Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies with Spiced Apple Filling: A Fall Favorite

The Soft and Chewy Spiced Apple Pie Cookie Recipe With An Added Crunchy And Nutty Richness.

This very special recipe was created by me personally testing out many, many recipes that currently live on the internet. After trials and tribulations, I have officially built the most perfect stuffed spiced apple pie cookie!

Whether you've never made cookies or think you are a pro, you should NOT move onto another recipe until you've tried this one. This cookie will blow your mind AND your taste buds. I would describe it like this: Soft, chewy, caramelized and nutty mixed with bits of crunch from the roasted pecans, then, when you finally do taste the center, it's exactly like an apple pie but you're like "wait, but I'm also eating a cookie!".

As the crisp air of fall settles in, there's nothing quite like the comforting flavors of warm spices, maple, and pecans to welcome the season. These Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies with Spiced Apple Filling are the ultimate autumn indulgence. Combining the nutty richness of brown butter, the sweetness of maple syrup, and a spiced apple center, these cookies bring all the cozy flavors of fall into one sensational treat. Perfect for a family gathering, an afternoon snack, or simply as a comforting pick-me-up with your coffee, these cookies will make your kitchen smell like fall itself.

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

• Brown Butter: Adds a deep, nutty flavor that transforms an ordinary cookie dough into something extraordinary.

• Maple Syrup: Enhances the sweetness naturally while complementing the pecans and apples.

• Spiced Apple Filling: A hidden gem inside every cookie, bringing warm spices and soft, caramelized apples into each bite.

  
  

Let’s dive into the magic of making these cookies!

Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies with Spiced Apple Filling

Pro Tip: For perfectly thick and chewy cookies, chill the assembled cookie dough balls in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to 24 hours before baking. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring they hold their shape and keep that delicious, gooey center intact. Plus, chilling the dough enhances the flavor, making every bite even more irresistible!

Pro Tip: One key to achieving the perfect texture in your cookies is to avoid overmixing the dough. Overmixing can cause the flour's gluten to develop too much, leading to tough, dense cookies instead of the soft, tender treats we all love. Once you’ve added the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mix just until the dough comes together—this will ensure your cookies bake up light, chewy, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled

• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans

For the Spiced Apple Filling:

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground allspice

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tbsp water

Optional Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1-2 tsp milk

  
  

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the Brown Butter:

• Begin by browning the butter. Melt 1 cup of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally until it turns amber in color and releases a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). This step deepens the flavor of the cookies.

• Transfer the browned butter to a mixing bowl and let it cool to room temperature.

2. Make the Spiced Apple Filling:

• In a medium skillet, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Cook until the apples are softened (5-7 minutes).

• Stir in 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp allspice. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water and add it to the apple mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until thickened, then set aside to cool.

3. Prepare the Cookie Dough:

• In the bowl with the cooled brown butter, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Beat until smooth and creamy.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

• Fold in the chopped toasted pecans for added crunch and flavor.

4. Assemble the Cookies:

• Weigh out about 3.5oz of cookie dough, roll it into a ball shape, flatten it between your palms, then shape it like a bowl with your fingers. Add a spoonful of the cooled spiced apple filling to the center, then fold the excess edges inwards to seal in the filling. Roll it back up into a dough ball.

• Place these on a plate, cover with cling film and refrigerated it for 30 mins to 24 hours (the longer, the more caramelized it will be)

5. Bake:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Place the stuffed cookie dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.

• Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set but still soft.

• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Optional Maple Glaze:

• For an extra touch, drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple maple glaze. Whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth, then drizzle over the cookies.

The Perfect Fall Cookie

These Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies with Spiced Apple Filling are the epitome of fall baking. Each bite offers layers of flavor—the nutty richness of brown butter, the crunchy texture of toasted pecans, and the soft warmth of spiced apples. Whether you serve them at your bakery, bring them to a gathering, or enjoy them with a cozy cup of tea, they are guaranteed to be a hit.

Don’t forget to share this recipe with fellow bakers, leave me a comment or tag us on Instagram when you try it out! We’d love to see how your cookies turn out. Happy baking!