Quick & Chewy Apple Butter Cookies Recipe – Sweet Fall Treats

Warm, spicy apple butter cookies bring a cozy autumn charm to your kitchen.

Soft and pillowy, these treats capture the essence of harvest season.

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and baked fruit will drift through your home, promising delectable moments ahead.

Memories of grandmother’s baking stations emerge with each crumbly, tender bite.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly into a nostalgic dessert that feels both comforting and exciting.

Crisp edges and delicate centers make these cookies irresistible for afternoon tea or midnight snacking.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom across faces eager to savor these delightful morsels.

Apple Butter Cookies That Taste Like Fall In A Bite

• Quick Seasonal Delight: Capture autumn's warmth with these soft, spiced cookies that bring cozy kitchen vibes right to your plate.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Master this foolproof recipe with simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, perfect for novice bakers wanting delicious results.
• Time-Efficient Treat: Whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making them an ideal last-minute dessert for unexpected guests or sweet cravings.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with comforting apple butter and warming spices, these cookies appeal to both kids and adults, creating sweet moments of shared enjoyment.

Apple Butter Cookie Mix

• Butter: Rich base that adds creamy texture and helps cookies spread perfectly.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetness providers with depth and caramel notes.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure to the cookie.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
• Apple Butter: Signature ingredient adding moisture and intense apple flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structure and bulk for the cookie.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement apple butter's profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet drizzle.
• Milk: Helps achieve perfect glaze consistency.
• Cinnamon: Additional warm spice for finishing touch.

Apple Butter Cookies Baking Directions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy.

Step 3: Add Moisture Ingredients

Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until smooth and well blended.

Mix in the apple butter until fully integrated.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix the dough.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Dough

Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets.

Space cookies approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for set edges and slightly soft centers as indicators of doneness.

Step 8: Cool and Rest Cookies

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Create Cinnamon Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and a pinch of cinnamon.

Drizzle the glaze over completely cooled cookies for a sweet finishing touch.

Cookie Tips For Better Apple Butter Flavor

• Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined to keep cookies tender and soft, avoiding tough, dense results.
• Use exact measurements of apple butter to maintain the perfect moisture and flavor balance in your cookies.
• Space cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to allow proper air circulation and prevent them from running together during baking.
• Adjust the powdered sugar glaze by adding more milk for a thinner drizzle or more sugar for a thicker, more opaque topping.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like ginger or cardamom to complement the cinnamon and nutmeg for a more complex flavor.

Apple Butter Cookies That Keep Chewy and Sweet

• Store cookies in an airtight container layered between parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze flat for maximum 3 months. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Remove cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture and flavor.
• Warm cookies slightly in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture and enhance the apple butter aroma.

Flavorful Picks For Apple Butter Cookies

• Sip Spiced Cider: Warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks perfectly complements the cookie's apple and spice notes, creating a cozy autumn drinking experience.
• Pair with Caramel Cream: Smooth caramel-flavored cream or latte enhances the cookie's sweet butterscotch undertones and provides a luxurious creamy contrast.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Chilled vanilla ice cream balances the warm spices, adding a cool, rich dimension that elevates the cookie's flavor profile.
• Enjoy with Maple Chai Tea: Fragrant chai tea with maple undertones mirrors the cookie's warm spices and apple essence, delivering a harmonious taste sensation.

Butter Cookie Flavor Combos

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to make these cookies safe for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Version: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and select a plant-based apple butter to create a dairy-free and egg-free cookie.
• Spice Lover's Adaptation: Increase cinnamon and nutmeg quantities, or add ground ginger and cardamom for a more intense and warming flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Reduce granulated and brown sugar amounts, substitute with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use a low-sugar apple butter to create a more diabetic-friendly treat.

FAQs

• What gives these cookies their unique flavor?

The apple butter adds a rich, concentrated apple taste and provides natural sweetness with a hint of warm spices like cinnamon, making these cookies deeply flavorful.

• Can I use store-bought or homemade apple butter?

Both work perfectly! Homemade apple butter will offer a more personalized flavor, while store-bought ensures consistent texture and convenience.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for slightly golden edges and soft centers. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so don’t overbake them. They should look slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven.

• Is it necessary to add the glaze?

The glaze is optional but recommended. It adds an extra layer of sweetness and creates a beautiful finished look to the cookies, enhancing their overall appearance and taste.

Apple Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Spiced apple butter cookies bring warmth from grandma’s kitchen straight to your plate. Buttery, sweet, and infused with classic fall flavors, these treats invite you to savor a delightful moment of comfort and nostalgia.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) apple butter

Sugars and Binding Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (110 g) packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even spacing for optimal cookie placement.
2. Cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale in color.
3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Fold in the apple butter, stirring thoroughly to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the dough.
5. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, whisking to eliminate any potential lumps.
6. Slowly integrate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently folding until just combined, taking care not to overmix the dough.
7. Utilize a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for set edges and slightly soft centers, which indicate perfect doneness.
9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize their structure, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
10. Create a delicate glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and a hint of cinnamon, then elegantly drizzle over the cooled cookies for a sophisticated finishing touch.

Notes

• Swap apple butter with pumpkin puree for a seasonal twist that transforms the cookies into a fall-inspired treat.
• Experiment with different spices like cardamom or ginger to enhance the warm, comforting flavor profile of the cookies.
• For gluten-free options, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the soft, tender texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, more structured cookies with deeper caramelized edges.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg