I was charmed by this Apple Butter cookie creation. Picture mixing creamy unsalted butter with sugary granulated sugar, lightly spiced with a dash of cinnamon and enriched with apple butter to form a dough. I couldn’t wait to share this twist on a classic Homemade Apple Butter delight with you.
I recently cooked up a twist on my favorite cookie recipes that I just have to share. I mixed the classic flavors of snickerdoodles and sugar cookies to create these soft and chewy Apple Butter Cookies.
I started with 1 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar, then blended in 1/2 cup apple butter (whether you’re using store bought or homemade really works). After adding a large egg and a teaspoon of vanilla extract, I stirred in 2 cups all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon along with 2 extra teaspoons to dust on top.
Every bite offers a satisfying crunch from the cinnamon sugar crust while the cookie itself stays perfectly tender. I’ve experimented with butter cookies recipes before but this is something totally new, especially if you love a fall baking flair and yummy cookie desserts.
Enjoy making this fun treat!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I love how the apple butter gives these cookies a unique twist that means they’re not like your regular sugar cookies. It adds a little fruity sweetness that you just don’t see every day. Second, I really dig the texture; the cookies are soft and chewy but the cinnamon sugar topping gives them a great little crunch on the outside sometimes. Also, I enjoy that its a mash-up of snickerdoodles and sugar cookies, so it kind of feels like im getting two treats in one. Finally, I appreciate how simple this recipe is – even when im in a rush or mess up a bit, it still turns out really tasty and comforting.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter not only brings richness but also makes cookies super moist and tender.
- Granulated sugar gives ’em a sweet taste, raising energy while adding a crispy finish.
- Apple butter intensifies flavor with natural apple taste, a bit of fiber and spice.
- The egg helps bind the mix while adding protein and a soft crumb.
- All purpose flour forms the structure even though it’s a basic carbohydrate with little nutritional punch.
- Cinnamon sparks a warm, spicy kick making each bite awesome and full flavored.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus a little extra for rolling
- 1/2 cup apple butter (either store bought or homemade)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus 2 teaspoons more for the cinnamon sugar topping
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup apple butter until the mixture is smooth.
3. Beat in the egg and the teaspoon of vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
5. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients slowly until no streaks of flour remain.
6. Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so its easier to roll.
7. Once chilled, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, then roll each ball in some extra granulated sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
8. Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are set and the edges just start to turn a little golden.
10. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy your soft chewy Apple Butter Cookies!
Equipment Needed
1. A fully preheated oven set to 350°F
2. A baking sheet and parchment paper to line it
3. Two mixing bowls—a large one for the wet ingredients and a smaller one for the dry ingredients
4. An electric or hand mixer to cream the butter, sugar, and apple butter, though you can use a sturdy wooden spoon if needed
5. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure out all ingredients
6. A spatula or wooden spoon for stirring the dough
7. A tablespoon measure or cookie scoop to portion out the dough balls
8. A wire rack where the cookies can cool after baking
FAQ
Apple Butter Cookie Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Unsalted butter – If you only got salted butter, just cut back on the extra salt in the recipe.
- Granulated sugar – You can swap this for brown sugar or coconut sugar; keep in mind it might change the flavor and color a bit.
- Apple butter – You could use unsweetened applesauce instead, but be sure to add a bit more cinnamon to keep the spice level.
- Egg – For a vegan tweak, try a flax egg (mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water and let it sit for a few minutes) instead of a regular egg.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you chill the dough really well; even if it seems stiff, a longer chill helps it keep its shape when you roll the balls.
2. Keep a close watch on your oven – since every oven’s different, check a minute or two earlier if the cookies look like they’re setting too fast.
3. When mixing the dry ingredients into the wet, do it slowly so you dont over mix the dough; this keeps the cookies soft and chewy.
4. For a little extra kick, try sprinkling a tiny pinch of nutmeg into the dough; it pairs great with the apple butter and cinnamon.
Apple Butter Cookie Recipe
My favorite Apple Butter Cookie Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. A fully preheated oven set to 350°F
2. A baking sheet and parchment paper to line it
3. Two mixing bowls—a large one for the wet ingredients and a smaller one for the dry ingredients
4. An electric or hand mixer to cream the butter, sugar, and apple butter, though you can use a sturdy wooden spoon if needed
5. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure out all ingredients
6. A spatula or wooden spoon for stirring the dough
7. A tablespoon measure or cookie scoop to portion out the dough balls
8. A wire rack where the cookies can cool after baking
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus a little extra for rolling
- 1/2 cup apple butter (either store bought or homemade)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus 2 teaspoons more for the cinnamon sugar topping
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup apple butter until the mixture is smooth.
3. Beat in the egg and the teaspoon of vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
5. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients slowly until no streaks of flour remain.
6. Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so its easier to roll.
7. Once chilled, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, then roll each ball in some extra granulated sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
8. Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are set and the edges just start to turn a little golden.
10. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy your soft chewy Apple Butter Cookies!
