Name: Apple Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup apple butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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If you’re searching for a cookie recipe that feels like a warm hug and tastes like a cozy autumn afternoon, these Apple Butter Cookies are an absolute must-bake! Each bite brings together tender, cake-like texture with a perfect balance of sweet apple, spices, and a hint of nostalgia. You’ll love pulling a tray of these from the oven and filling your kitchen with the irresistible scent of cinnamon and apples—these little treats are destined to become your new seasonal (or year-round!) favorite.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Apple Butter Cookies lies in their simplicity. Every ingredient brings something special to the table, from the creamy butter to the spiced apple butter, creating cookies that are rich, soft, and full of personality.

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): The backbone of any good cookie, it adds creamy richness and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Provides sweetness and ensures the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Packed brown sugar (1/4 cup): Lends a hint of caramel flavor and helps the cookies stay moist.
Large egg (1): Acts as the binder, giving structure and richness to the dough.
Apple butter (1/2 cup): The star ingredient, infusing these cookies with cozy apple flavor and keeping them deliciously soft.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle warmth and enhances all the other flavors.
All-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups): Forms the base and keeps the cookies sturdy but tender.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works with the baking powder to give just the right amount of lift.
Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Ensures these cookies stay light and subtly cake-like.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances out the sweetness and makes the other flavors pop.
Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Brings classic fall spice to every bite, perfectly pairing with apple butter.
Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): Adds an earthy, aromatic note that deepens the cookie’s flavor profile.

How to Make Apple Butter Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s hot and ready when your dough is done. Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper—this not only prevents sticking but also makes cleanup a total breeze.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like—this step sets the stage for supremely tender Apple Butter Cookies!

Step 3: Add Egg, Apple Butter, and Vanilla

Next, add the large egg to your creamed mixture and beat until just combined. Pour in that rich, spiced apple butter and the teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend until everything’s smooth and evenly mixed—you’ll absolutely love the way this smells already.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. This ensures all the leaveners and spices are distributed evenly, so every cookie bakes up perfectly soft and fragrant.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently (a spatula does the job nicely) until just combined. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. This keeps your Apple Butter Cookies beautifully soft and tender.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. These spread a little as they bake, so give them room to breathe!

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Slide your trays into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You want the edges set but the centers to look slightly soft; that’s the secret to moist, melt-in-your-mouth Apple Butter Cookies. Let them cool on the pan for about five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling—if you can resist sampling one right away, you have impressive willpower!

How to Serve Apple Butter Cookies

Garnishes

For a little extra flair, try drizzling your Apple Butter Cookies with a simple maple glaze or dusting them with a light shower of cinnamon sugar while still warm. If you’re feeling indulgent, a sprinkle of toasted chopped pecans brings delightful crunch and nutty depth.

Side Dishes

These cookies are stunning alongside a hot cup of spiced chai, mulled cider, or a creamy latte. For a cozy dessert platter, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of fresh whipped cream—pure comfort on a plate!

Creative Ways to Present

Serve stacked high on a rustic cake stand or arrange in a circle on a wooden board for that homestyle bakery feel. Pack a stack of Apple Butter Cookies in a cute tin or clear bag tied with a ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift—you’ll definitely make someone’s day brighter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, pop your cookies into an airtight container; they’ll stay soft and flavorful at room temperature for up to four days. To keep them extra moist, tuck a slice of fresh apple or bread into the container (just remember to check it every day to prevent any mold).

Freezing

Apple Butter Cookies freeze like champs! Arrange them in a single layer on a tray, freeze until solid, then store in zip-top freezer bags or airtight containers for up to three months. Feeling extra organized? Freeze the dough balls unbaked, then bake straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

If you love your cookies warm, a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave revives them perfectly, making the centers soft and gooey—almost as if they just came from the oven. Frozen cookies can go straight into a low oven (300°F) for 5-7 minutes to refresh!

FAQs

Can I use homemade apple butter instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade apple butter brings a fresh, vibrant apple flavor and lets you control the sweetness and spice level. Just make sure it’s nice and thick so the cookies don’t turn out overly soft.

Do Apple Butter Cookies need to be refrigerated?

Nope, they’re happy at room temperature for several days as long as you keep them in an airtight container. If your kitchen is especially warm or humid, a short stint in the fridge can help them last longer.

Are there any nut-free variations?

Definitely! The basic recipe is already nut-free, but you can always skip nutty garnishes like pecans. You can even add sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch, as both are fantastic in these cookies.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! This recipe doubles (or even triples) beautifully. It’s a fun way to bake extra for gatherings or to freeze ahead for future cravings. Just use a larger bowl and bake in batches for best results.

How can I make Apple Butter Cookies gluten-free?

Swap in a good-quality all-purpose gluten-free flour blend for the regular flour, and make sure your baking powder is gluten-free. The cookies may be slightly more delicate, but still moist and flavorful—just what you want!

Final Thoughts

Every batch of Apple Butter Cookies feels like a celebration of simpler times, filled with nostalgia and seasonal joy. I truly hope you’ll give these cookies a try—share them with friends, tuck them into lunchboxes, or keep a few just for yourself. Trust me, once you catch that warm waft of cinnamon-spiced apple in your kitchen, you’ll find every excuse to bake them again and again!

Apple Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delight your taste buds with these soft and spiced Apple Butter Cookies. Made with a blend of warm autumn spices and sweet apple butter, these cookies are perfect for fall gatherings or as a cozy treat with a cup of tea.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup apple butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, then mix in the apple butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Bake: Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft.
Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.