Healthy Apple Pie Cookies with Date Caramel
- Sally Rychlak
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
by Sally Rychlak
If you want a fall dessert reminiscent of apple pie without the extensive effort or the resulting sugar crash, these apple pie cookies are perfect for you. They incorporate all the warm flavors of fall: cinnamon, oats, apples, flaky sea salt, and a naturally sweet date caramel that elevates the cookie's indulgence to a whole new level.
They're also gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. Whether you're bringing dessert to Thanksgiving, packing a healthier afternoon snack, or just trying to satisfy a sweet tooth without reaching for something ultra processed, these are worth making.
Ingredients You'll Need
The cookies are made with oats, almond flour, applesauce, coconut sugar, cinnamon, coconut oil, an egg, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Let me just say, the cookie dough is addictive so mentally prepare yourself so you don't end up eating an absurd amount right out of the mixing bowl, as if it's your morning oatmeal.
For the topping, all you need are Medjool dates, hot water, almond butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt blended until smooth.
Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt if you have it. It makes every bite taste a little more like salted caramel.
A Few Notes
These cookies don't spread much, so lightly press them down before baking.
Let the dough sit for about 10 minutes before scooping. This gives the oats time to absorb some of the moisture.
Do not overbake them. They should still look slightly soft in the center when they come out of the oven.
Let the cookies cool completely before adding the date topping.
Storage
Store topped cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
For the best texture, store the cookies and date caramel separately and add the topping before serving. Unfrosted cookies can also be frozen for up to three months.
1
Storage
Store topped cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
2
Making Ahead?
If you're making them ahead for Thanksgiving or another celebration, store the cookies and the date caramel separately, then assemble before serving. The caramel stays glossy, and the cookies keep their texture better.
Notes
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
If using old fashioned oats, pulse them in a food processor a few times to create a finer texture. Do not blend them completely into flour.
3
In a large bowl, stir together the oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla.
5
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until fully combined.
6
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes so the oats can absorb some of the moisture.
7
Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, using about 2 tablespoons per cookie. Gently press each cookie down since they will not spread much while baking.
8
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.
9
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before adding the topping.
10
To make the date topping, soak the pitted dates in hot water for 10 minutes.
11
Add the dates, 1/4 cup hot water, almond butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a food processor or blender.
12
Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Add more water 1 tablespoon at a time until the topping reaches a thick, spreadable consistency.
13
Spread or pipe the date topping over the cooled cookies. Finish with flaky sea salt if desired.
Instructions
1 cup quick oats or old fashioned oats pulsed in a food processor
3/4 cup almond flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Apple Pie Cookie
8 Medjool dates pitted
1/4 cup hot water
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Date Caramel Topping
Healthy Apple Pie Cookie - Dairy Free, Gluten Free, and Refined Sugar Free
Recipe Curator
Sally Rychlak
These healthy apple pie cookies are soft, cinnamon-heavy, and topped with a simple date caramel. They are gluten free, dairy free, and made without refined sugar, but they still feel like dessert.
Servings :
14 Cookies
Calories:
160
Prep Time
15 min
Cooking Time
15 min
Rest Time
5 min
Total Time
35 min
Comments