Snickerdoodles have long been one of the most popular cookies to make at home. There’s something just so simple about the cinnamon-y sweet goodness that satisfies with every bite. If you love a classic snickerdoodle then get ready for apple pie snickerdoodles. Just a few changes to the standard recipe and you end up with a cookie that’s 50% apple pie, 50% snickerdoodle, and 100% delicious.

Despite America’s longstanding love of these cookies, their origins are mysterious. Some sources claim that these cookies are German and others claim they are an invention of the Pennsylvania Dutch. What we do know is that some of the earliest recipes for this cookie contained fruit and spices in the dough. That makes these apple pie snickerdoodles totally in keeping with tradition, even if the recipes most of us grew up with were a bit more plain.

To begin making this recipe you’ll need to combine your dry ingredients. In this case we used both white sugar and brown sugar for a richer taste. Then there’s also cinnamon and nutmeg in the cookie dough to really bring that apple pie spice to the table.

Once you’ve creamed together the butter and sugar and added in the dry ingredients, it’s time to add your peeled and chopped apples. You want small pieces so that the cookies bake evenly and so that each bite has a little bit of apple in it.

Then roll the dough into balls and coat in a cinnamon sugar mixture. Flatten each one on the cookie sheet, but don’t press too hard. Unlike regular snickerdoodles these cookies won’t be as flat because of the apple pieces.

To get the best result you’ll need to turn the pan halfway through baking so that they are evenly done. For a fun take on snickerdoodles, this apple pie version really delivers on flavor. And, they’re perfect with a nice, hot beverage. If you love apples this is a must-try recipe!