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These delicious chewy Apple Oatmeal Cookies are topped with creamy brown butter frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It’s like apple pie meets chewy oatmeal cookies, perfect as a yummy fall season treat! It’s that time of year!
You’ll Love This Recipe!
These healthy Apple Oatmeal Cookies are totally old-school cookies. Like the kind your Grandma would make. Except I frosted them with Brown Butter Frosting. When making these cookies, I ate more frosting than cookie dough. That’s saying a LOT. And just like any other cookie, these are pretty simple to make. And even if you screw them up, the frosting will fix everything. Also, I now believe that Brown Butter Frosting is the key to world peace.
Apple Oatmeal Cookie Recipe Variations
One thing that I love about my readers is that they take my recipes and customize them to suit their wants! Here are a couple of common variations for these apple oatmeal cookies:
- Plain: If you don’t have a huge sweet tooth, skip the frosting and enjoy these cookies plain.
- Shredded Apple: I diced my apples but if you want to you could shred them. This distributes the flavor and moisture a little better.
- Add Nuts: Walnuts to be specific, this sounds so good.
- Make Sandwich Cookies: Instead of frosting one cookie, make these into sandwich cookies instead. Kinda like my Oatmeal Cream Pies!
How to Make Apple Oatmeal Cookies
For full recipe details, including an ingredients list and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is step by step what you can expect when making this easy recipe:
Preheat Oven + Prep
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
Make the Dough
In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter and sugars (granulated sugar and brown sugar) together until light and fluffy. Stir in the large egg and vanilla extract.
Slowly incorporate all of the dry ingredients (all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon) into the wet ingredients. Stir in the quick oats and apples.
Bake + Cool
Scoop onto the prepared cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or until warm, your choice!
Make the Brown Butter Frosting
While cookies are baking, place 1/4 cup butter into a small saucepan. With the heat on medium, melt and brown the butter. (If you are unfamiliar with browning butter, I go into more detail about how to and what to watch out for, on my post for Brown Butter Frosting.)
Once the butter is a medium brown/amber color remove from heat and pour into a small bowl. Stir in powdered sugar and enough milk to get a spreadable consistency (add more powdered sugar and milk as needed to get the consistency you like).
Frost the Cookies
Frost warm or room temperature cookies and sprinkle with more cinnamon, if desired. Serve.
Storing Directions
Because these cookies contain fresh apples I’d enjoy and eat them ASAP. However that doesn’t mean you can’t store them for a few days either (up to three days). Be sure to store in an airtight container. You can either leave the cookies unfrosted then frost as you go or separate them with a layer of parchment paper.
To Freeze: Freeze unbaked (dough) or baked (without frosting). Then either pop those suckers into the oven from frozen to bake or thaw and warm up, as desired. I suggest making the frosting fresh for maximum flavor and ease. Freeze for up to three months.
Apple Oatmeal Cookies FAQs
This delicious recipe has been around for a while which means I have some Frequently Asked Questions and answers for you! Read this before making these cookies, m’kay?
Cookies usually flatten out because there isn’t enough flour mixed in. It’s a pretty common thing to happen and has to do with how you measure the flour. I suggest doing a tester (bake 1 cookie) to see how they do. If they’re really flat, then add a little more flour, like 1-2 tablespoons. Then test another cookie to see how they bake.
Too much baking soda can flatten cookies too, so make sure you follow the recipe card to a T.
I like using parchment paper because it means less dishes! And the Silpat silicone mats are great for cookies. NOTHING sticks to them!
As the frosting cools it might develop a hardened, flaky top. This is totally normal for frostings made in a saucepan. However, if you’re looking for a smoother texture, simply allow the browned butter to cool then with a hand or stand mixer, mix it with the other ingredients.
I used Fuji apples but Honeycrisp apples, Gala apples or any apple variety works here, really. I know some of you are die hard fans of Granny Smith apples when it comes to baking, so use what you like.
I used quick cooking rolled oats but you could also use old fashioned oats as well.
More Oatmeal Cookie Recipes to Try!
