Prize-Winning Apple Spice Drop Cookies

Submitted by Kittencalrecipezazz

"This cookie recipe took first prize in a contest, it has remained a favorite for many years! :)"

 

• Ready In: 28mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Yields: 36 cookies

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 2⁄3 cup white sugar
• 2⁄3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1⁄4 cup apple juice
• 2 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup apple, peeled, and finely chopped (Granny Smith apples are best)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

• FROSTING

• 1⁄4 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 -4 tablespoons apple juice

directions

1. Set oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a mixing bowl cream butter and both sugars together.
3. Beat in the egg and apple juice.
4. In a small bowl combine the dry ingredients.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; blend well.
6. Mix in the chopped apples and nuts.
7. Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 12-13 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Place on wire rack to cool.
10. For frosting: Beat all frosting ingredients until smooth; frost cookies.

Reviews

[ValkyrieQueen]

I've made these several times. I add 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves and use apple cider rather than apple juice. It has become one of the most asked for cookies from my kitchen, even from those that typically do not like spiced cookies or baked apples.

 

[deadre]

This turned out amazing. I baked the chopped apples in 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup butter, with apple pie spice, roasted cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg to make the apples tender before adding them to the cookie mix. I also added roasted cinnamon and apple pie spice to the icing for extra flavor! Thank you Kittencal for an awesome recipe!!!!

 

[Valerie L.]

I made this recipe but substituted with 2 cups whole wheat flr and 1/4 cup white flr when I read the reviews that stated their cookies ran a little. This also detracted from the apparent sweetness which for me is much nicer. I made a glaze with powdered sugar and apple juice and everyone loved them.

 

[Crystal G.]

These cookies were okay. Flavor and texture reminded us of a breakfast bar so I did my own icing. Using a cream cheese frosting recipe, I added 2 tbsp of the apple juice, 1 tsp of vanilla and 2 tsp of maple syrup. Everyone's comment was the icing was better than the cookie. I'll try this recipe again with a few adjustments to the cookie's sweetness.

 

[Bren in LR]

This is a fabulous recipe. As mother of the bride recently, I offered to bake desserts for the groom's table. I used a mandolin to thinly slice the quartered apples and did not use the icing, just dusted with powdered sugar. I baked these apple cookies, apple muffins, apple bundt cake and two heart shaped pumpkin pies. Most of the recipes were from food.com. We had a marvelous wedding cake from a local bakery so I didn't expect many of my desserts would be eaten. I was so wrong. It was like locusts in a wheat field. Only crumbs were left. The compliments made me feel so glad I made the extra effort on that busy, busy day. Your cookies were wonderful and I made them exactly as you wrote. Thanks so much.