Golden apple crumble cookie cups filled with warm cinnamon apple filling and topped with oat crumble, arranged on a light surface with fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, and a linen napkin in the background. Cozy fall lighting creates a soft, inviting baking blog aesthetic.
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Apple Crumble Cookie Cups

ByCassidy

These Apple Crumble Cookie Cups are the perfect fall treat when you want a warm apple crisp but don’t want to make the whole dessert dish. Each one has a soft, buttery cookie base filled with gooey cinnamon apples and topped with a sweet oat crumble. Basically apple pie meets cookie in the best bite-sized form. Perfect as a unique Thanksgiving dessert, fall gathering, cozy weekends, or just when you’re craving something warm and sweet fresh from the oven.

Golden apple crumble cookie cups filled with warm cinnamon apple filling and topped with oat crumble, arranged on a light surface with fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, and a linen napkin in the background. Cozy fall lighting creates a soft, inviting baking blog aesthetic.

These cookie cups start with an easy, buttery cookie dough pressed into a muffin pan to form little cups. While they bake you’ll toss together a quick stovetop apple filling that tastes like warm apple pie filling, then finish them with a brown sugar oat crumble for that crisp, bakery-style topping. They look impressive but come together easily with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. 

Helpful Tips & Variations

  • Apple type: Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
  • Short on time? Use canned apple pie filling instead of homemade.
  • Add caramel: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the tops before serving for a caramel apple version.
  • Make mini versions: Use a mini muffin pan for bite-sized apple crumble cups (reduce bake time slightly).
  • Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts make the crumble extra crunchy.
  • Serve warm: These are delicious on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe: Apple Crumble Cookie Cups

Apple Crumble Cookie Cups
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Apple Crumble Cookie Cups

Recipe by CassidyCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

Cookie Cups
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Calories

240

kcal

Soft, buttery cookie cups filled with warm cinnamon apples and topped with a golden oat crumble, the perfect cozy fall dessert in every bite.

Ingredients

  • For the Cookie Cups:

  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened

  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed

  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

  • For the Apple Filling:

  • 2 cups diced apples (about 2 medium apples)

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water (for thickening)

  • For the Crumble Topping:

  • ¼ cup (25 g) old-fashioned oats

  • 2 tablespoons flour

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon cold butter, cubed

  • Pinch of cinnamon

Directions

  • Preheat oven: 350°F (177°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin pan.
  • Make the cookie dough: In a medium bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; mix until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until combined.
  • Form cups: Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough into each muffin cup. Press gently in the center and up the sides to form a cup shape.
  • Bake: 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden and set. As soon as they come out, use the back of a spoon to gently press down the centers again to keep the cup shape.
  • Make apple filling: While cookie cups bake, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon; cook 5–6 minutes until soft. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 minute until thickened. Remove from heat.
  • Make crumble: In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
  • Assemble: Spoon warm apple filling into each cookie cup. Top with crumble mixture.
  • Bake again: Return to the oven for 6–8 minutes until the crumble is golden brown.
  • Cool slightly: Let sit in the pan for 10 minutes before gently removing with a butter knife. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • The cookie base will puff up slightly when baking — pressing it back down after baking helps create room for the filling.
  • For a shortcut, use pre-made sugar cookie dough for the base.
  • You can prep the apple filling and crumble ahead of time and assemble before baking.
  • Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Refrigerate: Up to 5 days; warm before serving for best flavor.
  • Freezing: Freeze baked cookie cups (without apple filling) for up to 2 months. Add filling and crumble after thawing and reheat briefly before serving.
  • Make Ahead Tip: You can bake the cookie shells a day in advance, store covered, and fill them before serving.

More Fall Baking Recipes

I hope you and your loved ones enjoy these Apple Crumble Cookie Cups as much as my family and I do! If you make them, tag @cassandcrumb on Instagram and Facebook or leave a comment below — I’d love to see your cozy bakes.

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