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Coconut Peanut Butter Oatmeal Scotchies
- Absolutely Loaded Oatmeal Cookies
- Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Stuffed Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Soft Oatmeal Cookies
We LOVED these Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies. The combination of sweet apples with the chewy oatmeal texture – and of course the quintessential apple spice – cinnamon, is such a classic! But, anything could taste good with that frosting slathered all over it. 🙂 These chewy apple oatmeal cookies are perfect for an evening treat, an after-school snack or to pack in a lunch. The printable recipe card is below, enjoy!
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave a review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 6 tbsp brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour + 1 tablespoon
- 1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
- 1/2 cup apple peeled + diced, I used a fuji
for the frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tbsp milk approximately
- cinnamon for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheet with silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Stir in egg and vanilla. Slowly incorporate all dry ingredients.
- Stir in oats and apples.
- Scoop onto prepared sheet.
- Bake 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden.
- While cookies are baking, place 1/4 cup butter into small saucepan. With heat on medium, melt and brown the butter. Once the butter is a medium brown/amber color remove from heat and pour into a small bowl.
- Stir in powdered sugar and enough milk to get a spreadable consistency.
- Frost warm cookies and sprinkle with more cinnamon, if desired. Serve.
Just made these cookies and they are delicious!! These garnered rave reviews and I will be making these again. Thanks for the recipe!
These have got to be the ultimate fall cookie! They look so delicious!
[…] Apple Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting […]
Made these today and they are awesome! I doubled the cinnamon and vanilla, just a personal preference, and I grated the apples instead of dicing them. Definitely will make again.
Thank you!
i have a question- If you don’t put the icing on right away, could you freeze the cookies, thaw them out and then frost them before you serve them? Just wondering, they look tasty and your daughter is lovely…
I frost them pretty much right away. Never done it before after freezing but don’t see why that wouldn’t work!
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Made these last night. They were absolutely delicious. Added 1/2 cup walnuts. Great recipe!!!
This is so my kind of cookie! I pinned it to try this weekend.
[…] good combination. This works in pies, crumbles, muffins – the list goes on. These Apple Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting from Lauren’s Latest have brought this flavor mixture to cookie form, which look so rustic […]
LOVE these. What a great mix of flavors! I bet the brown butter adds such a yummy depth to these oatmeal cookies. Also, your daughter is just so adorable. I am sure that she was fine being used for her cheap labor 🙂
This is the type of cookie i could eat 40 of and still want more. I mean there’s fruit in there, so it’s kinda healthy 🙂
Mmm! These look amazing. I think I want a couple for breakfast this morning!
All you have to do is say browned butter, and I come running!! And that is the best kind of child labor!
[…] Apple Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting from Lauren’s Latest […]
These are great!! Mine spread out a bit as well, but that makes no never mind to my family lol I added cinnamon to the frosting and am in love! Thanks so much for this delicious recipe 🙂
I made these yesterday and the flavor was awesome, but they spread all over, and were really too thin. Couldn’t frost them (although I didn’t need to they taste great alone). However, if I make them again I’ll have to do something different 1/2 cup flour maybe wasn’t enough or something.
Try making them smaller and possibly adding a touch more flour. Did you add the 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon? This recipe has worked for me several times…interesting that you’re were flat like pancakes.
I followed the recipe exactly and kept the cookies small, in fact they made 36 cookies because I made them a little small. Anyway they sure were tasy even if they were flat. I think a little more flour and maybe refrigerate them before scooping and baking. Thanks for the reply.
Mine came out spread and flat too… so I added a good bit more flour to the second half of the batter, and then they were fine! I probably would put 3/4 – 1 cup of flour in them next time. But they’re yummy!
I wonder… I used old fashioned (not quick cooking) oats – maybe the quick cooking ones absorb more moisture? or something…
I used quick cooking oats–they didn’t absorb any extra moisture. Maybe the kind of apple I used was extra juicy?
These cookies are a work of art. They look so good. Your pictures are so pretty and your little girl is adorable. Have a nice weekend!
These look so great! And they have apples and oats in them, so my nutritionist can’t get upset with me, right? Right?
