Irresistible Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe

Cinnamon-Kissed Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe

Soft, chewy cookies dance with warmth and spice in this irresistible apple butter snickerdoodles recipe that blends classic comfort with unexpected sweetness.

Cinnamon-sugar coating adds a delightful crunch to every bite of these delectable treats.

The secret ingredient, creamy apple butter, infuses each cookie with rich, autumnal flavor that makes taste buds sing.

Perfectly balanced between crisp edges and tender centers, these snickerdoodles bring a homemade touch to your dessert table.

Bakers of all skill levels can create these delightful cookies with simple ingredients and easy techniques.

The aroma of baking snickerdoodles will draw everyone to the kitchen, promising pure comfort in every sweet, spiced morsel.

Prepare to fall in love with a cookie that celebrates the best of seasonal baking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 130 kcal

Servings: 25

What Goes Into Apple Butter Snickerdoodles

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create soft, tender cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps cookies achieve golden, crisp edges.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and ensures chewy, moist cookie interior.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to cookie structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, sweet undertones.
  • Apple Butter: Introduces subtle fruity depth and moisture to the cookie.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's basic structure and provides tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
  • Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes egg whites and adds subtle tangy flavor.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor profiles.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Delivers warm, aromatic spice characteristic of snickerdoodles.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Contributes warm, slightly nutty background note.
For Coating:
  • Additional Cinnamon: Creates signature snickerdoodle exterior with spicy warmth.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweet, sparkling crust on cookie surface.

Baking Tools For Apple Butter Snickerdoodles

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for achieving fluffy butter and sugar mixture.
  • Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients evenly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient amounts.
  • Baking sheets: Needed for baking cookies evenly.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Small bowl: Used for mixing cinnamon-sugar coating.
  • Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool and crisp up after baking.

Steps To Bake Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Soft

  • Whip Up the Dough Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and cream together butter, white and brown sugars until they’re light and fluffy. Splash in the apple butter, crack in an egg, and pour vanilla extract. Mix until everything looks silky smooth.

  • Blend Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

  • Chill and Rest

Cover the dough and pop it in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. This magical waiting time helps your cookies stay thick and super chewy.

  • Prep and Coat

Heat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Create a quick coating by mixing cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Roll chilled dough into cute little balls, then give each one a luxurious roll in the cinnamon-sugar mix.

  • Bake to Perfection

Place your coated dough balls on the baking sheet, keeping them about 2 inches apart. Slide them into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when edges look set but centers remain slightly soft. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for cooling.

Tips For Sweet Apple Butter Snickerdoodles

  • Baking Magic Secrets: Elevate Your Apple Butter Snickerdoodles
  • Chill Time Matters: Refrigerating the dough isn't just a suggestion – it's crucial for preventing cookie spread and creating deliciously thick, chewy treats that hold their shape perfectly.
  • Moisture Mastery: Use high-quality, thick apple butter for intense flavor and optimal cookie texture; avoid watery versions that could make dough too soft.
  • Altitude Adjustment: For high-altitude baking, reduce baking soda by 1/4 teaspoon and add 2 tablespoons extra flour to maintain cookie structure and prevent excessive spreading.
  • Dietary Flex Options: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly cookies, or use plant-based butter and egg substitute for a vegan version that doesn't compromise on rich, comforting taste.
  • Storage Wisdom: Store cooled cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain perfect texture.

Serve Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Cozy And Warm

  • Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange these warm, spiced cookies on a rustic wooden board with powdered sugar dusting and small cinnamon sticks for a cozy winter gathering touch.
  • Autumn Dessert Companion: Serve alongside a steaming mug of spiced apple cider or creamy chai latte to enhance the apple butter's rich, comforting flavors.
  • Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Create delightful dessert sandwiches by placing a scoop of vanilla bean or caramel ice cream between two cooled snickerdoodles for an indulgent treat.
  • Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with twine, adding a small cinnamon stick or dried apple slice for a charming homemade gift aesthetic.

Keep Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Fresh

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bags for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Chilling Technique: Store unbaked dough in refrigerator for maximum 3 days before baking. Always cover tightly to prevent drying or absorbing other food odors.
  • Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare dough balls in advance, coating with cinnamon-sugar mixture just before baking. This allows convenient baking when unexpected guests arrive or sweet cravings hit.
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Irresistible Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe

Irresistible Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Homemade apple butter snickerdoodles blend classic cinnamon cookie magic with rich autumnal notes. Warm spices and creamy apple butter create irresistible comfort perfect for sharing with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) apple butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Creaming: Blend softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Mix in apple butter, egg, and vanilla extract until silky smooth.
  2. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Whisk flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution.
  3. Dough Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to preserve cookie tenderness. Wrap dough completely and chill for 45 minutes to enhance flavor and prevent spreading.
  4. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment. Create cinnamon-sugar coating in a shallow dish.
  5. Shaping and Coating: Form chilled dough into 1½-inch spheres, rolling each generously in cinnamon-sugar mixture for complete coverage. Position balls two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
  6. Baking: Bake for 11-13 minutes until edges turn golden and centers appear softly set. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 4-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Prevent Dough Spreading: Chill the dough thoroughly to reduce cookie spread and maintain a compact, soft shape during baking.
  • Achieve Consistent Size: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform dough balls, ensuring even baking and professional-looking cookies.
  • Control Moisture Content: Apple butter adds richness and moisture, so slightly reduce liquid ingredients to maintain proper dough consistency and prevent excess spreading.
  • Customize Spice Levels: Adjust ground cinnamon and nutmeg quantities to personalize the warm, aromatic flavor profile according to personal preference.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 70 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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