Equipment
1. Hand mixer or stand mixer
2. Cookie Sheets
3. Parchment Paper
4. Saucepan
5. Immersion Blender
Apple Butter
– 2 1⁄2 pounds apples, peeled and chopped (1-inch chunks)
– 2 tablespoons maple syrup
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1⁄4 cup water
Cookie Dough
– 1/2 cup salted butter softened, 113 grams
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 100 grams
– 1/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed, 50 grams
– 1/3 cup pumpkin purée, 75 grams
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, 210 grams
For Apple Butter
1. Pour water into the bottom of a large saucepan.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Set the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it cook for
2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
5. After 2 hours, remove the saucepan from heat. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth.
For Cookies
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and pumpkin purée. Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the ingredients together until light and fluffy.
2. Add cinnamon, baking powder, and salt, then mix again until fully incorporated.
3. Gradually add in the flour, mixing on the lowest setting until just combined. Place the cookie dough in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.
4. After the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Roll about 1 tablespoon of dough into a smooth ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Using your thumb, create an indent in the center of each dough ball. Then, gently widen the indent with your fingers to form a space for the filling.
7. Repeat until all the dough is used, making approximately 20 cookies.
8. Fill each cookie indent with a generous teaspoon of apple butter (you may have extra).
9. Bake the cookies on the middle oven rack for 18-22 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.
