These Apple Butter Cookies are soft, spicy, and bursting with flavor. Sweetened with delicious apple butter, they’re great for any time of the year, especially fall!
You’ll love how easy they are to whip up! I like to enjoy them with a cozy cup of tea or coffee. These cookies are perfect for sharing (or keeping to yourself!). 🍏☕
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apple Butter: It’s the star of this recipe, providing moisture and flavor. If you don’t have apple butter, you can use mashed apples or even pumpkin puree for a unique twist. Just make sure to adjust sweeteners accordingly.
Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves create a warm, cozy flavor. If you’re not a fan of cloves, you can skip it or replace it with allspice. A pumpkin spice blend could also work nicely!
Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred to control salt levels. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, use coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute. Just ensure it’s softened for easy mixing.
How to Make Sure Your Cookies are Soft and Chewy?
Soft and chewy cookies are all about mixing and baking times. Don’t overmix the dough once you add the dry ingredients, as this can lead to tougher cookies. Here’s how to keep them perfect:
- Don’t bake them too long! Keep an eye on the edges; they should look set, while the centers will be soft.
- Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes; this helps them hold their shape before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container to retain moisture. They’ll stay soft for days!
Enjoy baking these delightful cookies and sharing them with family and friends! 🍏🍪
Apple Butter Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup apple butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
For the Icing Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons milk (or as needed)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cookie recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 10-12 minutes to bake. You’ll want to cool the cookies on a wire rack for about 5 minutes before icing, making the total time around 30-35 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a quick treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly. While the oven is heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Mix in Wet Ingredients
Add the apple butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat everything together until it’s well combined and smooth.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent and spices throughout the cookies.
5. Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies!
6. Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop dough balls (about 1.5 tablespoons each) onto the lined baking sheet. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between each cookie, as they will spread while baking.
7. Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should look set, and the tops will appear slightly cracked. Don’t overbake; you want them to stay soft!
8. Cool the Cookies
Once the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare the Icing
While the cookies are cooling, you can prepare the icing. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a thick, but drizzle-able consistency.
10. Drizzle the Icing
Once the cookies have cooled, transfer the icing to a spoon or a piping bag. Drizzle the icing over each cookie, making fun patterns if you like!
11. Let the Icing Set
Give the icing a few minutes to set before serving or packing the cookies away. Enjoy your delicious, sweet Apple Butter Cookies with family and friends!
Can I Use Store-Bought Apple Butter?
Absolutely! Store-bought apple butter works perfectly in this recipe, making it a quick and easy option. Just look for a brand that contains natural ingredients for the best flavor.
Can I Substitute Different Sweeteners?
Yes, you can use alternatives like coconut sugar or honey. If you use liquid sweeteners like honey, you may need to reduce the other liquids slightly in the recipe to maintain the right dough consistency.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months; just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor. Just fold them in gently after you combine the wet and dry ingredients.
