Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe

If you’re craving a cookie that perfectly blends cozy fall flavors with a classic favorite, this Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe is your new best friend. These snickerdoodles bring together the familiar warmth of cinnamon sugar with the rich, subtly spiced depth of apple butter for a cookie that’s tender, chewy, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, a casual afternoon treat, or just because, these cookies offer a delightful twist that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe plays a crucial role, lending texture, moisture, and that signature flavor combination that makes these cookies stand out. From the creamy butter to the sweet, spiced apple butter and the cinnamon-sugar coating, the list is simple but full of purpose.

• Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides creaminess and helps achieve that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Apple butter (1/2 cup): Infuses the dough with rich, spiced apple flavor and adds natural moisture.
• Sugar (3/4 cup): Sweetens the dough and helps with structure, while keeping the cookies soft.
• Large egg (1): Binds ingredients together and contributes to the dough’s richness.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
• All-purpose flour (2 cups): The foundation of the cookie’s structure and chewiness.
• Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Adds lightness and helps the cookies spread just right.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies flavor.
• Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): Delivers that classic snickerdoodle spice, blended both inside and on top.
• Sugar for rolling (1/4 cup): Mix with cinnamon to create that iconic crispy-sweet coating.

How to Make Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze and preserving their delicate texture.

Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, apple butter, and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 2 minutes. This step incorporates air that helps create tender cookies and blends the sweet, fruity apple butter evenly throughout the dough.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, mixing until fully combined. The egg enriches the dough and adds moisture, while the vanilla rounds out the flavors with subtle warmth.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures the leavening and spice are evenly distributed throughout your cookies for perfect consistency and flavor.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until everything is blended. Avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies tender and soft instead of dense and tough.

Step 6: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. This will be your signature snickerdoodle coating, adding both crunch and extra bursts of cinnamon on each bite.

Step 7: Shape and Roll the Dough

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. This step is key for that classic snickerdoodle crackle and flavor on the cookie surface.

Step 8: Arrange Cookies for Baking

Place the coated dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart. This gives the cookies room to spread out without sticking together, ensuring even baking.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. The centers will still be soft, so allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cooling time helps them firm up just right.

How to Serve Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe

Garnishes

While these snickerdoodles stand beautifully on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce can elevate their cozy sweetness. Adding a sprinkle of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts also brings a nice crunch contrast to the soft cookie texture.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a hot cup of chai tea, freshly brewed coffee, or a creamy mug of hot apple cider for an ultra-comforting snack or dessert. They’re perfect for pairing with fall-inspired drinks that echo the cinnamon and apple notes.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, arrange the Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of apple butter, honey, and whipped cream nearby. You can also sandwich them with a smear of cream cheese frosting or apple butter spread to turn them into a charming handheld treat that’s sure to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll remain soft and flavorful for up to 4 days, making them a great grab-and-go snack throughout the week.

Freezing

These snickerdoodles freeze beautifully. Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last for up to 3 months, so you can enjoy your Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe any time you crave them.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, simply microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds or warm a few in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Reheating revives their soft texture and releases those wonderful apple cinnamon aromas.

FAQs

Can I use regular cinnamon instead of ground cinnamon in the dough and coating?

Ground cinnamon is best because it blends smoothly into the dough and adheres well in the coating, giving that classic snickerdoodle flavor. Using cinnamon sticks or other forms won’t provide the same evenly distributed cinnamon warmth.

Is apple butter necessary? Can I substitute it with something else?

Apple butter is essential here because it adds moisture and that deep, spiced apple flavor that sets this recipe apart. You could substitute with pumpkin butter or pear butter for a twist, but the unique taste of apple butter is hard to replicate.

How do I ensure my snickerdoodles stay soft and chewy?

Be careful not to overmix your dough and bake just until the edges turn golden. Overbaking leads to crisp cookies. Also, the apple butter adds moisture that helps keep these snickerdoodles nice and chewy.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can shape the dough balls, roll them in cinnamon sugar, and refrigerate them overnight. Just add an extra minute or two to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

This Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make them gluten-free, you can try substituting a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend but be prepared for slight texture differences.

Final Thoughts

These Apple Butter Snickerdoodles are truly a comforting, flavorful twist on a beloved classic. With every bite, you’ll enjoy the tender texture, warm cinnamon, and that standout apple butter magic that makes this cookie so special. I can’t wait for you to try this Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe and make it your new go-to treat for sharing with friends and family.

Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe

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4 from 27 reviews

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delight in these soft and flavorful Apple Butter Snickerdoodles, featuring a unique twist with apple butter adding moisture and a subtle fruity sweetness to the classic cinnamon-sugar cookie. Perfect for fall or any time you want a cozy treat!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup apple butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For Rolling

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
2. Cream the butters and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, apple butter, and 3/4 cup sugar. Beat these together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well blended, which should take about 2 minutes.
3. Add egg and vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly until everything is smoothly combined.
4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
5. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently and just until combined to avoid overmixing the dough.
6. Prepare cinnamon-sugar coating: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to create the rolling mixture.
7. Form dough balls: Shape the cookie dough into 1-inch diameter balls, ensuring uniform size for even baking.
8. Coat dough balls: Roll each dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated, giving the cookies their classic snickerdoodle finish.
9. Arrange and bake: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
10. Bake and cool: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set perfectly.

Notes

• For best results, use fresh apple butter with a rich, smooth texture to ensure proper moisture and flavor in the cookies.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can increase the cinnamon in the dough or the rolling mixture slightly.
• These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• To keep cookies soft, warm slightly before serving or store with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.
• Rolling the dough balls in sugar mixture right before baking helps create the signature crackled, sugary crust on the cookies.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American