If you’re a fan of cozy fall flavors and cookies with a soft, chewy texture, then these Apple Butter Cookies are about to become your new favorite treat. These cookies are the perfect blend of warm spices, sweet apple butter, and buttery goodness. They’re easy to make, have a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and bring that nostalgic taste of autumn in every bite. Whether you’re making them for a party, gifting them, or simply enjoying them with a cup of tea or coffee, these cookies will fill your home with the warm aroma of cinnamon and apples.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup apple butter (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Optional Topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for rolling)
Optional Glaze (if you want extra sweetness):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple butter
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (to thin the glaze)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
- Beat in the egg, apple butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture may look slightly wet but will come together once the dry ingredients are added.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure soft cookies.
Step 5: Optional Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- If desired, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Then roll the dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly puffed. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Optional Glaze
- If you’d like to add a glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple butter, and milk in a small bowl until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Let the glaze set before serving.
Tips
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and egg are at room temperature to help the dough come together smoothly.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center when you take them out of the oven. This ensures a soft, chewy texture once cooled.
- Homemade Apple Butter: If you have homemade apple butter, it will add an extra layer of flavor, but store-bought works perfectly too.
- Adjust Spices: Feel free to add more cinnamon or nutmeg to suit your taste preferences.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough feels too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes before rolling it into balls.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Refrigeration: If glazed, store the cookies in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze the unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Variations
- Apple Crumble Cookies: Add ½ cup of rolled oats and ¼ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a hearty texture.
- Caramel Apple Cookies: Drizzle the cookies with caramel sauce or fold caramel bits into the dough for an extra sweet twist.
- Spiced-Up Version: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to enhance the warm spice flavor.
- Chocolate Lovers: Mix in white chocolate chips or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cookies.
- Frosted Apple Butter Cookies: Skip the glaze and frost the cookies with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting for a dessert-like treat.
Nutrition Details (Per Cookie, Based on 24 Cookies)
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
FAQ
1. What is apple butter?
Apple butter is a thick, concentrated apple spread made by cooking apples with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It has a rich, caramelized flavor and a smooth texture, making it perfect for baking.
2. Can I make these cookies without cinnamon sugar or glaze?
Yes! These cookies are delicious on their own. The cinnamon-sugar coating and glaze are optional but add an extra layer of flavor and sweetness.
3. Can I substitute apple butter with applesauce?
While applesauce has a thinner consistency and less concentrated flavor than apple butter, it can be used as a substitute. However, the cookies may be less flavorful and slightly wetter.
4. What’s the best way to ensure the cookies stay soft?
Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will help keep the cookies moist and soft.
5. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, but the cookies will have a slightly denser texture. You can also try using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour for a balance of flavor and texture.
