Why You’ll Love Frosted Apple Butter Cookies Recipe
These cookies have a wonderfully soft texture thanks to the combination of butter, vegetable oil, and apple butter. The apple butter adds subtle fruitiness and warm seasonal flavor without making the cookies overly heavy.
The homemade apple butter frosting makes them especially memorable. It is smooth, sweet, and lightly flavored with apple cider, giving every bite an extra layer of apple goodness.
This recipe also makes a generous batch of 36 cookies, making it ideal when you need dessert for a party, family gathering, or holiday celebration.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the cookies:
- Butter, softened
- Vegetable oil
- Apple butter
- White granulated sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Large eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Cream of tartar
- Baking soda
For the apple butter icing:
- Butter, softened
- Apple butter
- Apple cider
- Powdered sugar
Directions
- Add the softened butter, vegetable oil, apple butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Beat the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Add the eggs and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add the all-purpose flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Mix just until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing once the flour has been added.
- Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the dough become easier to handle and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll the chilled dough into approximately 1-inch balls and arrange them on a baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie for slight spreading.
- Bake for about 8 minutes. The cookies should look set around the edges while remaining soft in the centers.
- Allow the cookies to cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before frosting.
- To prepare the apple butter icing, place the softened butter, apple butter, apple cider, and powdered sugar in a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer.
- Beat until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and easily spreadable.
- Spread or pipe the apple butter icing over the completely cooled cookies before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 36 cookies.
Preparation and chilling time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
Baking time: About 8 minutes per batch
Total time: Approximately 1 hour 18 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Variations
For a stronger fall spice flavor, add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice to the cookie dough. A small amount is enough to complement the apple butter without overpowering it.
You can also sprinkle the frosted cookies with cinnamon, finely chopped toasted pecans, or walnuts for extra flavor and texture.
For a caramel-inspired version, drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce over the frosting shortly before serving.
If you prefer a slightly tangier frosting, replace part of the butter with softened cream cheese. Keep cream cheese-frosted cookies refrigerated.
For a simpler version, leave the cookies unfrosted and lightly dust them with powdered sugar once cooled.
Storage/Reheating
Store frosted apple butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent the frosting from sticking.
For longer storage, refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Allow refrigerated cookies to sit at room temperature briefly before serving for the softest texture.
Unfrosted cookies can also be frozen for up to 2 to 3 months. Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Thaw them at room temperature before adding fresh frosting.
The cookie dough can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes if it becomes too firm to roll.
These cookies do not need reheating, but an unfrosted cookie can be warmed for a few seconds in the microwave if you prefer it slightly warm.
FAQs
What does apple butter taste like in cookies?
Apple butter adds a concentrated apple flavor with mild caramelized and spiced notes. In these cookies, it creates a subtle fruitiness while also contributing moisture and softness.
Do I have to chill the cookie dough?
Yes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll and helps keep the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. Refrigerate it for at least 1 hour for the best texture.
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Allow it to soften slightly at room temperature if it is too firm to scoop or roll.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Cookies can spread excessively if the dough is too warm, the butter is overly softened, or the dough has not chilled long enough. Make sure the dough is well chilled before baking.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies should look set around the edges after approximately 8 minutes, while the centers can still appear slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
Can I use homemade apple butter?
Yes. Homemade apple butter works very well as long as it has a thick, spreadable consistency. Very thin or watery apple butter may change the texture of both the cookies and frosting.
Can I substitute apple juice for apple cider in the frosting?
Yes. Apple juice can be used if apple cider is unavailable, although cider generally provides a more concentrated apple flavor.
Why should the cookies be completely cool before frosting?
Warm cookies can cause the butter-based icing to soften or melt. Cooling them completely helps the frosting stay thick, smooth, and evenly spread over each cookie.
Can I freeze Frosted Apple Butter Cookies?
Yes, although freezing the cookies before frosting generally gives the best results. Freeze the cooled, unfrosted cookies in an airtight container and add fresh icing after they have thawed.
Can I add spices to the cookie dough?
Absolutely. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or apple pie spice all pair nicely with apple butter. Start with a small amount so the apple flavor remains noticeable.
Conclusion
Frosted Apple Butter Cookies combine soft, tender cookies with a creamy apple butter icing for a dessert packed with cozy seasonal flavor. The apple butter keeps the cookies moist while the apple cider frosting adds an extra burst of sweetness and fruitiness. With a generous yield and an easy make-ahead dough, these cookies are an excellent choice for fall baking, holiday celebrations, and sharing with family and friends.
Frosted Apple Butter Cookies
Soft, tender apple butter cookies with warm fall flavor, topped with a rich and creamy apple butter icing.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter (softened)
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup apple butter
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 4½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter (softened), for icing
- ¼ cup apple butter, for icing
- 2 tablespoons apple cider
- 5 cups powdered sugar, for icing
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine ¾ cup softened butter, vegetable oil, ½ cup apple butter, granulated sugar, 1 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Blend in the eggs until fully incorporated.
- Add the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Mix until just blended.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Toward the end of chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and arrange on baking sheets. Bake for 8 minutes, then allow the cookies to cool completely before icing.
- To make the apple butter icing, combine 1 cup softened butter, ¼ cup apple butter, apple cider, and 5 cups powdered sugar in a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Spread or pipe the apple butter icing over the cooled cookies before serving.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour so it is easier to roll and holds its shape during baking.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before adding the icing.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 135 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
