Apple Shaped Sugar Cookies
Classic buttery shortbread sugar cookies decorated with red royal icing and mint leaf stems.
In a nutshell: This authentic american apple shaped sugar cookies comes together in just 37 mins using simple whole ingredients. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
Tender cut-out butter sugar cookies shaped like bright red apples. Perfect for school snacks, fall bake sales, and teacher appreciation gifts.
Key Equipment
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Chef's Pro-Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at true room temperature (around 68°F / 20°C) so the emulsion creams evenly without curdling.
- Do Not Overmix the Flour: Fold the dry ingredients just until no white streaks remain. Overworking gluten leads to dense, tough baked goods instead of tender, chewy crumbs.
- Cool Completely on Wire Rack: Baked bars and cookies continue setting internally from residual heat. Let them rest in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Ingredients
24
servings
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg, room temperature
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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2 tsp baking powder
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2 cups red royal icing, for decorating
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Make Dough & Chill
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually mix in flour and baking powder. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
Cut & Bake
Roll dough 1/4-inch thick. Cut with apple cookie cutters. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until edges are light golden.
Ice & Serve
Allow cookies to cool completely. Outline and flood with glossy red royal icing. Add chocolate stem and green leaf detail.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
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Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
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Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
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Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
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Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
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Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
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Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Chilling firms up the butter so the cookies hold their apple shape in the oven instead of spreading into blobs.
Yes. Bake the undecorated cookies up to a week ahead and store airtight, then decorate with royal icing the day before serving.
Let the royal icing set completely (several hours), then store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.
You can, but it won't set hard or give you that smooth, glossy finish. Royal icing is what makes the apple design look crisp and polished.
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