Description
These Apple Butter Sandwich Cookies are the perfect edible gift for the holiday season. Soft, cinnamon-spiced cookies are sandwiched together with a luscious apple butter cream filling, creating a cozy treat that’s bursting with fall flavor. They’re ideal for cookie exchanges, gift boxes, and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Apple Butter Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup apple butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt ensuring even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates the perfect base for the cookie dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until smooth to combine all the wet ingredients thoroughly.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms that will hold together but remain tender.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly, and flatten each portion slightly to ensure even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked yet soft in the center.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack to ensure the filling doesn’t melt when assembled.
- Prepare Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy, then add the apple butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until fluffy and smooth.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread or pipe the filling onto the flat side of one cookie and top with another cookie to form a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.
Notes
- Chill the assembled cookies for 15 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set for easier handling.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- These cookies freeze well for up to 2 months; thaw them in the refrigerator before serving for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
