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Frosted Apple Butter Cookies Recipe

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.

Ingredients

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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