These apple butter cookies are a flavorful twist on a classic thumbprint cookie, with a jammy center and tiny bits of crunch all over.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe For Thumbprint Cookies
- Ingredient Information and Substitutions
- How To Make Apple And Cinnamon Cookies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tips For Making Cinnamon And Apple Cookies
- What To Serve With Apple Cinnamon Cookies
- Other Cookie Recipes To Try
- Hosting Thanksgiving?
- Apple Butter Cookies
Why You'll Love This Recipe For Thumbprint Cookies
One of my favorite ways to show love is through food, whether that's baking something from scratch to brighten someone's day or sharing a batch of cookies with a neighbor. For this recipe, I wanted to take a traditional cookie and add a seasonal twist to make it even more special.
Apple cinnamon felt like the perfect choice, since nothing says comfort quite like an apple-themed dessert, and I loved the idea of bringing those classic apple pie flavors into cookie form. These are full of seasonal flavor and come together easily: roll them in cinnamon and nuts, then top them with a dollop of apple butter. Here's why you should make these apple cookies:
- Quick and easy
- Apple cinnamon flavor
- Great for gifting
- Nut-free option available
- Perfect for the holidays
Ingredient Information and Substitutions
- All-purpose flour- The base of the cookie dough.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans- Adds crunch to the coating. Almonds or hazelnuts work as substitutes, or swap for a cinnamon sugar coating for a nut-free version.
- Apple butter- Fills the thumbprint center with warm apple flavor. Store-bought or homemade both work. Pumpkin or pear butter are good substitutes, or try a few different flavors for a variety batch.
- Salted butter- Adds richness to the cookie dough.
- Egg- Separated, with the yolk mixed into the dough and the white used to help the coating stick.
- Vanilla extract- Adds warm, classic flavor to the dough. Almond extract works as a substitute for a different flavor twist.
- Light brown sugar- Sweetens the dough and adds a subtle molasses note. Dark brown sugar works too, for a deeper molasses flavor.
- Ground cinnamon- Adds warm spice throughout the dough and coating.
- Ground nutmeg- Adds a subtle, warm depth to the dough. Ground allspice works as a substitute.
- Kosher salt- Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
How To Make Apple And Cinnamon Cookies
Step 1- Preheat the oven.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
Step 2- Mix the wet ingredients, then add the dry ones.
Mix the butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until well combined. After that, stir in the flour, salt, half the cinnamon, and the nutmeg until just combined.
Step 3- Shape the dough and prep the coating.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Then, in a small bowl, combine the chopped nuts and remaining cinnamon.
Step 4- Coat the cookies.
Give the egg white a quick whisk until frothy. Roll each ball in the egg white, then in the nut mixture.
Step 5- Arrange and shape.
Place the balls on the baking sheet about an inch apart. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create a small indent in the center of each cookie, being careful not to press all the way through.
Step 6- Bake, cool, fill, and serve.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, then let cool completely. Fill the indents with apple butter and serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this thumbprint cookies recipe, the egg white acts as a binder, helping the nut coating stick evenly so it doesn't fall off during baking.
Yes, this recipe doubles easily. Just make sure to give the cookies enough space on the baking sheet so they bake evenly.
Look for the edges to turn a light golden color, since the centers will still look soft but will firm up as they cool.
Tips For Making Cinnamon And Apple Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, since this helps the dough come together with the right texture.
- Don't press the thumbprint all the way through the cookie. A well is needed to properly hold the apple butter filling.
- Use the back of a rounded spoon instead of your thumb for a cleaner, more uniform indent if you want a neater presentation. I used my wooden spoon for this.
- Optional Upgrade: Toast the nuts lightly in a dry pan before chopping for a deeper, richer flavor in the coating.
- Let the cookies cool completely before filling them, so the apple butter doesn't melt into the dough.
- This apple cookies recipe is easy to customize for a nut-free version. Just roll the dough in a mix of 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon instead of nuts.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Chop the nuts and measure out the dry ingredients up to a day in advance.
- Leftovers and storage- Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.
What To Serve With Apple Cinnamon Cookies
I love serving these alongside a warm drink and a few other holiday treats for a cozy dessert spread. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Old Fashioned Pecan Pie
- Apple and Cranberry Crisp
- Cinnamon Spiced Candied Pecans
- Orange Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
Other Cookie Recipes To Try
Hosting Thanksgiving?
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Apple Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter softened (1 stick)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg separated
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon divided
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans optional
- 1 cup Apple butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper.
- Mix butter, sugar egg yolk and vanilla until well combined.
- Stir into flour, salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg until just combined.
- Roll into 1 inch balls.
- In a small bowl, combine chopped nuts and remaining cinnamon. Getnly whisk the egg white in a seperate bowl until light and frothy.
- Roll each ball in egg white and then the nuts mixture.
- Place each ball onto the baking sheet around an inch apart.
- Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a small hole in the middle of each cookie being careful not to go all the way through (the "thumbprint").
- Bake uncovered for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely.
- Fill the thumbprints with apple butter. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, since this helps the dough come together with the right texture.
- Don't press the thumbprint all the way through the cookie. A well is needed to properly hold the apple butter filling.
- Use the back of a rounded spoon instead of your thumb for a cleaner, more uniform indent if you want a neater presentation. I used my wooden spoon for this.
- Optional Upgrade: Toast the nuts lightly in a dry pan before chopping for a deeper, richer flavor in the coating.
- Let the cookies cool completely before filling them, so the apple butter doesn't melt into the dough.
- This apple cookies recipe is easy to customize for a nut-free version. Just roll the dough in a mix of 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon instead of nuts.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Chop the nuts and measure out the dry ingredients up to a day in advance.
- Leftovers and storage- Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.
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