How To Prepare Apple-Themed Cookies

Apple-themed cookies are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate the back-to-school season, fall festivities, teacher appreciation days, or simply to enjoy a cozy baking session at home.

Their charming shape, delightful apple flavor, and decorative appeal make them a favorite for kids and adults alike.

In this post, I’ll guide you through how to prepare apple-themed cookies from scratch—from dough to decoration—so you can wow your guests or fill lunchboxes with homemade charm.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather all your ingredients for both the cookie dough and the decorations. Here’s a simple list:

For the Sugar Cookie Dough:

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1–2 tablespoons milk (if needed for moisture)

For the Decorations:

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

In a larger bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—this should take about 2–3 minutes using an electric mixer.

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. If your dough feels too dry or crumbly, mix in a tablespoon or two of milk to bind it better. Once the dough forms, divide it into two portions, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour. This helps the dough firm up, making it easier to cut into apple shapes later.

Step 2: Roll and Cut the Dough

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

On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness.

Using your apple-shaped cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting until you’ve used up all the dough.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.

Don’t overbake, as you want the cookies to remain soft and tender.

Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Decorate Your Apple-Themed Cookies

Now comes the fun part—decorating! Divide your royal icing into separate bowls and tint them red, green, brown, and white using gel food coloring.

Use red for the body of the apple, green for the leaf, and brown for the stem.

If you’d like, add a white accent dot to mimic shine and give your apples a more realistic cartoonish look.

Use piping bags fitted with small round tips (like Wilton #2 or #3) for precise outlines and details. Start by outlining each section of the cookie (red apple, green leaf, brown stem), then fill them in using flood icing consistency.

Let each section dry slightly before moving to the next color to avoid bleeding.

Optional: Add a touch of sparkle with edible glitter or sprinkles, or pipe fun back-to-school messages like “A+” or “#1 Teacher.”

Step 5: Let the Icing Set

Allow your decorated cookies to sit out at room temperature for several hours, or overnight if possible.

This ensures the icing hardens completely and won’t smudge when stacked or packed.

Bonus Tips for Success

Use chilled dough: Cold dough holds its shape better while baking, keeping those apple outlines crisp and defined.
Practice piping: If you’re new to cookie decorating, try practicing on parchment paper before working on your cookies.
Flavor twist: Add a touch of cinnamon or apple pie spice to the dough for an extra apple-inspired taste.
Make ahead: Sugar cookies freeze well—store the undecorated cookies in the freezer for up to 3 months and decorate when you’re ready!