Description
Sweet, buttery apple butter cookies blend homemade comfort with classic bakery charm. Warm spices and rich apple flavor create an irresistible treat you’ll crave with afternoon tea or morning coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (120 g) apple butter
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
Sweeteners:
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Optional Topping:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for perfect cookie placement.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, developing a smooth, whipped texture.
- Introduce the wet components by gently folding in the egg, incorporating apple butter and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency.
- Separately, combine flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a clean bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute the spices and leavening agent evenly.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain the delicate cookie dough structure.
- Form uniform dough balls using a tablespoon measure, optionally rolling them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture for an extra layer of sweetness and texture.
- Arrange the dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately two inches of spacing to allow for proper spreading during baking.
- Position the baking sheets in a preheated oven set at 350F (175C), baking for 10-12 minutes until the cookie edges turn golden and centers remain slightly soft.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets for five minutes, facilitating gentle cooling and preventing potential crumbling.
- Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them reach room temperature for optimal texture and flavor development.
- Serve the cookies as a delightful treat, with an optional caramel drizzle for those seeking an indulgent finishing touch.
Notes
- Swap out butter for coconut oil to create a dairy-free version that’s equally delicious and moist.
- Experiment with different spices like cardamom or ginger to elevate the warm, autumnal flavor profile of these cookies.
- Use gluten-free flour blend as a direct substitute to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and achieve a perfectly round, uniform cookie shape.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 132
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg