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Soft buttery thumbprint cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar and filled with warm, spiced apple butter, perfect fall treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup apple butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and position two racks evenly. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or large bowl with hand mixer, beat butter and ½ cup sugar for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
  3. Mix in egg yolks and vanilla extract; beat for 1-2 more minutes until creamy and light.
  4. Whisk flour and salt together in a small bowl.
  5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture a cup at a time, mixing on low and stirring just until dough comes together; do not overmix.
  6. Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  7. Mix ¼ cup granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl for rolling.
  8. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls.
  9. Roll each dough ball in cinnamon sugar mixture.
  10. Place balls on prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
  11. Press thumb or back of wooden spoon into each ball to make a well.
  12. Spoon a small amount of apple butter into each indentation, filling without overflowing.
  13. Bake at 350°F for 12–14 minutes until set with lightly golden edges.
  14. Transfer cookies to wire rack and cool completely before serving.

Notes

Let the cookies cool completely before eating to avoid burns from hot apple butter filling., Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and tender dough., Measure flour properly to prevent dense cookies., Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender., Chill dough for easier shaping and to prevent spreading., Freeze shaped dough for make-ahead convenience; bake from frozen with a few extra minutes baking time., Try substituting apple butter with jams, preserves, or citrus curds for variation., Add texture by rolling dough balls in chopped nuts or coconut before baking., Dip cooled cookies half in melted chocolate for a decorative finish.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://livacooks.com/apple-butter-thumbprint-cookies/