Cozy Apple Butter Cookies Recipe: Homemade Fall Sweetness

Soft, pillowy cookies infused with spiced apple butter create a delightful autumn treat that captures the essence of cozy baking.

These delectable morsels blend sweet apple butter seamlessly into a classic cookie dough.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg dance through each tender bite, promising comfort in every mouthful.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Bakers of all skill levels can master these charming cookies with ease.

Rich, caramelized apple flavors mingle with buttery sweetness, making them perfect for afternoon tea or an after-dinner indulgence.

Dive into this delicious recipe and let the aroma of homemade goodness fill your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 23

What You’ll Need For Apple Butter Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture for classic cookie crumb.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and develop golden edges with perfect lightness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the recipe.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, cozy spice that complements apple butter perfectly.
• Nutmeg: Introduces subtle depth and aromatic warmth to the cookie profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates rich sweetness and helps cookies caramelize beautifully.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and adds delicate aromatic complexity.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to soft, chewy cookie consistency.
• Apple Butter: Infuses deep fruit flavor and provides natural moisture to the dough.

• Sugar, Cinnamon: Adds delightful crispy exterior and extra warmth to finished cookies.

Tools That Make Apple Butter Cookies Easy To Bake

• Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugars to create a light, fluffy base.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients and mixing dough.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients before combining.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheets: Two lined with parchment paper or silicone mats for even baking.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Small bowl: Optional, for mixing cinnamon-sugar topping.
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.

Baking Instructions For Apple Butter Cookies

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen with a cozy 350F setting and line baking sheets with non-stick magic.

• Butter Blending

Whip butter and sugars into a dreamy, fluffy cloud using an electric mixer for maximum softness.

• Wet Ingredient Fusion

Stir in smooth apple butter, a cracked egg, and vanilla extract until everything dances together harmoniously.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Gently combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl, then fold into the wet mixture with a light touch.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll small dough balls and optional roll in a sweet cinnamon sugar bath. Arrange on baking sheets with plenty of breathing room.

• Baking Magic

Slide into the preheated oven and bake until edges turn golden and centers remain slightly tender, about 10-12 minutes.

• Cooling and Serving

Let cookies rest briefly on baking sheets, then transfer to a cooling rack. Drizzle with caramel for an extra luxurious twist if desired.

Tasty Tips To Improve Apple Butter Cookies

• Moisture Mastery: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother cookie dough that blends perfectly without overmixing.
• Spice Symphony: Freshly ground nutmeg and cinnamon will elevate the warm, aromatic flavors of these apple butter cookies dramatically.
• Texture Perfection: Slightly underbake cookies to ensure they remain soft and chewy, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare cookie dough balls and freeze them for up to 3 months, allowing spontaneous fresh-baked cookie moments anytime.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, or use coconut sugar for low-glycemic alternative.

Serve Apple Butter Cookies With Your Favorite Drink

• Cozy Autumn Pairing: Serve these warm, spiced cookies alongside a steaming mug of chai tea or apple cider for a delightful fall experience.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Create a beautiful dessert board with these cookies, adding complementary treats like caramel dip, vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream for elegant entertaining.
• Breakfast Treat Twist: Crumble these cookies over morning yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet breakfast upgrade that brings a touch of comfort and excitement to your morning routine.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Layer cookies in a mason jar with parchment paper between each layer, tie with a ribbon, and create a homemade gift that spreads warmth and deliciousness.

Storage Advice To Keep Apple Butter Cookies Soft

• Smart Cookie Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cookies or entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for quick sweet treats anytime.
• Dough Preparation Hack: Prepare cookie dough balls ahead of time, refrigerate for 24 hours to enhance flavor depth, or freeze unbaked dough for convenient future baking.
• Temperature Trick: Allow frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, maintaining their delightful soft consistency and rich apple butter flavor.

Rustic Apple Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Homemade apple butter cookies deliver comfort from first bite. Warm spices and rich fruit preserve mingle in each delectable treat you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 g) apple butter
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar (for topping)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Workspace Preparation: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for precise cookie placement.
2. Butter Mixture: Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the blend becomes light, fluffy, and pale.
3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Fold in egg, apple butter, and vanilla extract, mixing until the components achieve a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Dry Ingredient Combination: Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of spices and leavening agent.
5. Dough Formation: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring carefully to maintain the dough’s delicate structure and prevent overmixing.
6. Cookie Shaping: Craft uniform dough balls using a tablespoon, optionally rolling them in cinnamon-sugar mixture for enhanced flavor and texture.
7. Baking Process: Arrange dough balls on prepared sheets with two-inch spacing, then bake in a preheated 350F (175C) oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain slightly soft.
8. Cooling Technique: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for five minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and flavor development.
9. Serving Suggestion: Present cookies as a delectable treat, with an optional caramel drizzle for those desiring an extra touch of indulgence.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to maintain a tender, soft cookie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother creaming and better incorporation with sugars, creating a more uniform dough consistency.
• Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Rolling dough balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture adds a delightful crispy exterior and enhances the warm, spiced flavor profile of the cookies.
• Storage Strategy: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain optimal moisture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg