Go Back Email Link
+ servings
thumbprint cookies with apple butter in middle
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Cinnamon Sugar Thumbprint Cookies with Apple Butter

Soft cookie dough rolled in cinnamon sugar, filled with apple butter, then baked to perfection. These apple butter thumbprint cookies are a fall favorite.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Chilling time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: classic thumbprint cookies, Fall
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 78kcal
Author: Katie

Ingredients

Cookie dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 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.
  • Make the dough. 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 egg yolks and vanilla extract and beat 1-2 minutes more until lightened in color and fluffy. 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 for one hour.
    stand mixer with buttery cookie dough.
  • 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.
    rolling cookies and filling with apple butter
  • 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.
    fully baked cookies

Notes

Be sure not to eat the cookies before they're cool.  The jam will be very hot for a while.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 3mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg