Ever since I crafted a blend of apple butter, apple cider and classic ingredients like all-purpose flour and unsalted butter, I knew I had a winner. My Frosted Apple Butter Cookies meld subtle fall flavors with the satisfying sweetness of granulated and powdered sugar, offering a fresh twist on traditional treats.

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I recently stumbled upon this recipe for Frosted Apple Butter Sugar Cookies and couldn’t wait to give it a try. I always love experimenting with apple butter in my baking and these cookies were pure magic!

I mixed together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp baking soda with a dash of salt, then creamed 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. I added an egg and a bit of vanilla extract before stirring in 1/2 cup apple butter and 2 tbsp apple cider to really bring that autumn flavor in.

The frosting, made from 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 tbsp apple butter and a splash of apple cider (or milk to adjust consistency), gave it the perfect finish. I was blown away by how these cookies captured fall in every bite, creating a delicious twist on traditional butter sugar cookies.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love how these cookies bring out that cozy fall vibe with their apple butter and apple cider flavor – it’s like a warm autumn day in every bite.
I also enjoy that they literally melt in your mouth; the texture is so soft and chewy that it makes snack time extra special.
The recipe is super easy to follow even when I’m a bit tired – I don’t have to be a master chef to pull this off, which is a huge plus in my book.
And I gotta say, the apple butter frosting is a game changer – it’s sweet, tangy, and gives the cookies that extra irresistible kick every time I make them.

Ingredients

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All purpose Flour: Gives needed carbs for energy and structure even thogh it lacks fiber.
Apple Butter: Offers natural sweetness and a hint of tang that really pumps up the flavor.
Unsalted Butter: Provides rich fat which adds moisture and improves texture in the cookies.
Granulated Sugar: Acts as the main sweetener that balances the tang and simple carbs nicely.
Egg: Supplies protein and helps bind all the ingredients together in a smooth dough.
Apple Cider: Brings a light tartness and fruity aroma while keeping the cookies moist.
Powdered Sugar: Creates a creamy icing that coats cookies with a subtly sweet finish.

Ingredient Quantities

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup apple butter

2 tbsp apple cider

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (for the frosting)

1 tbsp apple butter (for the frosting)

1-2 tbsp apple cider (for the frosting)

Optional: 1-2 tsp milk to adjust the frosting consistency

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.

2. In another large bowl, cream the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in 1 large egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until mixed well.

4. Stir in 1/2 cup apple butter and 2 tbsp apple cider until everything is combined.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just incorporated, trying not to overmix.

6. Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches space between cookies.

7. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the sheet for around 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

8. While the cookies cool, mix 2 cups sifted powdered sugar with 1 tbsp apple butter and 1-2 tbsp apple cider to make the frosting.

9. If the frosting seems too thick, add 1-2 tsp milk gradually until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.

10. Once the cookies are completely cooled, frost them with the apple butter frosting and enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth treats!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven for baking the cookies
2. Two mixing bowls – one for your dry ingredients and one for your wet ingredients
3. A whisk to mix the dry ingredients evenly
4. An electric mixer or a good hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar
5. Measuring cups and spoons to measure all the ingredients right
6. A baking sheet lined with parchment paper for even baking
7. A spatula or wooden spoon for stirring and folding in the dry ingredients
8. A cooling rack to let your cookies cool properly before frosting them

FAQ

Q: How do I adjust the frosting consistency if it seems too thick?

A: If your frosting is too thick just add 1 more tbsp of apple cider each time while stirring until you reach the right consistency.

Q: Can I use a substitute for apple butter in the cookie dough?

A: You can try using unsweetened apple sauce if you dont have apple butter but note that the flavor wont be as rich.

Q: Can these cookies be stored for later?

A: Yes they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. If that doesnt work you can always freeze them for a longer time.

Q: What if my dough is too sticky to handle?

A: If your dough feels too sticky you can chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before shaping the cookies.

Q: Is there a way to make the cookies chewier if I prefer that texture?

A: To get a chewier cookie you can try baking them a bit less and keeping a close eye so they dont get too crispy.

Frosted Apple Butter Sugar Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

All purpose flour: You can use a gluten free blend instead if you need a gluten free version but the texture may vary a little
Unsalted butter: Salted butter can be swapped in a pinch, just cut back on the salt added to the dough
Granulated sugar: Light brown sugar is a neat alternative that gives the cookies a richer flavor though they might be a bit moister
Apple butter: Sometimes apple sauce or even a mix of apple sauce and a pinch of cinnamon can work, especially if you dont mind a slight twist in taste
Apple cider: Plain apple juice could do the job if you lack cider, but you might need to adjust the sugar since it may be sweeter

Pro Tips

1. Make sure the butter is really softened before you start creamin the sugar; if it’s too cold it wont mix well and your cookies might not come out as fluffy as you want.

2. Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies so mix until you just see no dry bits left.

3. Keep a close eye on your oven because sometimes they bake faster than expected. If your cookies start browning too quick, you might want to lower the temperature a bit next time.

4. When you’re making the frosting, add the milk a little bit at a time. It’ll help you get that perfect smooth consistency without the frosting turning too runny.

Frosted Apple Butter Sugar Cookies Recipe

Recipe by Tina Bueller

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

280

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven for baking the cookies
2. Two mixing bowls – one for your dry ingredients and one for your wet ingredients
3. A whisk to mix the dry ingredients evenly
4. An electric mixer or a good hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar
5. Measuring cups and spoons to measure all the ingredients right
6. A baking sheet lined with parchment paper for even baking
7. A spatula or wooden spoon for stirring and folding in the dry ingredients
8. A cooling rack to let your cookies cool properly before frosting them

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup apple butter
2 tbsp apple cider
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (for the frosting)
1 tbsp apple butter (for the frosting)
1-2 tbsp apple cider (for the frosting)
Optional: 1-2 tsp milk to adjust the frosting consistency

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.
In another large bowl, cream the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in 1 large egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until mixed well.
Stir in 1/2 cup apple butter and 2 tbsp apple cider until everything is combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just incorporated, trying not to overmix.
Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches space between cookies.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the sheet for around 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
While the cookies cool, mix 2 cups sifted powdered sugar with 1 tbsp apple butter and 1-2 tbsp apple cider to make the frosting.
If the frosting seems too thick, add 1-2 tsp milk gradually until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Once the cookies are completely cooled, frost them with the apple butter frosting and enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth treats!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.