I just happen to mention to some co-workers that we didn't have any apple trees in our yard ... who needs apple trees when you have co-workers who are more than happy to give you thiers!! I had some of the most beautiful Gravenstien Apples but after eating about 1/2 and making Apple Dumplings, Pork Chops with Apples and Apple Cake my family was ready to shoot me!! That is until I made their all time favorite cookies, Apple Cobbler Cookies!
I have made these cookies for years from a recipe I found in the paper many years ago. Of course I added my spin and after countless trials and burnt cookies, I have it down to a science! The key to these cookies is one of two things, either you bake them on parchment paper or if you have muffin top pans, (remember when you bought them thinking how cool it would be just to make the tops of the muffins but found out it just doesn't come out the same as taking it off the top of a real muffin) use those! IT IS CRUCIALE YOU USE ONE OF THESE BAKING METHODS!!! Otherwise you will end up with a big cobbler mess and burnt cookies. So with out further ado I give you Apple Cobbler Cookies, perfect for Halloween parties!
Apple Cobbler Cookies
3 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1 c. butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 t. vanilla
1/4 c. apple juice
1/2 c. apple butter
2 c. tart apples, peeled and diced
1 c. pecans, chooped
1 c. craisins (optional)
Crumb Coating Mixture (recipe to follow)
Pre-heat oven to 325. Combine flour, baking powder, salt & cinnamon, set aside. Cream butter then add the sugars and cream together until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mix until smooth. Add apple juice & apple butter and thoroughly mix. Add flor mixture, scraping sides 1/2 way through. Mix in apple, pecans and craisins until just blended. (Dough will be sticky) DO NOT OVER MIX!
Crumb Coating
2 1/2 c. brown sugar
3 c. quick oats (not instant)
2 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 c. butter, melted
Combine sugar, oats & cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix until all dry are moist.
Using a ice cream scoop (2.5 oz) Roll dough in the Crumb Coating and place in a sprayed muffin top pan or on a parchment lined cookie sheet (DO NOT PLACE DIRECTLY ON THE COOKIE SHEET!!!!) Bake for 18 - 20 minutes. Remove from oven to wire rack.
IF USING MUFFIN TOP PANS: using a rubber spatula, push the melted sides toward the cookie away from the edge of the muffin top edge toward the cookie. This will keep the cookie from sticking to the edges. YOU MUST DO THIS AS SOON AS IT IS REMOVED FROM THE OVEN!!!
IF USING PARCHMENT PAPER: when you remove the cookies fromt he oven, the coating has melted around the edges. Using a rubber spatula push the melted sides toward the cookie. YOU MUST DO THIS AS SOON AS IT IS REMOVED FROM THE OVEN!!!
Let cookies cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the muffin top pans** or the parchment paper. **When you go to remove them from the muffin top pans, twist the cookie slightly to loosen it, then using a spatula, remove to wire rack.
These cookie freeze really well and ship really well. You can also replace the apple with peach for a peach cobbler cookie or cherries for a cherry cobbler cookie ... the cobbler possibilities are endless!!!