If you love soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that still have a satisfying chew, these chewy apple butter cookies are the ultimate treat. Apple butter is one of fall’s most underrated ingredients, and when you mix it into cookie dough, it transforms everything. You get cookies that stay soft for days, deep apple-cinnamon flavor in every bite, and a texture that beats anything store-bought.
Whether you bake for holiday cookie exchanges, fall gatherings, or cozy nights at home, these apple butter cookies always impress. They have the comforting sweetness of apple pie, the warm spice of a homemade fall dessert, and the chewy texture that Pinterest users adore. This is the kind of cookie people pin, save, and bake again the same day.
Let’s dive into how to make them perfectly every time.
Why These Apple Butter Cookies Are Pinterest-Approved
Pinterest users love recipes that check three boxes:
- Seasonal ingredients that inspire excitement.
- Simple steps and familiar baking methods.
- Soft, chewy textures that photograph beautifully.
These chewy apple butter cookies do all three. Apple butter adds moisture, color, and natural fruit sweetness without making the dough watery. The result is a cookie that spreads just enough but still stays thick and chewy. A dusting of cinnamon sugar on top gives them a bakery finish that looks stunning in photos.
If you run a recipe blog, this is a dessert that fits both fall and holiday content calendars. Apple desserts trend heavily from September through January, and this cookie delivers the kind of flavor that gets repins, saves, and comments.
What Is Apple Butter?
Apple butter is a reduced, deeply caramelized fruit spread made from apples cooked slowly with spices. It’s thicker and more concentrated than applesauce, which makes it ideal for baking. Where applesauce often makes cookies cakey, apple butter brings moisture and richness without losing chewiness.
If your readers are new to apple butter, this recipe is a great introduction. The flavor is warm, spiced, and deeply apple-forward, which pairs perfectly with buttery cookie dough and cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll find everything below easy to access and pantry-friendly. Apple butter is sold in almost every grocery store, especially during fall, and can also be homemade.
Flour: Provides structure while keeping the cookies soft.
Baking soda: Helps with gentle spreading.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances spice.
Cinnamon: Adds classic fall warmth.
Unsalted butter: Creates richness and a chewy center.
Brown sugar: Keeps the cookies soft with molasses flavor.
Granulated sugar: Balances texture and ensures spread.
Apple butter: The star ingredient that adds moisture and apple flavor.
Egg yolk: Adds richness without making the cookies cakey.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the apple spice profile.
Cinnamon-sugar mixture: Perfect for rolling the dough to add texture and a bakery-style finish.
Each ingredient works together to create a chewy, flavorful cookie with warm fall notes.
Chewy Apple Butter Cookies
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- hand mixer or stand mixer for creaming butter and sugar
- whisk for combining dry ingredients
- baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- medium cookie scoop about 2 tablespoons
- wire rack for cooling cookies
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup apple butter, stirred well (preferably with fall spices)
- 1/8 cup plus 1 teaspoon brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
- 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (halve if using table salt)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a hand or stand mixer on medium speed for 1 minute until creamy.
- Add vanilla, apple butter, and egg. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar coating together.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), portion the dough. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated. Place on prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 14–15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely on the baking sheet — cookies will firm up as they cool.
Notes
Step-by-Step Instructions
These cookies come together easily, and the dough requires no chilling unless you prefer a thicker cookie.
- Preheat your oven and line your baking sheets.
- Whisk the dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add the apple butter, egg yolk, and vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients to form a dough.
- Scoop dough balls and roll them in cinnamon sugar.
- Bake until edges are set and centers look slightly underdone.
- Cool on the baking sheet to finish setting.
The key to chewy cookies is removing them slightly early. They continue baking as they cool, locking in that tender, soft texture.
Tips for the Best Chewy Apple Butter Cookies
These pro-tips ensure bakery-style results every time.
Use room-temperature ingredients
Soft butter blends better with sugars, creating a smooth, chewy dough.
Cream the butter fully
Under-creaming will make the cookies flat. Cream until pale and fluffy.
Measure flour correctly
Spoon and level flour to avoid dry, cakey cookies.
Use a cookie scoop
Uniform balls bake evenly and look more professional.
Do not overbake
Remove cookies when edges are set but centers still look soft.
Optional: Chill the dough
This is not required, but a 30-minute chill produces thicker cookies with deeper flavor.
Store with a slice of bread
Keeps them soft for several days.
Why Apple Butter Works So Well in Cookies
Apple butter has natural sugars that caramelize beautifully during baking. Its thick texture allows the cookie to stay moist without spreading too thin. Because it’s concentrated, you get apple flavor without adding too much liquid. This is why applesauce often fails in cookies, but apple butter succeeds.
It also gives the cookies a darker, warm color that looks naturally fall-inspired. If your blog emphasizes seasonal baking, these cookies fit perfectly between pumpkin spice season and holiday cookie boxes.
Recipe Variations
These cookie variations add versatility for different tastes or dietary needs.
Apple Pie Crumble Cookies
Sprinkle a cinnamon-oat streusel on top before baking.
Glazed Apple Butter Cookies
Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze spiked with apple cider.
Apple Butter Snickerdoodles
Add cream of tartar for a classic snickerdoodle tang.
Maple Apple Butter Cookies
Replace part of the sugar with maple syrup for deeper flavor.
Spiced Apple Cookies
Increase cinnamon and add nutmeg or cloves.
Each variation can become its own Pinterest-friendly pin.
What to Serve With Apple Butter Cookies
These cookies pair wonderfully with:
Hot apple cider
A warm mug of chai
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Caramel dip
Pumpkin spice lattes
For holiday gatherings, stack these cookies on a rustic wooden board or arrange them in a tin with parchment for gifting.
Storage and Freezing
Storage:
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days.
Freezing baked cookies:
Freeze in layers separated by parchment for up to 3 months.
Freezing dough balls:
Freeze raw scooped dough for up to 2 months, then bake from frozen with a slightly longer time.
This makes them perfect for holiday prep or make-ahead dessert planning.
Common Questions
Do I need to chill the dough?
No. The cookies bake perfectly without chilling, but a short chill produces a thicker cookie.
Can I use applesauce instead of apple butter?
No. Applesauce contains more liquid and will make the cookies cakey or gummy.
Can I add nuts?
Yes. Chopped pecans or walnuts add great texture.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. This recipe scales beautifully and stays consistent.