Apple pie cookies

I can guide you through the recipe for “Apple Pie Cookies”, which are cookies that encapsulate the flavor of the traditional American apple pie in a mini and portable format. Here is how to prepare them, with an Italian twist, using a shortcrust pastry more similar to that of the tarts we find in our country.

Ingredients

For the shortcrust pastry:

• 300 g of type 00 flour
• 150 g of cold butter, cubed
• 75 g of icing sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 pinch of salt
• Grated zest of 1 lemon (for an Italian touch)

For the filling:

• 2 large apples, peeled and chopped into small cubes
• 30 g of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of flour

For the finish:

• 1 egg, lightly beaten (for glazing)
• Raw or brown sugar, for sprinkling

Preparation

1. Prepare the shortcrust pastry: In a large bowl, combine the flour, icing sugar, lemon zest, and pinch of salt. Add the cubed cold butter and work the dough with your hands or in a food processor until you get a sandy consistency.
2. Add the egg and mix until a compact dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the filling: In a saucepan, mix the apple cubes with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and lemon juice. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the apples have softened. Then, add the flour and mix well, cooking for another 2-3 minutes to thicken the mixture. Let it cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
5. Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface until it is about 3 mm thick. Use a circular cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles.
6. Distribute a teaspoon of apple filling in the center of half of the pastry circles.
7. Brush the edges of the circles with a bit of beaten egg and overlap another pastry circle, sealing the edges with a fork.
8. Make a small cut on the top of the cookies to allow steam to escape during baking.
9. Brush the top of the cookies with beaten egg and sprinkle with raw or brown sugar.
10. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden.
11. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Curiosity

Apple Pie Cookies combine the taste of traditional apple pie with the convenience of a cookie, ideal to be enjoyed as a snack or to accompany afternoon tea. The touch of lemon zest in the shortcrust pastry adds a freshness that balances the sweetness of the apple and spice filling.