Description
Discover the delightful flavors of Turkish Apple Cookies, a soft and aromatic treat featuring grated apples, warm cinnamon, and a tender buttery dough. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, offering a unique twist with the addition of nuts and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated apples (about 2–3 medium apples)
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pistachios
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare the apples: Grate the apples finely and use a clean cloth to squeeze out any excess juice, which helps maintain the right dough consistency.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time for proper emulsification, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and keep a tender texture.
- Fold in apples and nuts: Carefully fold in the grated apples and, if desired, the chopped walnuts or pistachios to add moistness and crunch to the cookies.
- Form cookie dough balls: Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden, indicating they are done.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage.
- Optional finishing touch: Once cooled, dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant look and an extra hint of sweetness before serving.
Notes
- Ensure to squeeze out excess moisture from the grated apples to prevent the dough from becoming too wet.
- Chilling the dough briefly before baking can help maintain cookie shape, though it’s optional with this recipe.
- Substitute walnuts with pistachios or other nuts for preferred flavor and texture variations.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a suitable gluten-free flour blend, adjusting quantities as needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
