Do apples conjure up images of Halloween apple bobbing? Remembrances of blushing as deep red as the apple you presented to your first grade teacher? Or does Apple simply signify the name of a computer company? In the comments section, please share your favorite apple associations and memories.

Mine is buying Fuji apples after school in Japan at a mom-and-pop fruit store. As I walked to the train station, that first bite revealed a bright white fruit. Sometimes I'd discover that a thread of golden honey had been injected into the middle of the apple. Even without the delightful surprise inside, the crunchy treat made the thought of homework or a hard day at school disappear.

A Fuji apple cookie decorated with a drizzle of maple syrup glaze.

Apparently I am not the only apple fan in the food blogosphere. Laura of The Spiced Life and Rebecka of At Home with Rebecka, co-captains of the Creative Cookie Exchange announced that apples are the star ingredients this month. (Please scroll down for your invite to join the group.)

Drizzled with maple syrup glaze, Fuji apple cookies are my contribution. Inside the cookie, fresh bits of fruit snuggle with yummy vanilla almond granola. This treat might even be legal for breakfast! But the cookies are also partner very well with buttery Bourbon ice cream. As well as matcha green tea ice cream and s'more ice cream...Well, you decide if the Fuji apple cookies are meant for breakfast, dessert or snacking.

Fuji apple cookies and Bourbon ice cream

Fuji Apple Cookies with Maple Syrup Glaze

Bits of finely chopped Fuji apple snuggle with brown sugar and vanilla almond granola. A drizzle of maple syrup glaze provides the perfect garnish. Breakfast, dessert or snack? You decide.

Ingredients:

For the cookies:

1½ cups brown sugar, packed
½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup coconut milk
1 egg
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
1½ cups diced Fuji apples
1 cup vanilla almond granola

For the glaze:

¾ cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons apple juice
5 teaspoons maple syrup

Directions:

For the cookies:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the brown sugar and butter for 5 minutes.
Add the milk and egg. Combine well.
In a separate clean bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, spice and salt.
Gradually add to the butter, milk, egg mix.
Stir in the apple bits and granola.
When thoroughly combined, with a mini (1 teaspoon) ice cream scooper, drop the dough onto the cookie sheets.
Bake for 12 to 13 minutes to a golden brown.
When the cookies are cooled, drizzle glaze over the yummy treats.

For the glaze:
Whisk together the powdered sugar, apple juice and maple syrup. Drizzle over the cookies with a fork.

Here are a few more creative apple cookie recipes:

Love to have you join the Creative Cookie Exchange! Here's the how-to:

1. Write a blog post with recipe and original photo (please include some language here specific to that month's theme). We would like the recipe to be one you’re making for the first time, and photos must be original.
2. Post the Cookie Exchange badge somewhere on your blog so others can join in the fun:

3. Make a good faith effort to visit and comment on the other cookies in the Linky party. We all love cookies so that should be easy!
4. LIKE the Creative Cookie Exchange Facebook Page
5. FOLLOW the Creative Cookie Exchange Pinterest Board
6. LINK your blog post below using the Linky tool

Promising bites of sweet perfection, a Fuji apple beckons.

Wishing you crisp autumn apple days filled with honey-sweetness.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

Fuji apple cookie

Creative Cookie Exchange

maple syrup glaze

recipes

The Ninja Baker - Fuji apple cookie

Fuji Apple Cookies, #Creative Cookie Exchange

Fuji Apple Cookies with Maple Syrup Glaze