I’ve been craving Fall so much lately. And all the cozy yummy recipes that come with the season! So today, I thought I would make these yummy Apple Butter Cookies and share the easy recipe with you.
I don’t know about you, but I think apple butter can be used anytime of the year! So when you’re craving a little fall like I am right now, this recipe will do the trick!
These cookies are actually more like my raspberry thumbprint cookies I shared last year too. I thought it would be fun to create an apple butter thumbprint cookie too. And of course, I am using homemade apple butter.
Just like I used homemade raspberry jelly for the other cookies too. You can’t convince me that store-bought is just as good. Once you make your own jelly/butter/jam, you just can’t go back! Trust me, it tastes ten times better if you do!
And a little backstory on the apple butter, these were actually used as our wedding favors! My sweet mama made them and canned them all to give them out as favors! How sweet and special is that?!
So, they definitely make these apple butter thumbprint cookies even more delicious! I haven’t ventured out and made my own apple butter yet, but it is definitely on my to-do list for sure!
Another homemade item that makes these cookies (or any recipe really) stand out is my homemade vanilla extract too! If you haven’t made your own vanilla yet, you’re missing out! It’s super easy and makes any baked good taste even better in my opinion too!
This post also contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission off anything you purchase through here, at no additional cost to you. Please read my full privacy policy for more details.
What Is The Difference Between Applesauce And Apple Butter?
You may be wondering if there is really any difference between applesauce and apple butter. And there actually is a big difference between the two.
You can’t really substitute one for the other. Especially in this recipe. Applesauce is lighter in consistency and flavor. Especially since it has a large amount of water in the final product.
Whereas apple butter is essentially a thicker, more concentrated apple sauce. It’s cooked down even more than applesauce to where it is thicker, silkier, and more apple flavored than applesauce.
Think of it like tomato sauce versus tomato paste. Very similar in terms of applesauce versus apple butter!
What Can Apple Butter Be Used For?
If you’re like me, and love apple butter. Then you know that it can be used for many things. Not just for toast! Just like with these apple butter thumbprint cookies, you can get creative with how you use apple butter! Here’s a few examples:
- Spread it out on pizza crust to make a dessert apple pizza!
- Stir some into your morning breakfast oatmeal!
- Add a dollop onto waffles and pancakes along with some spiced apples!
- Stir spoonfuls into a baked sweet potato to sweeten it up!
- And of course, use it in recipes for cookies, muffins, breads, etc.!
So as you can see, there are countless uses when it comes to apple butter. And you can get as creative as you want to with it! These Apple Butter Cookies I’m sharing today is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the goodness you can make with apple butter!
How Do You Keep Thumbprint Cookies From Spreading?
Now, getting back to the apple butter thumbprint cookies, I am going to share some tips and tricks on how to make the perfect cookie! A common issue when making thumbprint cookies are that the cookies tend to spread when baking.
To prevent this issue from happening to you, it is essential that you refrigerate the dough for at least one hour before baking the cookies. This little trick will prevent your cookies from spreading and flattening out.
Also, be sure to use parchment paper in order to keep the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet. And as far as baking sheets go, Caraway Home has the very best ones! I used them all the time!
Why Are My Thumbprint Cookies Cracking When Putting Thumbprint?
Another common issue when it comes to thumbprint cookies are cracking. Once you add in the thumbprint, sometimes the outside edges will crack. This could be due to the fact that there may be too much flour in your dough.
Be sure to use the spoon and level method when measuring out your flour for this dough. That way it is precise and not too much is accidentally added in. Another tip is to make sure the dough balls are nice and smooth before placing your thumbprint in.
Also, be sure to really spend the time and make the dough ball into as much of a perfect circle as you can before indenting it! And also, take your time when making the thumbprints and don’t rush. Trust me, they will turn out much better this way and not crack when doing so!
Apple Butter Cookies Recipe
And now, the moment you all have been waiting for! Here is the apple butter thumbprint cookies recipe below! If you try this out, please let me know what you think below in the comments! I’d love to know!
Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cookie Preparation:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup apple butter
Instructions
For The Cookie Dough:
- In a standing mixer, combine the sugar and butter together. Beat for 2-3 minutes or until well-combined.
- Add in the egg yolks and the vanilla extract. Mix together for an additional 1-2 minutes. Or until the dough turns more light in color and more fluffy.
- In a smaller mixing bowl, sift the flour and salt together.
- Slowly, add in the flour mixture into the dough. Adding about a 1/2 cup at a time. Mix on low until completely combined.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for one hour.
Making The Cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine the cinnamon and sugar listed above into a small mixing bowl.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out cookie dough and roll into balls.
- Place cookie dough balls into cinnamon sugar mixture and coat well.
- Place on lined baking sheet, one inch apart. Using your thumb, press down into the center of each cookie dough ball.
- Fill the indented space with some apple butter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Or until the cookies are set. The bottom of the cookies will be slightly golden brown.
- Cool cookies on wire rack. Be careful because apple butter will be extremely hot before cooling.
- Store cookies at room temperature in a covered container for up to 3 days and enjoy!
And if you’re looking for some more yummy apple recipes, I will link them below for you too:
- Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread
- Easy Apple Dumplings
- German Apple Pie
- Fresh Apple Walnut Cake With Caramel Glaze
- Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Copycat Recipe
- Slow Cooker Chunky Applesauce Recipe
I love the sound of these, they are the perfect sweet treat for the fall season! I love the idea of having these ready to go when I fancy something tasty in the evening. Thanks for this recipe!
Yes, they are so tasty! You should definitely try them out!
Thanks for hosting a FABULOUS linky party every week !
Don’t forget to join us over at the Creatively Crafty Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party/
Followed and Pinned!
Creatively, Beth
Thank you so much! I will have to join in on the fun!
Do these freeze well?
I personally haven’t tried freezing them. I did Google to see if thumbprint cookies froze well, it it recommended freezing the dough before adding the jam to it. Which I think would be best too. I’m not sure if the apple butter/jam would freeze well once added to the cookie. Hope that helps! Let me know if you try freezing them and how they turned out!
Hello Miss Charity! You sound like my kind of person! Describing yourself and the things you enjoy, I noticed Jesus as being first! That struck a chord and I knew I’d subscribe to your page. So, so many tend to put His name last, or Gail to mention Him altogether. I’m not trying to turn this post into any type of religious chat or discussion, as much as I love talking about our Jesus. I’m just letting you know how very much that thought is appreciated!
Also, just the overall wording of your post was great! I truly enjoyed reading this page. I love to cook & bake but only when I’m able to walk into the kitchen and pull every single ingredient for a recipe! I don’t care for the shopping some recipes entail, lol.
I do have all the ingredients for these cookies, including apple butter! Homemade, of course, and cooked over a fire outdoors! It’s the best! I’m 57 and trying to follow in my Granny’s steps! Her apple butter was always made in fall of the year, outside on an open fire. As a youngen, and I mean a small youngens, I stirred, stirred, and stirred with that long wooden paddle! What I’d give to have that paddle today! At that time, I thought the paddling would never end! Now, time seems to fly with each batch I’m cooking!
Sorry for the long post but my gutt told me to share these words, so I always try and follow those gutt feelings.
Merry Christmas and Happy Blessed Holidays!
Awe thank you so much Gail!! I really appreciate your kind words, they made my day! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas too! And thank you so much for stopping by and subscribing! I am so grateful!!