Apple Butter Cookies
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Indulge in fall’s warm, cozy flavors with these apple butter cookies, a delightful fusion of snickerdoodles and sugar cookies. The addition of apple butter brings a unique sweetness and a hint of spice to the dough, making each bite rich in flavor and perfect for the season. With their soft and chewy texture, these cookies are an irresistible autumn treat.
Apple butter is made by slowly cooking apples with apple juice or water until the sugars naturally present in the apples caramelize, giving it that deep brown color and intense flavor. It’s thicker and richer than applesauce, making it the ideal ingredient for adding depth to these cookies.
These soft and spiced apple butter snickerdoodles stay moist for days, making them a seasonal favorite you’ll want to enjoy over and over again. Whether you’re baking them for a gathering or just to enjoy at home, these cookies are sure to capture the essence of fall in every bite.
Ingredients to Make Apple Butter Cookie Recipe
- BUTTER
- APPLE BUTTER
- SUGAR
- EGG
- VANILLA
- CINNAMON
- FLOUR
- BAKING SODA
- CREAM OF TARTAR
How to Make Apple Butter Cookies
Begin by creaming together butter, apple butter, and sugar in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, typically about 2-3 minutes. Then, add in the egg and vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is fully combined and smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and cream of tartar. This step ensures that the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Once the dough is mixed, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling the dough helps the flavors meld together and makes the dough easier to handle when shaping the cookies.
Prepare the Cookies for Baking
After the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into small balls. Roll each dough ball between your hands to form a smooth sphere, then roll it in a cinnamon-sugar mixture to give the cookies their signature sweet and spiced coating.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the rolled cookie dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the cookies are lightly golden and set around the edges. They will fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and fall spices!
Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. These soft, spiced apple butter cookies are perfect with a cup of hot apple cider or your favorite warm beverage. Enjoy the flavors of fall in every bite!
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I store apple butter cookies?
Apple butter cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or you can refrigerate them to keep them fresh for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; just thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Can I add other spices or ingredients to the dough?
Absolutely! You can enhance the flavor by adding spices like nutmeg or cloves. Some people also enjoy adding chopped nuts or raisins for additional texture and flavor.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help the cookies maintain their structure.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Apple Butter Waffles with Cinnamon Syrup
- Apple Butter Monkey Bread
- Easy Apple Butter Pancakes
- Autumn Grilled Ham and Cheese
Apple Butter Cookies
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter room temperature
- ½ cup apple butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
Cinnamon Sugar coating
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a bowl, cream butter, apple butter, and sugar with a hand mixer or stnad mixer on low speed until mostly incorporated. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 1-2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl at least once during creaming.
- Add in egg and vanilla. Mix just until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk the cinnamon, flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar together. Slowly add dry ingredients to the apple butter mixture. Mix until dough forms. Chill for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar.
- Use a cookie scoop to portion out cookies. Roll dough into a ball and roll each ball in cinnamon sugar. The dough will be sticky. Place cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake at 375 degrees for13-15 minutes. Move cookies to wire rack to cool. Makes 2 dozen.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Dixie Sugar Crystals.
