Apple Fritter Cookies

If a soft sugar cookie and a warm apple fritter had a baby, this would be it.
These Apple Fritter Cookies are soft-baked, cozy, and packed with caramelized cinnamon apples, warm spices, and topped with a drippy vanilla glaze that mimics the classic donut-shop favorite—only baked, not fried, and even easier to make.

Whether you serve them warm from the oven or glaze them and gift them, these cookies are guaranteed to disappear fast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Brown sugar dough that bakes up chewy and golden

• Cinnamon-spiced apple chunks folded right in

• Buttery, soft centers with crisp edges

• A vanilla icing drizzle that gives total apple fritter vibes

• No chill time required—just mix, bake, drizzle, devour

Final Thoughts:

These Apple Fritter Cookies with Icing Drizzle are the perfect way to capture the comfort of a warm donut in a soft-baked cookie. They're cozy, nostalgic, and just indulgent enough—with golden caramelized apples, brown sugar richness, and a glossy glaze that ties it all together.

Yield: 20 cookies

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Apple Fritter Cookies

If a soft sugar cookie and a warm apple fritter had a baby, this would be it. These Apple Fritter Cookies are soft-baked, cozy, and packed with caramelized cinnamon apples, warm spices, and topped with a drippy vanilla glaze that mimics the classic donut-shop favorite—only baked, not fried, and even easier to make.

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

• 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced small
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon

For the Cookie Dough

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

For the Vanilla Drizzle

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
2. Cook for 4–5 minutes until the apples are soft and lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 mins).
4. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
6. Add dry ingredients to wet, and mix until just combined. Gently fold in the cooled apple mixture.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
8. Scoop dough into heaping tablespoons (or use a medium cookie scoop) and place 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are just set.
10. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
11. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add more milk if needed for a drizzle-able consistency.
12. Drizzle over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag.

Notes

Dice apples small so they soften and distribute evenly

Let apples cool before folding into the dough to avoid melting the butter

Use tart apples (like Granny Smith) for balance, or try Honeycrisp for extra sweetness

Drizzle icing once cookies are cool or it will melt and disappear into the cookie

Nutrition Facts

Calories

130

Sugar

13 g

Protein

1 g

Fat

6 g

Carbs

19 g

Sat. Fat

3 g

Cholesterol

23 mg

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

19 g

Sodium

78 mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.