened
• 150 g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 100 g (about 1 cup) grated apples, peeled
• 1 tsp lemon juice (about 5 ml), fresh
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

For the Cheesecake Frosting:

• 90 g (1/2 cup) cream cheese, softened
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 80 g (1/3 cup) whipped cream
• 4 tbsp powdered sugar (or more to taste)
• Cinnamon, for dusting

Directions:

For the Cookies:

• Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Peel and grate the apples. Place them on a paper towel and squeeze to remove excess moisture.
• In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon).
• In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar for 3-5 minutes, until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat well.
• Fold in the dry mixture.
• In a small bowl, combine the apples, lemon juice, and cinnamon, then fold them into the dough. Be careful not to overmix.
• Using a cookie scoop, place dough onto the prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely.

For the Frosting:

• For the frosting, beat all the frosting ingredients together until creamy.
• Once the cookies are cool, pipe or spread the frosting onto the cookies. Sprinkle cinnamon on top if desired. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks:

Tips for the Cookies:

• Use Fresh Apples: For the best flavor, use fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold up well during baking and add a nice tart contrast to the sweet cookie dough and cheesecake frosting.
• Drain Apple Moisture: After grating the apples, make sure to squeeze out excess moisture using a paper towel. Too much liquid can make the cookie dough too wet and affect the texture.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: When folding the apple mixture into the dough, be careful not to overmix. Overworking the dough can lead to dense, tough cookies instead of soft and chewy ones.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape better during baking and also enhance the flavor.
• Use Softened Cream Cheese for Frosting: Ensure your cream cheese is softened at room temperature before making the frosting. This ensures a smooth, creamy consistency without any lumps.
• Add Lemon Zest to the Frosting: For an extra burst of freshness, add some lemon zest to the cheesecake frosting. It will complement the sweetness of the cookies and apples perfectly.
• Customize the Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon in both the cookie dough and apple mixture to suit your taste. You can even add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves for a warm, spiced flavor.

General Tips:

• Let the Cookies Cool Before Frosting: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before spreading or piping the cheesecake frosting. Frosting warm cookies can cause the frosting to melt and slide off.
• Decorate with Apple Slices: For a more decorative finish, you can place a thin slice of apple or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top of the frosted cookies.
• Store in the Fridge: Since the cookies have a cream cheese frosting, it’s best to store them in the fridge to keep them fresh. They can also be enjoyed chilled for a cheesecake-like experience.
• Freeze for Later: Both the unfrosted cookies and the frosting can be frozen separately. Simply defrost and frost the cookies when ready to serve.

These tips will ensure your Apple Cheesecake Cookies turn out delicious and perfect every time!

More Fall Baking Ideas:

• Cinnamon Roll Cookies – Soft, buttery cookies swirled with cinnamon sugar, bringing all the cozy flavors of cinnamon rolls in a delightful cookie form.
• Chai Cookies – Infused with warm chai spices and topped with a sweet spiced glaze, these Chai Cookies are the perfect cozy treat for fall!
• Pumpkin Sugar Cookies – These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are soft, spiced, and packed with the rich flavors of fall, perfect for a cozy treat any time!
• Apple Pie Cookies – Bite-sized versions of the classic dessert, these Apple Pie Cookies are filled with warm spiced apples and wrapped in a soft, chewy cookie.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: