Frosted Apple Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Frosted Apple Butter Cookies are a delightful treat that perfectly blend the warm, spiced flavor of apple butter with a tender, buttery cookie base. Finished with a luscious apple butter icing, they’re ideal for cozy gatherings or anytime you want a sweet, comforting bite.

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

Apple Butter Icing

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup apple butter
• 2 tablespoons apple cider
• 5 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the softened butter, vegetable oil, apple butter, white sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
2. Step 2: Blend in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
3. Step 3: Add the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined—avoid overmixing.
4. Step 4: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake for 8 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely before frosting.
7. Step 7: For the apple butter icing, combine softened butter, apple butter, apple cider, and powdered sugar in a bowl. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
8. Step 8: Spread the icing generously over the cooled cookies and let set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use sweetened apple butter for the best balance of flavor and sweetness.
• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and makes it easier to handle.
• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the flour mixture.
• These cookies can be baked plain and stored unfrosted to freeze, then iced when ready to serve.

Storage

Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment paper between layers for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to three months; it’s best to freeze them unfrosted and add the icing after thawing. To reheat, bring to room temperature before serving to enjoy the full flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade apple butter?

Absolutely! Homemade apple butter adds a fresh and authentic flavor to these cookies. Just be sure it’s sweetened for best results.

Why do I need to refrigerate the dough?

Refrigerating the dough firms it up, making it easier to shape and helping the cookies maintain their shape during baking without spreading too much.

Frosted Apple Butter Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 125 reviews

Frosted Apple Butter Cookies are soft, flavorful cookies enriched with apple butter, butter, and vegetable oil, topped with a creamy apple butter icing. These comforting fall treats offer a perfect balance of sweet apple flavor and tender texture, ideal for holiday gatherings or everyday snacking.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
• Category: Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup apple butter (sweetened)
• 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

Apple Butter Icing

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup apple butter
• 2 tablespoons apple cider
• 5 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine softened butter, vegetable oil, apple butter, white granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
2. Add Eggs: Blend in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, ensuring the dough is creamy.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add all-purpose flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Mix until just blended and the dough begins to come together.
4. Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm it up, making it easier to handle and enhancing the cookie texture.
5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking.
6. Form Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch diameter balls, spacing them properly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
7. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 8 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before icing.
8. Prepare Apple Butter Icing: In a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine softened butter, apple butter, apple cider, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy, with no lumps.
9. Ice the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe the apple butter icing evenly over the tops of the cookies.

Notes

• Use sweetened apple butter for the best flavor balance.
• Cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 1 week.
• For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months; frosting after thawing is preferable but optional.
• Ensure cookies are fully cooled before icing to prevent melting.

Keywords: apple butter cookies, frosted cookies, fall cookies, soft cookies, holiday cookies, apple butter icing