Hey friends! December 4th is National Cookie Day, and even though Thomasville Farmers Market is on its winter break, you can still celebrate with a little taste of last season’s harvest.
Dropping temps means that many of us will be forced into our kitchens to bake (oh, darn). Using your canned goods is such a sweet way to keep the spirit of the market alive all winter long. And we have just the recipe to use some of that apple butter you canned this season (don’t fret if you didn’t get around to canning…other local markets and even grocery store-bought apple butter will work just fine).
Apple butter spiced shortbread sandwich cookies are sure to give you the warm fuzzies in this chilly weather! And the best part is, they can be prepped and baked in under two hours!
Apple Butter Spiced Shortbread Sandwich Cookies
Makes: about 18–22 sandwich cookies
Time: 20 minutes prep, 12–14 minutes bake time
Ingredients
For the shortbread cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup powdered sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
½–¾ cup apple butter
Instructions
1. Make the dough
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and light. Add the vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
2. Chill
Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and chill for 30–45 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape and get that classic buttery snap.
3. Roll & cut
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
Cut into small circles (1½–2 inches works great for sandwiches).
Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake
Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden.
Let cool completely — they firm up as they cool.
5. Fill
Spread a teaspoon (or more!) of apple butter on the bottom of one cookie, then gently press another on top to make a sandwich.
6. Serve
Enjoy slightly warm, or let them sit for a few hours — the apple butter softens the centers just enough to make them melt-in-your-mouth perfect.
So grab a jar, preheat the oven, and let those summer flavors warm up your December kitchen.
Happy National Cookie Day, y’all — bake something delicious!
