Sinking your teeth into these Apple Butter Cookies is like wrapping yourself in a cozy autumn blanket, no matter the season. Each bite bursts with sweet apple butter flavor and warm spices, making them irresistibly chewy and crinkled on top. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to homemade cookies, this recipe creates cookies so delightful, you’ll wonder where they’ve been all your life.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beautiful simplicity of these Apple Butter Cookies comes from using just a handful of kitchen staples. Every ingredient has a starring role, making each cookie tender, fragrant, and memorable.
- Unsalted Butter (2 tablespoons): Softened to room temperature, butter brings richness and helps create that perfect chewy texture.
- Apple Butter (1/4 cup): The secret ingredient! It infuses every bite with concentrated apple sweetness and depth.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Essential for sweetness and those gorgeous crinkly tops.
- Egg Yolk (1): Just the yolk adds moisture and chew, giving your cookies a tender crumb.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): The reliable backbone that holds everything together without weighing the cookies down.
- Apple Pie Spice (3/4 teaspoon): This seasonal blend of spices brings warmth and a whiff of bakery magic.
- Baking Soda (1/4 teaspoon): Helps your cookies puff and crinkle beautifully as they bake.
- For Rolling – Sugar (1/4 cup) + Apple Pie Spice (1/4 teaspoon): A quick toss in this mix before baking gives the cookies a sparkling, flavorful crust.
How to Make Apple Butter Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter, Apple Butter, and Sugar
Start by combining the softened butter, rich apple butter, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and smooth—about 30 seconds. This step sets the stage for chewy, flavorful Apple Butter Cookies.
Step 2: Add the Egg Yolk
Drop in your egg yolk and beat again until everything is fully mixed. Don’t rush this part; the yolk adds richness and ensures your dough comes together smoothly, creating that perfect texture we all crave in Apple Butter Cookies.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour, apple pie spice, and baking soda evenly over your wet ingredients. Use the mixer on low just until the dough starts to come together. If it’s a little crumbly at first, keep beating—everything will unite in a soft, slightly sticky mass.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate your dough for 30 minutes. This gives the flour time to hydrate and makes the dough easier to handle. While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 375°F so it’s ready for the next step.
Step 5: Shape and Roll in Spiced Sugar
Once chilled, divide the dough into 12 tablespoon-sized balls. Mix together your extra sugar and apple pie spice in a small bowl. Roll each dough ball in the spiced sugar mixture until it’s completely coated, then space them evenly on your baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for precisely 13 minutes. When done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—this lets them finish baking and firm up a bit. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely, if you can resist! These Apple Butter Cookies are ready to devour.
How to Serve Apple Butter Cookies
Garnishes
For an elegant touch, lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or a touch more apple pie spice. You can also drizzle with a thin glaze made of powdered sugar and apple cider for extra sparkle and a sweet tang that complements the apple butter beautifully.
Side Dishes
Apple Butter Cookies pair wonderfully with a steaming mug of chai, hot apple cider, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For an afternoon get-together, a fruit and cheese platter or a pot of spiced tea alongside these cookies is sure to impress.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a clear jar and tie it with a ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift. Arrange them on a rustic wooden board with slices of fresh apple and cinnamon sticks. Or, create ice cream sandwiches by gently pressing a scoop of ice cream between two cookies—apple pie à la mode, cookie-style!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Apple Butter Cookies soft and chewy by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days—if they last that long! Place a slice of bread in the container to maintain just the right level of moisture.
Freezing
Both the baked cookies and the raw dough freeze beautifully. For best results, scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to two months. Baked cookies can be frozen in layers with parchment paper between them. Let everything come to room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, a few seconds in the microwave softens them up nicely, but the oven best preserves their signature crinkle and texture.
FAQs
Can I use homemade apple butter instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade apple butter brings even richer flavor to your Apple Butter Cookies. Just make sure it’s thick and not watery for the best results.
What if I don’t have apple pie spice?
No problem! You can create your own blend with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of allspice, ginger, or cardamom. Mix and match to suit your taste and make your Apple Butter Cookies unique.
Can I double the recipe for a bigger batch?
Yes, this recipe doubles beautifully. Just be sure to refrigerate the dough as directed, and you’ll have plenty of cookies for sharing—or not!
Why do my Apple Butter Cookies come out dry?
If your cookies are a bit dry, double-check your measurements and be sure your apple butter is thick and luscious. Also, take care not to overbake them, as even a minute too long in the oven can dry them out.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just ensure your apple butter and other ingredients are certified gluten-free if you have concerns about cross-contamination.
Final Thoughts
It’s truly amazing how a simple batch of Apple Butter Cookies can bring so much joy and comfort. I hope you’ll gather these simple ingredients, jump in, and discover just how special homemade cookies can be. Share them with loved ones, or savor them all by yourself—either way, they’re guaranteed to brighten your day.
Print
Apple Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the chewy, sweet goodness of these crinkled apple butter cookies, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) jarred apple butter
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
For Rolling:
- 1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice + 1/4 cup (60 grams) sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the room temperature butter, apple butter, and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer on high speed to beat the mixture until well combined. Add the egg yolk and beat again.
- Add the dry ingredients. Sprinkle the flour, apple pie spice, and baking soda over the mixture. Use the electric mixer on low speed to combine the ingredients. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
- Preheat and shape the cookies. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Divide the dough into 12 tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball in the apple pie spiced sugar mixture.
- Bake and cool. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and bake for 13 minutes. Let the cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Unsalted butter should be softened to room temperature for best results.
- Use store-bought or homemade apple butter, ensuring it is rich and thick.
- For the apple pie spice, choose a blend that appeals to your taste, typically including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and possibly ginger or cardamom.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
