Apple Butter Cookies are soft and chewy treats packed with cozy flavors! Made with sweet apple butter, they have a nice spicy kick from cinnamon and nutmeg.
These cookies are perfect for any autumn day. I love how easy they are to whip up. Just mix, scoop, and bake—what’s better than that? 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apple Butter: This ingredient gives the cookies their moist texture and delicious flavor. If you don’t have apple butter, you can mash unsweetened applesauce with a bit of sugar and cinnamon as a substitute.
Unsalted Butter: I like to use unsalted butter for better control over the overall flavor. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt to 1/4 tsp.
Granulated Sugar: While granulated sugar provides the cookies’ sweetness, you can use brown sugar instead for a deeper, richer flavor. It also adds moisture!
Flour: All-purpose flour works great here, but if you’re gluten-free, a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend will work well too.
What’s the Best Way to Ensure Soft Cookies?
To keep your cookies soft, make sure you don’t overbake them. They should look slightly underbaked when you take them out. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool. Also, allow them to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack to retain their moisture.
- Pay attention to the baking time; begin checking around the 10-minute mark.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container helps maintain their soft texture for days.
How to Make Apple Butter Cookies
Ingredients List:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (270 g) apple butter
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Optional for Topping:
- Additional apple butter for drizzling or decorating
Time Needed:
This delicious recipe will take you about 15 minutes to prepare, plus an additional 10-12 minutes for baking. Including cooling time, expect around 30 minutes total before you can enjoy these lovely cookies!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier!
2. Cream Together the Butters:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and the apple butter. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon to beat them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will help your cookies to have a nice texture.
3. Mix in Sugar and Egg:
Add the granulated sugar and the large egg to the butter mixture. Continue beating until everything is well combined and fluffy. This is where the magic starts to happen!
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and spices in your cookies.
5. Combine Mixtures:
Carefully add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir just until it’s combined, being careful not to over-mix. This will keep your cookies tender!
6. Shape the Cookies:
Using a tablespoon, scoop generous portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Roll each ball in granulated sugar to give them a lovely sparkle and sweetness on the outside.
7. Place on Baking Sheets:
Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. They will spread a little while baking.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Put the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges look set and the tops look lightly cracked. They should remain soft in the center.
9. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. After that, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Add the Finishing Touch:
If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle a little extra apple butter on top of the cooled cookies for extra flavor and a delightful presentation.
Enjoy these soft, spiced apple butter cookies with a hot cup of tea or coffee, perfect for warming your day!
Can I Use Store-Bought Apple Butter?
Absolutely! Store-bought apple butter works perfectly in this recipe and saves you time. Just make sure it’s a high-quality brand for the best flavor.
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough! Scoop the balls onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
What to Do if the Dough is Too Sticky?
If your dough feels too sticky to handle, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s manageable. Just be careful not to overdo it, or the cookies might turn out dry!
Can I Replace the Granulated Sugar with Brown Sugar?
Yes! Using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar will add a deeper flavor and extra moisture to the cookies. If you do this, your cookies may also turn out a bit chewier!