Apple Crisp Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 -8 tablespoons water
• 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
• 1/2 cup almonds or 1/2 cup pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Line at least three cookie sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 cup packed light brown sugar until well blended. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
4. In another bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats, 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with 6 to 8 tablespoons of water, stirring with a spoon. Mix well after each addition; the mixture will be crumbly but should hold together when shaped into a ball. Add more water if necessary.
6. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.
7. Shape the remaining dough into 1-inch balls, placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie to about 1/8 inch thickness using the bottom of a floured glass, smoothing the edges as you go.
8. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the edges are light brown and the cookies are firm to the touch. Be careful not to overbake.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes.
10. For the topping, place 1 teaspoon of apple pie filling in the center of each cookie, spreading it carefully to cover.
11. In a small bowl, combine the reserved 1 cup of crumbs and 1/2 cup of almonds or pecans, tossing to blend. Sprinkle the mixture over the filling on each cookie.
12. Return the cookies to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the topping is light brown. Again, avoid overbaking.
13. Let the cookies cool for 2 minutes on the sheets before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar before serving.