Ingredients
For the apple butter cookies:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp glucose
- 1/4 cup apple butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/3 cups milk powder
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
For the peanut butter frosting:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 to 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
Make the cookies:
- Combine the butter, sugar and glucose in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and cream together on medium-high for 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides, add in the apple butter and vanilla and beat for 7-8 minutes.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and add in the flour, milk powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix just until the dough comes together – no longer than 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Using a 2 3/4 oz. ice cream scoop (1/3 cup measure) portion out the dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet – you should get 15-20 large balls of dough. Pat the tops of the cookie balls flat – wrap the sheet pan tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 1 week. Do not bake the cookies from room temp – they will not bake properly!
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the chilled dough at least 4 inches apart on the baking sheet, and press down on them a little bit, as they won’t spread during baking. Bake for 18-23 minutes. The cookies should look lightly browned on the edges (golden brown on the bottom). If they haven’t reached that color yet, leave them in a for an extra minute or two. Cool the cookies completely on the sheet pans before frosting.
Make the frosting:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and peanut butter on medium speed until soft and combined, about 1 minute.
- Add 2 cups of the confectioners’ sugar, salt, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until the sugar is well incorporated.
- Add another 2 cups sugar and the cream. Add remaining 2 cups of sugar as needed to thicken the frosting. Beat on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Frost cookies generously.