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Apple Butter Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 124 reviews

Delightfully soft and chewy Apple Butter Cookies feature warm spices and rich apple butter flavor, topped with a glossy apple butter glaze. Perfect for cozy autumn days or holiday gatherings, these cookies balance sweet and spiced notes with a luscious icing that adds a creamy finish.

Ingredients

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Apple Butter Cookies

  • 2 cups (240 g) all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened but still cool to touch
  • 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar
  • ½ cup (160 g) apple butter
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract

Apple Butter Icing

  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple butter
  • 2 – 3 tablespoons (30 – 45 ml) milk or heavy cream, room temperature

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugars. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and apple butter on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
  3. Add egg yolk and vanilla. On low speed, incorporate the egg yolk and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture until smooth and well combined.
  4. Mix dry ingredients into wet. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
  5. Chill the dough. Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate it for 1 to 2 hours to firm up and develop flavors.
  6. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet. About 20 to 30 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Shape cookies. Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons or 30 ml), scoop dough balls and place them on the lined baking sheet spaced about 3 inches (8 cm) apart to allow for spreading.
  8. Bake cookies. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly puffed but still soft.
  9. Cool cookies. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature.
  10. Make apple butter glaze. While cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, apple butter, and milk or heavy cream until smooth and well combined.
  11. Glaze the cookies. Once cookies are fully cooled and firm, dip the top of each cookie quickly into the glaze, shake off excess, and return to the cooling rack. Let the glaze set for 30 to 45 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For firmer cookies, chill the dough overnight before baking.
  • Use a light brown sugar for a mild molasses flavor; dark brown sugar will yield a richer taste.
  • Ensure butter is softened but still cool to maintain dough consistency and cookie texture.
  • Spacing cookies 3 inches apart prevents them from merging as they spread during baking.
  • The apple butter glaze can be adjusted by adding more or less milk/heavy cream to reach desired consistency.
  • Store glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: apple butter cookies, spiced cookies, autumn cookies, apple spice, glazed cookies, soft cookies, holiday baking

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/apple-butter-cookies-recipe/