If you’re on the lookout for a cozy, irresistibly delicious treat, this Apple Butter Cookies Recipe is going to become your new favorite. These soft, buttery cookies pack the warm, spiced essence of apple butter into every single bite, creating a perfect balance of sweet and slightly tangy flavors that feel like a hug from the inside. Whether you’re baking for a lazy afternoon snack or a festive holiday gathering, these cookies offer a wonderful twist on a classic that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Butter Cookies Recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to give you that perfect texture and a flavor that sings with notes of cinnamon and apples. Each ingredient plays a vital role in crafting tender cookies with just the right amount of spice and sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing structure and chewiness.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft, tender crumb.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements the apple flavor perfectly.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
- Unsalted butter, softened: For richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Brown sugar, packed: Brings moisture and a deep caramel flavor to the cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a touch of crispness and balances the sweetness.
- Large egg: Binds everything together while adding richness.
- Apple butter: The star of the show, infusing the cookies with intense apple flavor and natural sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds a gentle floral note.
How to Make Apple Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies won’t stick and cook evenly, setting the stage for perfect baking results.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender cookie, giving it that soft, melt-away texture we’re aiming for.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, apple butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The apple butter adds a beautiful moisture and a burst of flavor, making these cookies truly special.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually fold this mixture into the wet ingredients to form the cookie dough, being careful not to overmix so the cookies stay soft and tender.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the cookies are set. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Apple Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top before baking for an extra hint of spice and a sparkling finish. You can also add a light drizzle of caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar once they’ve cooled to elevate their look and taste even more.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea or a frothy mug of hot apple cider. For a decadent twist, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert that feels like autumn on a plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Create a cookie platter by stacking these Apple Butter Cookies with other autumn-inspired treats such as spiced nuts and dried fruits. Wrap a stack with a rustic ribbon and a cinnamon stick as a charming gift idea for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to five days, making them an easy go-to treat throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead of time, these cookies freeze wonderfully. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep for up to three months, ready to enjoy whenever a craving hits.
Reheating
To bring back that warm, homemade feel, gently reheat cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes or microwave for about 10 seconds. This reheating step refreshes the texture and aroma, making them taste freshly baked again.
FAQs
Can I use regular applesauce instead of apple butter?
While applesauce is a close substitute, apple butter gives a much richer, spiced flavor and denser texture that really defines this recipe. If you must swap, consider reducing other sugars to balance the sweetness.
What makes these Apple Butter Cookies soft instead of crunchy?
The combination of brown sugar and apple butter adds moisture, while baking soda provides a gentle rise, resulting in a tender, soft bite rather than a crispy one.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the dough?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans, as well as plump raisins, make fantastic additions that provide extra texture and a delightful contrast to the soft cookie.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for golden edges and set centers. The cookies may seem slightly soft when you take them out, but they will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Is it necessary to use parchment paper for baking?
Using parchment paper is highly recommended to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier, but a well-greased baking sheet can work in a pinch.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Butter Cookies Recipe is a delightful way to bring cozy, autumn-inspired flavors into your kitchen any time of the year. Soft, spiced, and wonderfully aromatic, these cookies will quickly become a crowd favorite. I can’t wait for you to try baking them and experience that warm, homey joy that only freshly baked cookies can bring!
Print
Apple Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft and flavorful Apple Butter Cookies, which combine the warm spices of cinnamon with the rich sweetness of apple butter. Perfectly tender with a subtle fruity twist, these cookies make a comforting treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup apple butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter together with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, then mix in the apple butter and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading while baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden and the centers are set.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened at room temperature to facilitate better creaming with the sugars.
- Use fresh apple butter for the best flavor and moisture in the cookies.
- Spacing the dough balls evenly prevents the cookies from merging into each other during baking.
- For a spice variation, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves along with the cinnamon.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
