Apple Pie Cookies

Apple Pie Cookies

DOUGH
1/2 cup and 2 tbsp sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cup cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)
1/4 tsp pie spice

FILLING
2/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp lemon zest
3 or 4 smaller green apples
3/8 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp flour
1 Cup Apple Cider or Juice for syrup

Grate or *finely* dice apples and mix them thoroughly with the lemon juice, cinnamon, flour, and lemon zest. Set aside in refrigerator.

Stir butter and sugar together over low heat till the mixture melts together and bubbles thoroughly; you want a light caramel. Remove from heat and stir in apple syrup and the refrigerated apple mixture. Cool the filling a bit before using.

Apple syrup: reduce 1 cup apple juice or cider (cider is preferable) to 2 to 3 tbsp of liquid over low heat. Watch it carefully, lest it burn. Apple brandy can be substituted, but the amount of sugar has to be increased to 1 cup less 2 tablespoons, maybe a bit more if the apples are very tart.

Assembly: When I make these I roll the dough thickish (1/6 to 1/4 inch) and go scantily on the filling; this filling may well make a double recipe of cookies relative to this crust.

Once assembled, bake these at 350 degrees until golden brown and pastry-set. That took 10 minutes for 2-inch-long ones.