These cookies combine the flavors of apple pie with magic cookies. The cookies need just 4 ingredients. They are crispy, chewy, soft and sweet. They are easy to make and are a fun dessert to eat.
These cookies are an apple pie version of the popular viral magic cookies. Magic cookies contain all the main ingredients used to make traditional 7-layer magic bars but in a very easy cookie form. They are chewy, sweet, and crispy so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
This apple pie version is inspired by magic cookies. It is also sweet, crispy, chewy and soft, but swaps out some of the ingredients to make it taste like the flavors of apple pie.
Ingredients
- Coconut flakes
- Dulce de leche
- Cinnamon Graham crackers
- Apples
Coconut flakes: Make sure to use coconut flakes and not shredded coconut. Shredded coconut is too fine for the recipe. Coconut flakes form the base for this cookie so it does need to be flakes. You also want to use a brand of coconut flakes where the flakes are not too long (about 1/2 inch pieces). There are some brands that make their coconut flakes more like long strands and that won’t work well because you’ll have trouble compacting the strands into a cookie. If your coconut flakes are too long, I recommend breaking them down in the food processor or roughly chopping them until they are smaller pieces.
Dulce de leche: Magic cookies and magic bars are traditionally made with sweetened condensed milk. Instead of sweetened condensed milk, we are using dulce de leche. Dulce de leche is a caramelized milk made from slowly simmering milk and sugar until the milk caramelizes. A shortcut version of making dulce de leche is actually cooking a can of sweetened condensed milk which is why it is the perfect substitute in this recipe. The dulce de leche adds a delicious caramel flavor to the cookies which really helps them taste like apple pie. It also softens the graham cracker pieces so they taste like a graham cracker crust rather than just crispy graham cracker pieces.
Cinnamon graham crackers: A lot of graham crackers are already flavored with cinnamon but I wanted to emphasize on using one that contains cinnamon. Since cinnamon is a flavor often associated with apple pie, I used cinnamon graham crackers to give the cookies some cinnamon flavor. The graham crackers are crumbled into smaller pieces for this recipe. The crackers help absorb the excess moisture released from the apples. They also combine with the dulce de leche to create a soft cookie crust.
Apples: This recipe uses fresh apple pieces. You can use whatever variety of apples you like. You can also use multiple varieties for more flavor. I like using sweet and tart apples for more flavor.
What are Apple Pie Magic Cookies
Magic cookies are an easier version of classic 7-layer magic bars. Instead of having to make all the layers, you just combine all the main ingredients into an easy cookie batter. Magic cookies became a popular viral recipe and I previously shared my 4 ingredient version. These apple pie magic cookies are an apple flavored spin on magic cookies. They keep all the things great about magic cookies but add in apple pie flavors like caramel, cinnamon, apples and crust.
How to Make Apple Magic Cookies
- The coconut flakes, graham cracker pieces and apples are first combined. The dulce de leche is warmed up so that it becomes a thinner consistency and is then poured over the coconut mixture. Use a spatula to stir until everything is coated in dulce de leche.
- Use a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop to pack and scoop the mixture and release it onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten the cookie mixture into thick round disks and then bake the cookies for about 15 minutes.
Taste and Texture
The cookies are crispy on the surface and around the edges and soft and chewy in the middle. The coconut flakes give the cookies a chewy texture. The graham crackers mixed with the dulce de leche give the cookies a soft texture. The apples are also soft. Magic cookies usually also have chocolate chips and nuts but I didn’t feel like they were needed for this version. These cookies really do have all the fun textures in magic cookies but with the flavors of apple pie.
More Magic Recipes
4 Ingredient Apple Pie Magic Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (35 g) chopped apples cut into small pieces, about 1/4 inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp (84g) unsweetened coconut flakes see note before starting
- 2 sheets (31 g) cinnamon graham crackers lightly crumbled to about 1/2 inch pieces
- 6 tbsp (96 g) canned dulce de leche
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add apples, coconut flakes and crackers to a large mixing bowl. Mix with a spatula until evenly combined.
- Add dulce de leche to a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 10 second intervals, stirring in between with a spatula, until the dulce de leche becomes a pourable consistency. It took mine about 20 seconds.
- Pour the dulce de leche over the coconut mixture, doing your best to spread it out as it pours on. Make sure to scrape the sides of the small bowl to get out all of the dulce de leche because some of it will stick to the bowl.
- Use your spatula to evenly mix the dulce de leche into the coconut mixture. It will be a little difficult because the dulce is so sticky and thick but just keep stirring. Stir for about 45-60 seconds until the dry ingredients are evenly coated in dulce de leche.
- Using a 3 tbsp cookie scoop, pack the mixture into the cookie scoop to help it hold together. Release onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining cookie dough, spacing each cookie at least 1.5 inches apart.
- Lightly wet your hands and then compact, flatten and shape the cookie mixture into round disks. The cookies do not spread much during baking so shape the cookies how you want the final outcome to be.
- Bake cookies for about 15-17 minutes or until the tops and edges are dark brown. Allow cookies to cool for a few minutes before eating. Cookies are best enjoyed soon after baking because they become softer when they sit out a while. Uneaten cookies should be stored in the fridge and freezer and can be reheated in oven or a toaster oven to get crispy again.
Notes
- I used Bob's Red Mill unsweetened coconut flakes. You want to use coconut flakes that are about 1/2 inch pieces. There are some brands (such as Let's Do Organic) that make the coconut flakes more like long strands. If you have that kind of coconut flakes, you will want to chop or run them through a food processor until they are smaller. If they are too big, they won't compact well in this recipe and it will cause the cookies to fall apart.
- 1 sheet of graham crackers contains 4 individual crackers. This recipe needs 2 sheets, or a total of 8 crackers. You can also use graham crackers without cinnamon if you don't like cinnamon or you can't find ones with cinnamon. You can add 2 tsp of cinnamon to the cookie mixture if you want cinnamon flavor and are using graham crackers without cinnamon.
- You want your graham cracker pieces to be about 1/2 inch big. They will get further broken down when they mix with the dulce de leche so you don't want them too small to start out.
- Make sure your apple pieces are not too big. You can use whatever apple variety you prefer or use more than one. I will sometimes use just one or sometimes use a mix of a sweet variety (like Cosmic Crisp) and a tart variety (like Granny smith).
- I've also made these with sweetened condensed milk but I found that while they tasted good, they reminded me more of coconut macaroons. The dulce de leche is thicker so it makes these more cookie-like in texture and adds a delicious caramel flavor too.
- Canned dulce de leche is usually found near canned sweetened condensed milk in the grocery store. You can also make dulce de leche with a can of sweetened condensed milk. There are many recipes out there that show how to make it in an Instant Pot or in the oven.
- These cookies are quite rich and sweet. You can make them smaller but you will also need to reduce the bake time.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
