I’ve been planning my holiday baking list for a while now; I gift a box of baked goods to our neighbors and friends. While I typically lean towards peppermint, chocolate, and cranberry-orange flavors, I had to share these apple butter cookies that I’ve tested and love! They’re the perfect addition to a cookie exchange or hosting for the holidays!

This recipe makes 16-18 cookies, depending on the size you make. I used a small cookie scoop and made the dough balls into about 35g each.

Ingredients: 

Cookies –

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup butter, softened but still cool to touch

• 1 cup light brown sugar

• ½ cup apple butter

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Icing –

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tbs apple butter

• 2 – 3 tbs milk or heavy cream, room temperature

Instructions:

1.) In a large mixing bowl, whisk the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until well combined.

2.) In a separate bowl, (I use my stand mixer) using a hand mixer or the paddle attachment, add the butter, light brown sugar and apple butter on medium speed for 2 – 3 minutes or until smooth and well combined.

3.) Decrease your speed to low and add in the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.

4.) Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Do not over mix.

5.) Cover the cookie dough/bowl and transfer to the fridge to chill for 1 – 2 hours.

6.) Pre-heat the oven to 375° F for the last half an hour of chill time and before baking the cookies.

7.) Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

8.) Using a cookie scoop (or measure to 2 tbs balls) scoop the cookie dough and place the dough balls onto the lined baking sheet about 2” apart.

9.) Bake at 375° for 10 – 12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden and the centers are slightly puffy.

10.) Allow the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature.

11.) While the cookies are cooling, make the apple butter glaze. Whisk the powdered sugar with apple butter and drizzle in the heavy cream or milk until smooth and well combined.

12.) Once the cookies have completely cooled, pour the glaze over the cookies, moving back and forth, all around the cookies. You can use as much or as little icing as you’d like, then return the cookies to the cooling rack. Allow about 30 – 45 minutes for the glaze to set.

Enjoy!

Have questions or comments? Leave them below!!