Apple Butter Snickerdoodles – Soft, Chewy & Perfect for Fall

There’s nothing cozier than biting into a soft cookie swirled with apple butter and sprinkled in cinnamon sugar. These apple butter snickerdoodles are chewy, warmly spiced, and filled with autumn sweetness in every bite. They taste like apple pie met a classic snickerdoodle and decided to stay for the whole season.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Butter Snickerdoodles

Each cookie has that tender chew you expect from a snickerdoodle, but with a gooey apple butter center that makes them irresistible. They’re easy enough for a weekday bake yet special enough to share at fall gatherings. You can make them ahead and even freeze the dough for later. Every bite gives you the cozy comfort of cinnamon and apple in one. Try serving them alongside this simple apple crumble for the perfect autumn dessert spread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Unsalted butter
• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar and brown sugar
• Unsulphured molasses
• Large egg and egg yolk
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder and cream of tartar
• Fine sea salt
• Ground cinnamon and sugar for rolling
• Apple butter (choose thick, spiced versions)
• Turbinado sugar for extra crunch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cream Butter and Sugars

Beat butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and molasses until the mixture looks light and fluffy

Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth scraping down the bowl so everything is combined

Mix Dry Ingredients

Stir in the flour baking powder cream of tartar and salt until the dough just comes together

Roll in Cinnamon Sugar

Scoop cookie dough and roll each ball in a cinnamon sugar mix for that classic snickerdoodle coating

Fill with Apple Butter

Use a spoon to press a small well into each dough ball then add a dollop of apple butter and sprinkle with turbinado sugar

Bake Until Perfect

Bake at 350°F until the edges are set but the centers are still soft Let them cool slightly before enjoying

Tips for Perfect Snickerdoodles

Measure flour with the spoon and level method so you don’t end up with dense cookies Skip sugar free apple butter because it doesn’t melt properly in the oven Don’t overbake since the edges should be just set for the best chewy texture For another fall favorite try these pumpkin s’mores cookies

Storage and Freezing

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three days Freeze unfilled dough balls up to three months When ready roll in cinnamon sugar add apple butter and bake straight from frozen just adding a minute or two to the bake time

Variations to Try

Make pumpkin snickerdoodles by swapping the apple butter for pumpkin puree and warm spices Fill with caramel instead of apple butter for a sweet twist Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for crunch For another cozy treat bake a batch of baked pumpkin donuts

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FAQ

Can I use homemade apple butter

Yes homemade works beautifully as long as it’s thick and spiced not watery

Can I double this recipe for a crowd

Absolutely just double each ingredient and bake in batches

What if I don’t have cream of tartar

You can replace it with a touch of lemon juice or skip it The cookies will still turn out soft

Wrap Up

These apple butter snickerdoodles are the kind of cookie that make your kitchen smell like fall and your heart feel cozy They’re perfect for sharing or savoring one with your favorite drink Try them soon and let me know how quickly they disappear

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Apple Butter Snickerdoodles


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  • Author: Ely
  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

There’s nothing cozier than biting into a soft cookie swirled with apple butter and sprinkled in cinnamon sugar. These apple butter snickerdoodles are chewy, warmly spiced, and filled with autumn sweetness in every bite. They taste like apple pie met a classic snickerdoodle and decided to stay for the whole season.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon + ¼ cup sugar (for rolling)
  • ½ cup apple butter (thick, spiced)
  • 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

Instructions

  1. Beat butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and molasses until light and fluffy.
  2. Mix in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  3. Stir in flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt until the dough just comes together.
  4. Scoop dough and roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture for that classic snickerdoodle coating.
  5. Press a small well into each dough ball, add a dollop of apple butter, and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
  6. Bake at 350°F until the edges are set but centers are still soft. Let cool slightly before enjoying.

Notes

Measure flour using the spoon-and-level method for soft cookies. Use thick, spiced apple butter—not sugar-free versions. Don’t overbake; edges should be just set for chewy centers. Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days or freeze dough balls for up to 3 months.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

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