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Close-up of soft, crumbly cookie texture highlighted by a thick drizzle of icing

Vanilla Glazed Apple Cookies

These Vanilla Glazed Apple Cookies are soft, spiced cookies filled with apple, raisins, and walnuts, then finished with a sweet vanilla glaze for a cozy dessert that feels tender, old-fashioned, and wonderfully comforting.
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Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Vanilla Glazed Apple Cookies
Servings: 0

Ingredients

For the Apple Cookies

  • 1/2 c shortening
  • 1 1/3 c packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 c milk
  • 2 c all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 c chopped walnuts
  • 1 c finely diced peeled apple
  • 1 c raisins

For the Vanilla Glaze

  • 1 1/2 c confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tbsp butter melted
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 2 to 4 tsp milk

Instructions

Prepare the Cookies

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the egg and milk, and beat until fully combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition.
  • Stir in the walnuts, diced apple, and raisins until evenly distributed.

Shape and Bake

  • Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool.

Prepare the Vanilla Glaze

  • In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and enough milk to create a smooth glaze.
  • Stir until the glaze is fully blended and pourable.

Finish the Cookies

  • Drizzle the glaze over the warm cookies.
  • Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes

To make these Vanilla Glazed Apple Cookies gluten free, replace the all-purpose flour with a reliable 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum or a similar binder. Also confirm that the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, baking soda, spices, raisins, and any packaged ingredients are labeled gluten free, since brands and processing methods can vary. Because gluten-free cookie dough can sometimes be slightly softer, chilling the dough briefly before baking may help the cookies hold their shape better. For anyone with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, use clean bowls, mixers, baking sheets, cooling racks, and utensils to avoid cross-contact.