Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups Granny Smith apples, finely diced
- 1 cup red candy melts or red tinted icing
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup (for extra shine)
- Wooden skewers or popsicle sticks (optional, for decor)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Peel, core, and dice your Granny Smith apples into very small pieces. Pat the diced apples dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture; this prevents the cookies from becoming soggy.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Gently fold the diced apples into the cookie dough using a spatula. Once the apples are evenly distributed, cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, melt the red candy melts according to the package instructions. Stir in a tablespoon of corn syrup to give the coating a high-gloss finish. Dip half of each cookie into the red coating, or drizzle it over the top to mimic the look of a candy apple. If using sticks, insert a small wooden skewer into the side of the cookie while the coating is still wet. Allow the coating to set completely before serving.
- Cook Time: 37 minutes