Description
Delight in the cozy flavors of autumn with these Apple Butter Sugar Cookies, featuring a rich blend of softened butter, apple butter, and a hint of almond extract. Perfectly soft and lightly spiced, these cookies are topped with a creamy apple butter frosting that adds a luscious finishing touch, making them a festive treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
- ¼ cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, apple butter, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, ensuring a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs, followed by the egg yolks, and then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts until fully incorporated, adding depth of flavor to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up the dough and enhance the flavors.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Cookies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a cookie or ice cream scoop (about 2 tablespoons), portion the dough into balls and place them evenly spaced on a prepared baking sheet.
- Shape Cookies: In a small dish, mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar with a pinch of salt. Dip the bottom of a glass into this mixture and press firmly into the center of each dough ball, allowing the dough to spread slightly and form a crisp edge for beautiful shape and texture.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple butter, melted butter, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream until smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cookies and optionally sprinkle with festive sprinkles to add a fun and colorful touch.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming.
- Do not overmix the dough to prevent tough cookies.
- Chilling the dough helps with easier handling and better texture.
- Pressing the dough balls with a sugar-coated glass adds a crisp edge and decorative touch.
- Cookies must be completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: apple butter cookies, sugar cookies, easy cookie recipe, fall cookies, soft cookies with frosting, almond extract cookies
