These frosted apple butter sugar cookies take me back to chilly mornings in my mom’s kitchen. I’d sit on the counter, stealing spoonfuls of dough while the scent of apple and cinnamon filled the air. Now, I bake them with my daughter — and she does the exact same thing.
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Why You’ll Love These Frosted Apple Butter Sugar Cookies
They’re soft. They’re sweet. And they scream fall.
Apple butter makes them rich and spiced without being too sweet. The frosting? Smooth, buttery, and kissed with cider. It’s like biting into an apple pie, only easier to hold.
These cookies are perfect for gifting, fall parties, or lazy Sunday baking. If you love cozy bakes like these Chewy Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies for fall dessert inspiration, this one will hit the spot.
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Frosted Apple Butter Sugar Cookies – Soft, Spiced, and Cozy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, spiced sugar cookies made with apple butter and topped with a creamy apple cider frosting. These cookies are perfect for fall baking and sharing.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup apple butter
2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
FROSTING:
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp apple butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp apple cider or milk
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Mix in egg, vanilla, apple butter, and cider.
4. Whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt.
5. Add dry mix to wet. Stir until just combined.
6. Scoop dough onto baking sheets.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges set.
8. Cool completely on wire rack.
9. Mix frosting ingredients until smooth.
10. Spread over cooled cookies.
Notes
Use unsweetened apple butter for best flavor.
Don’t overmix the dough.
Chill dough if too sticky.
Store in airtight container up to 5 days.
Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Ingredients You’ll Need (and Easy Substitutions)
For the Cookies
Here’s what I use every fall:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup apple butter (unsweetened is best)
- 2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Use high-quality apple butter. It matters. I’ve tried the cheap jars — the flavor’s just not there.
For the Frosting
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp apple butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp apple cider (or milk)
Sometimes I add a pinch of cinnamon. My grandma used to, and it reminds me of her.
Want more apple treats? Try these Maple Glazed Apple Blondies with cozy autumn flavors. They’re pure comfort.
How to Make Apple Butter Sugar Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, apple butter, and cider. Mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly mix dry into wet. Stop when just combined.
- Scoop dough onto parchment-lined sheet.
- Bake 10–12 minutes. Edges should look set, not brown.
- Let them cool completely.
Frosting and Finishing Touches
- Mix melted butter, apple butter, and powdered sugar.
- Add cider a little at a time. Stir until smooth.
- Spread on cooled cookies.
Optional: Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or top with a dried apple chip. Makes them look extra special on a Pumpkin Oreo Balls – a no-bake treat for festive cookie trays platter.
Expert Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Don’t overmix the dough. It’ll make the cookies tough.
- If the dough feels sticky, chill it for 30 minutes.
- Watch the bake time. Take them out before the bottoms get too brown.
- Frost only when completely cool. Trust me — I’ve melted frosting more times than I can count.
FAQ – Frosted Apple Butter Sugar Cookies
Can I use applesauce instead of apple butter?
Nope. Applesauce is too thin and mild. Apple butter gives the flavor and texture these cookies need.
Do these cookies freeze well?
Yes. Freeze the plain cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Frost later for best results.
How long will the frosted cookies stay fresh?
Store them in a tight container. They stay soft for 4–5 days at room temp.
How to Store and Freeze
Here’s what I do:
- Keep frosted cookies in a single layer or between parchment.
- Store in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
- Want to freeze? Bake and cool the cookies, skip the frosting, and freeze them.
When I batch bake for the holidays, I do this — then frost fresh before sharing.
And if you’re planning a cookie tray, add Chewy Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies for fall dessert inspiration or Pumpkin Oreo Balls – a no-bake treat for festive cookie trays. They go great together.