Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Soft, buttery, and filled with warm apple flavor — these Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect treat for cozy days. The delicate shortbread base melts in your mouth, while the apple butter center adds a hint of sweetness and spice.

This Easy Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies recipe is made with simple ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for fall, festive baking, or gifting!

More Cookie Recipes For You – Eggless Whole Wheat Jaggery Cookies, Almond Ghoraybah Cookies, Christmas Fruit Cookies

About This Recipe

If you love soft, buttery cookies filled with cozy fall flavors, then you’re going to adore this Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies recipe. These little treats are crumbly, rich, and with a hint of spice. Just the kind of cookie that melts in your mouth and leaves the taste of apple sweetness behind.

This thumbprint cookies recipe is simple, quick, and beginner-friendly. It uses pantry staples and takes just a few minutes to whip up the dough. If you love old-school flavors and beautifully rustic cookies, these Old fashioned apple butter thumbprint cookies will be your favorite bake this season.

Perfect for festive gifting, cozy tea time, or your fall baking list, these Easy Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies come together quickly with just a few pantry staples.

Last winter, I used leftover apple butter from breakfast to fill my thumbprint cookies — and it became a favorite ever since. These Best Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies remind me of warm kitchens, cinnamon in the air, and homemade comfort. If you’ve tried my Apple Butter Recipe, this is the perfect way to use it!

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

• They’re made with real butter, giving that melt-in-the-mouth texture.
• These are completely eggless, perfect for egg-free baking.
• The apple butter filling adds warmth and a sweet-tart balance.
• A hint of cinnamon brings a lovely, old-fashioned touch.
• Ready in under 30 minutes — no fancy equipment needed!
• Ideal for fall, Christmas cookie trays, iftar time and as edible gifts.

These are truly the Best Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies — buttery, crisp-edged, and filled with spiced apple goodness in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make these Eggless Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies,

• Butter – unsalted butter works best for rich flavor.
• Sugar – granulated or caster sugar adds just the right sweetness.
• Vanilla extract – for warmth and aroma.
• All-purpose flour – the base that gives structure.
• Cornstarch – adds tenderness to the crumb.
• Baking powder – helps keep the cookies light.
• Salt – just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
• Cinnamon powder – for that cozy, spiced note.
• Apple butter – the star filling! Use homemade or store-bought.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, add softened butter and sugar. Beat until light, creamy, and pale in color. This step ensures your cookies are airy and tender.

Step 2: Add Vanilla

Mix in vanilla extract. The fragrance is what gives these cookies their bakery-style appeal.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon powder. Stir to combine evenly.

Step 4: Form the Dough

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture. Mix gently until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, add a teaspoon of milk. Cover the bowl and leave it in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Shape and Make Thumbprints

Scoop small portions of dough (about a tablespoon each), roll into balls, and place them on a lined baking tray. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, make a small indentation in the center of each ball.

Step 6: Fill and Bake

Fill each indentation with a small spoonful of apple butter. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. The apple butter sets beautifully as they cool, giving that shiny, jammy center.

Tips for the Perfect Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies

• Chill the dough for extra 10–15 minutes if it feels too soft.
• Don’t overfill the centers; apple butter may bubble over while baking.
• You can dust the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Variations

• Swap apple butter with apricot jam or spiced pear butter for a twist.
• Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the dough for extra crunch.
• Drizzle a thin layer of maple glaze on top for festive flair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the secret to a tender thumbprint cookie?

The secret lies in using softened butter and a combination of flour + cornstarch, which gives the cookies a delicate, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Avoid overmixing the dough and do not overbake them. Taking them out while they are still pale in color helps them stay soft.

What is apple butter used for in baking?

Apple butter adds depth of flavor, moisture, and a natural fruity sweetness to baked goods. It is often used as a filling for thumbprint cookies, as a spread for cakes, in muffins, stuffed pastries, and as a topping for pancakes or quick breads. It brings a warm, cozy, slightly caramelized apple flavor.

Should you fill thumbprint cookies before or after baking?

For most recipes, including this Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies recipe, you should fill them before baking. When baked together, the apple butter slightly thickens and fuses with the cookie, creating a glossy, jam-like center that sets beautifully. Only delicate fillings like chocolate ganache are added after baking.