Apple butter thumbprint cookies are an autumn twist on a classic cookie. The addition of cinnamon sugar and apple butter make these perfect for the best time of the year.
Let’s make apple butter thumbprint cookies
Looking for a new fall cookie recipe? These apple butter thumbprint cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday baking. They’re soft and chewy, with just enough of that cinnamon sugar crunch on top. If you love old fashioned thumbprint cookies with jam, you can’t go wrong with these!
The dough is easy to make and you only need one bowl, so clean up will be a breeze. Plus they’re so delicious you’ll want them year-round.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
The cinnamon-sugar topping. It’s the perfect sweet and spiced addition to a classic cookie dough
Easy to make. No fancy decorations.
Celebrates the season. If you love fall, you’ll love making these.
What you’ll need
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- egg yolks
- pure vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- cinnamon
- apple butter
- baking sheets
- parchment paper
- electric mixer (a hand mixer is fine)
Step by step thumbprint cookies with apple butter
Prepare the oven for baking. Preheat it to 350°F with two sheets of parchment paper on the rack.
Cream together the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes. Then add the eggs yolks and vanilla extract. Mix for 1-2 minutes more until it is lighter in color and fluffy.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix it on low after each addition of flour and stir just until it is combined. Cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for thirty minutes.
Put the cookie dough on a baking tray. Bake for 12-14 minutes in an oven that is at 350°F. Cookies will be baked through when they are set and slightly brown on the bottoms and edges. Let cookies cool before storing them at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips for success
- Be sure to refrigerate the dough so the cookies don’t spread too much.
- Apple butter can be found at most stores, or you can make your own. You can find a classic apple butter recipe here.
- Be sure to roll the cookie dough balls in cinnamon-sugar just before baking. This way they’ll bake up perfectly crunchy and sweet.
Thumbprint cookie FAQs
What are thumbprint cookies?
What else can I fill them with?
What do they taste like?
How long will they stay fresh on my countertop?
Can I freeze them?
More fall cookies you’ll love
- Chewy Molasses Cookies
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Giant Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Heath Bar Blondies
Recipe for apple butter thumbprint cookies
Cinnamon Sugar Thumbprint Cookies with Apple Butteer
Ingredients
Cookie dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Putting cookies together
- ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling the cookies
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup apple butter
Instructions
- Prep the oven and baking sheets. Preheat oven to 350°F with two racks spaced equally. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, cream together the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes or until well combined. Add the eggs yolks and vanilla extract and beat 1-2minutes more until lightened in color and fluffy.
- Add the dry ingredients. In a small mixing bowl, combine the salt and flour. Add it to the butter-sugar mixture, one cup at a time. Mix on low after each addition and stir just until the flour is combined.
- Chill the dough. Cover the bowl of dough tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for thirty minutes.
- Shape and fill the dough. Using cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll into balls. Combine the extra granulated sugar and cinnamon for rolling in a pie plate or bowl. Roll them in the cinnamon sugar and place them onto the baking sheets one inch apart in all directions. Indent each ball of cookie dough using your thumb, or the handle of a large wooden spoon. Carefully place a small amount of apple butter into each cookie.
- Bake. Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes or until the cookies are set. The bottoms and edges will be slightly golden brown. Allow to cool on a wire rack until cool. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe for Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies is a great addition to your holiday baking list. The dough only requires one bowl, making clean up easy and the cookies are so delicious you’ll want them year-round!
Really good, absolutely great.
I actually added a spoon caramelized apples on top at the end for an apple pie type flavor and it worked out wonderfully