apple cinnamon roll cookies

Begin by making the cream cheese filling. Add cream cheese and butter to a bowl and mix for 3-4 minutes (using hand or stand mixer). Add powdered sugar and vanilla and mix for 2 more minutes. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.

Using a small cookie scoop (about 1 tbsp size) scoop the frosting out onto a piece of parchment paper. Once it is all scooped out, transfer it to the freezer to set up while you make the dough. If you want to add a drizzle on top of the cookies at the end, save a few tablespoons of frosting and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. In the bowl of a stand mixer combine butter and brown sugar and mix until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes (you can also use a hand mixer).

Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until just combined. Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt and mix until just combined.

Add cinnamon chips, white chocolate chips, and apple chunks and pulse until everything is evenly distributed in the dough.

Remove the cream cheese frosting from the freezer. It should be quite firm at this point. Using a large cookie scoop (at least 1/4 cup), scoop out the dough then use your finger to create a hole/well in the dough ball. Place one frozen piece of cream cheese frosting in the hole and close the dough around it (so the frosting is in the center of the dough ball).

Place up to 6 dough balls on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until cookie is starting to brown on the outside.

If you are adding a drizzle, add a splash of milk to the reserved cream cheese frosting and whisk. If it is still too thick, add a bit more milk. Once the cookies have cooled slightly, add drizzle the cream cheese frosting on top. Enjoy!