Apple Butter Cookies

This recipe is the pick for September's Cookie Carnival run by Tami's Kitchen Table Talk. This is a no pressure, easygoing and fun group. (Tami is a sweetheart!)

The recipe comes from Anna Olson of Food Network Canada. It's like a little taste of Fall in every bite. The apple butter is mixed right into the cookie dough and also sandwiched between dollops of dough before it is baked.

A couple of days ago I made my own Honey-Spiced Apple Butter which made my entire house smell better than any air freshener I've ever plugged in. Cinnamonny-sweet apples on a cool, rainy day. I highly suggest making your own apple butter if you haven't already. You can do so many great things with it including these comforting apple butter cookies that remind me of muffin tops. I love muffin tops so by extension, I love these cookies! Have you tried those soft Voortman's brand cookies? These are kinda like that texture. Mmmmm.
I also like to think that with all the apple butter in them, I'm squeezing a fruit serving into my diet too :)

Apple Butter Cookies
Makes 24 | adapted from Anna Olson

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fancy molasses
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 + 1/2 cup apple butter
2 large egg yolks
1 large egg
2 cups pastry flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Beat butter, sugar and brown sugar together until smooth. Stir in molasses, sour cream and 1/2 cup apple butter. Stir in yolks and eggs.
In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients and gently stir into butter mixture. Spoon or pipe 2/3 of batter by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking tray, leaving 1 ½-inches between them. Spoon a teaspoonful of remaining apple butter into centre of each cookie and top each with remaining batter. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until cookies lift easily from tray.