Cozy Apple Butter Cookies: 12 Pure Joys

Smell of fall is just around the corner, and you know what that means? It’s time for all things warm, spiced, and cozy! My absolute favorite way to welcome the season is with a batch of homemade apple butter cookies. Seriously, these aren’t just cookies; they’re like little hugs from your oven. What I adore most is how wonderfully soft and chewy they turn out, thanks to a bit of magic from jarred apple butter – so easy, right? Plus, that simple, sweet glaze just makes them sing. It kind of reminds me of when I first started baking, feeling a bit intimidated but finding this pure joy in creating something delicious from scratch, much like Alex’s journey. These cookies capture that same feeling – comforting, simple, and utterly satisfying.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Butter Cookies

Trust me, these are going to fly off the plate! Here’s why you’ll be making them again and again:

• Super Soft & Chewy: We’re talking that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture, not cakey, not crunchy, just pure chewy bliss.
• So Easy to Make: Using jarred apple butter means less fuss and more flavor, perfect for even busy weeknights.
• Cozy Fall Flavors: Get ready for that warm hug of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – it just screams autumn comfort!
• Simple, Sweet Glaze: A little drizzle of sweetness takes these spiced apple cookies from delicious to downright dreamy.

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Gather Your Ingredients for Delicious Apple Butter Cookies

Alright, let’s get our baking game face on! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these amazing apple butter cookies. It’s pretty straightforward, mostly pantry staples with that star ingredient – apple butter!

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup apple butter
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Simple Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Simple Steps to Making Perfect Apple Butter Cookies

Alright, let’s get this baking party started! Making these cozy apple butter cookies is seriously a breeze, and you’ll be so proud of the results. It’s really about just a few simple steps, combining wet and dry ingredients to get that perfect dough. Remember, the goal here is simple joy in the kitchen, so don’t stress; just have fun with it!

1. First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grab some parchment paper and line your baking sheets. This little step makes cleanup SO much easier, trust me.
2. Now, grab your biggest mixing bowl – we’re aiming for as close to a one-bowl cookie situation as we can get! Cream together that softened butter, granulated sugar, and your packed brown sugar. You want it to get nice and light and fluffy; this base is super important for the texture.
3. Next, beat in those eggs, one at a time. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and our star ingredient, the apple butter. Mix it all up until it’s beautifully combined and looks like, well, cookie dough waiting to happen!
4. In a separate, smaller bowl (okay, so maybe two bowls, but still!), whisk together your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Getting those dry spices mixed in evenly now will make sure you don’t get a surprise bite of pure cinnamon later.
5. Here’s where we bring it all together! Gradually add those dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Mix it on low speed, or gently by hand, until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overmix here! We want those soft, chewy spiced apple cookies, not tough ones. A few streaks of flour left is totally fine at this point.
6. Now for the fun part! Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Give them a little space, about 2 inches apart, because they’ll spread out a bit as they bake.
7. Pop those baking sheets into the oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden brown, and the centers should still look a little soft. That’s the secret to that amazing chewy texture!
8. Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies hang out on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This helps them firm up just enough so they don’t fall apart. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is super important if you want your glaze to look perfect!
9. While your cookies are cooling down, let’s make that simple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, a couple of tablespoons of milk, and that vanilla extract. Keep adding milk, a tiny bit at a time, until you get a nice, smooth consistency that’s perfect for drizzling.
10. Once your beautiful apple butter cookies are totally cool, it’s time to drizzle on that sweet glaze. Go ahead, get creative! Let that glaze set up a bit, and then you’re ready to enjoy the best fall cookies ever.

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Tips for the Best Soft Apple Cookies

Okay, so you want those absolutely perfect, melt-in-your-mouth soft apple cookies? It’s all about a few little tricks! For an extra chewy bite that’s just divine, don’t be afraid to slightly underbake them. Just pull them out when the edges start to turn golden but the centers still look a teeny bit soft – they’ll firm up as they cool. And if you love a little crunch with your soft cookie? Stir in about half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts right in with the dough. They add such a lovely texture! Once they’re completely cool and glazed, keep them stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re usually best within about 3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Butter Cookies

Understanding the Nutritional Value of Your Apple Butter Cookies

Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info you see is an estimate. It really depends on the specific brands you use and how you make them, but these numbers give you a general idea of what you’re working with.

Sharing Your Delicious Apple Butter Cookies

Now that you’ve baked up a storm and created these absolutely delightful apple butter cookies, I’d just LOVE to hear all about it! Please, drop a comment below sharing what you thought, how they turned out for you, or any fun twists you added. Your baking adventures always bring me so much joy, and I can’t wait to hear yours!

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Soft Apple Butter Cookies with Simple Glaze

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Enjoy these soft and chewy apple butter cookies, spiced perfectly for fall. A simple glaze adds a touch of sweetness. These are easy to make and perfect for sharing.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 12 min
• Total Time: 32 min
• Yield: 3 dozen 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup apple butter
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• For the Glaze:
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and apple butter until well combined.
4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired drizzling consistency.
10. Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over them. Let the glaze set before serving.

Notes

• For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them.
• You can add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra texture.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• These cookies are great for meal planning and can be a simple dessert option.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 25mg