Maybe I’ll make half with frosting and half without, and eat the plain ones for breakfast 😀
Hehe, this post is awesome! I especially like that you love our faces 🙂
I am making these this afternoon for a coffee date tomorrow. Looks so good. Question though, can I frost these cookies now, or should I wait till just before serving?
p.s Happy Victoria Day from a fellow Canuck.
These look amazing! I love creative cookies!
Another big hit!! This looks and sounds so delicious!
The cookies and frosting look amazing! Love your daughter, she’s so cute! Hope I get to meet her next month!!
Cutest, sweetest pictures, ever! Those cookies look great too 🙂
Thanks, Kristen!!
You have the cutest little helper I have seen since my 20 year old daughter was that age! 😀 I printed this recipe.
I have tried a few times to make apple pie cookies.. all unsuccessful. These sound awesome.
Your daughter is ADORABLE. Also, I am obsessed with all things brown butter-related so I must make these immediately. Or tomorrow morning. But either way, very soon!
Yay! Hope you like them!
I’m currently making these cookies and the atter is amazing, but is there supposed to be more flour than just half a cup?
Batter*
nope! 1/2 cup is right!
you are such a genius for creating this. looks sooo good!! i can just imagine tasting a delicious apple pie in this cookie….brooke is absolutely adorable! haha cheap child labor, love it 😉
It’s like apple pie meets oatmeal cookie…with a good brown butter slathering.
mmm…looks so warm and inviting! I don’t know that I’ve had apple in cookies before though it sounds wonderful! Love the oats, love the brown butter frosting…the apples, the cinnamon. It all looks lovely. I bet your adorable little niece loved them!
I liked your photo. The cookies sound amazing with the frosting!
Good luck on the marathon. I have done a couple half’s, but have always wanted to do a whole. Not sure my knees could hold up though 🙁
That frosting looks heavenly! Yum!
Who could resist baking cookies for your cute little angel. They sound scrumptious!
Does you daughter do the washing up too (aside from licking the kitchen aid attachment clean)? I think I need to get me one of those!
These cookies are full of some of my favourite things and I feel the urge to cover everything that I eat in brown butter frosting right now!
We’ve tried to teach her the concept of dishes, but it’s been a total FAIL. Maybe in a few months.
These little cookies look so good, Lauren! The flavors are so reminiscent of fall, too, which I can never get enough of. Great recipe!
Love the brown butter frosting. That would be amazing on almost anything!
These sound amazing. Brown butter really is magical.
These sound perfect! Love apple and oats together, and with brown butter frosting, I’m pretty sure you can’t go wrong!
Love the picture of your daughter!
The pictures of your daughter are just precious! These cookies look divine. And with the brown butter frosting, I would be eating just the frosting too! 🙂
Cheap labor rocks. And can I have these for breakfast? They do have fruit so it seems totally okay in my book. 🙂
Lauren, these cookies look great. One question though. Your recipe calls for quick cooking oats. Do you think I can just sub in old fashioned, which I have on hand?
Yup! That should be fine!
Ooooh these flavors are glorious. Apple + oatmeal + brown butter + cinnamon = all the comfort I need in cookie form! Also, your daughter is adorable. She can steal cookie dough from me anytime (except not really because licking the paddle is my favorite part).
One of my favorite things….beater licking, I think she is very well paid!
I LOVE apples in baked goods…seriously one of my favorite things. But can you believe I still haven’t tried browned butter anything??? What is WRONG with me?!?!
I so want to make these but I know I would be completely powerless with them in the house. Thus, I will make these the next time I have company or have to bring a dessert and make everyone else powerless, too 😉
You had me at brown butter.
Love the big chunks of apples you can see in the cookie! But even more I love your assistant. I have one of those too! Big help.
These look fantastic and your daughter is too cute (and smart)! I’d definitely have to make extra frosting to be safe.
Yes! Extra frosting is a must!
Your daughter is just too precious! And these cookies are to die for! It has all my favorite ingredients – apple, oatmeal, and butter. Oh wait, and that frosting too. Can’t forget about that!
I love the pic of her licking the beater…part mischief, part sheer joy, part sneaky little daredevil…I can see my daughter being the same 🙂
Great cookies, Lauren!