If you’re craving a treat that feels like a warm hug from your oven, this Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These irresistible cookies bring together the rich, spiced flavor of creamy cookie butter with the comforting texture of a classic soft cookie. Each bite melts in your mouth, revealing hints of cinnamon and brown sugar sweetness that make these cookies perfect for cozy afternoons or festive gatherings. Whether you’re a longtime cookie butter fan or new to this delightful spread, this recipe promises a joyful baking experience and a batch of cookies that disappear way too fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe are straightforward, keeping things simple while ensuring each element enhances the final cookie’s flavor and texture. From the richness of butter to the subtle spice of cinnamon, every item plays an important role.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds creamy richness and helps create a tender crumb.
- 1/2 cup creamy cookie butter (such as Biscoff or Speculoos): The star ingredient providing signature spiced caramel flavor.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Brings deep molasses notes and moisture for chewiness.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to slight crisp edges.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the warm flavors and aroma.
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that provides body to the cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for softness.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Amplifies sweetness and balances the flavors.
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: Adds cozy spice that complements the cookie butter perfectly.
- Extra cookie butter for drizzling or filling: For an extra indulgent touch to your finished cookies.
How to Make Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup. Getting this step out of the way helps you focus fully on mixing the perfect dough.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, creamy cookie butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial—it builds the cookie’s tender texture and infuses every bite with that luscious cookie butter flavor.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. This creates a smooth, cohesive dough that will bake into soft, chewy cookies bursting with flavor.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. This ensures the leavening agent and spices are evenly distributed, so each cookie gets that perfect lift and subtle warmth from the cinnamon.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so the key here is gentle folding to maintain tenderness.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Use a tablespoon to scoop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to prevent spreading into each other. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. The timing is perfect for soft centers with a slight crisp on the outside.
Step 7: Cool and Add Finishing Touches
Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. If you want to take things up a notch, drizzle the cooled cookies with warmed cookie butter or sandwich two cookies together with a generous dollop of cookie butter for double the indulgence.
How to Serve Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an added touch of elegance or festive flair, sprinkle your cookies with a dusting of cinnamon sugar or finely chopped nuts. A delicate drizzle of extra cookie butter warmed to a pourable consistency makes an irresistible finishing glaze that enhances the cookies’ signature taste.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cup of rich coffee, creamy chai tea, or a cold glass of milk to complement their spicy sweetness perfectly. They’re equally wonderful alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm mug of hot chocolate, turning simple moments into special occasions.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by stacking the cookies in a charming jar for gift-giving or layering them between wax paper in a decorative tin. You can also arrange them artfully on a dessert platter alongside fresh fruit and edible flowers to impress guests at your next gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked Cookie Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and flavorful for up to five days. A slice of bread placed in the container helps maintain their moisture.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead of time, cookie dough freezes beautifully. Scoop the dough into individual portions and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To revive slightly stale cookies, warm them for about 10 seconds in the microwave or briefly bake at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. This restores softness and enhances the scent of cookie butter, making every bite taste fresh.
FAQs
Can I substitute peanut butter for cookie butter in this recipe?
While peanut butter can be used, it will change the flavor profile significantly. Cookie butter brings a unique spiced caramel flavor and texture that peanut butter cannot fully replicate. If you’re after that classic cookie butter taste, it’s best to stick with the original ingredient.
How do I make the cookies crispier?
For crisper cookies, simply bake them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the edges deepen to a golden brown. Just be mindful not to overbake to avoid losing the delightful chewiness in the center.
Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips make a delicious addition, adding sweet bursts of chocolate to pair with the spiced cookie butter. About 1/2 cup stirred into the dough will work well without overpowering the cookie’s flavor.
Are these cookies suitable for vegans?
This recipe uses butter and eggs, which are not vegan. However, you can experiment with plant-based butter and egg substitutes like flax eggs. The texture and flavor might vary slightly, but it can still yield tasty results.
What makes cookie butter so special in cookies?
Cookie butter combines the spices and caramelized notes of speculoos cookies into a smooth, spreadable form. When baked into cookies, it infuses the dough with complex, warm flavors that are both nostalgic and unique, creating an unforgettable treat.
Final Thoughts
This Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe is a total game-changer for anyone who loves cozy, flavorful desserts. From the ease of mixing simple ingredients to the heavenly aroma filling your kitchen, this recipe invites you to enjoy baking and sharing in equal measure. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to experience cookies that everyone will ask you to make again and again.
Print
Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft and chewy Cookie Butter Cookies, featuring a rich blend of creamy cookie butter and classic cookie ingredients. Perfect for holiday baking or any sweet craving, these cookies are easy to make and bursting with warm, spiced flavor.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup creamy cookie butter (such as Biscoff or Speculoos)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional Extras
- Extra cookie butter for drizzling or filling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butters and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy cookie butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender, airy cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully incorporated, ensuring the dough is smooth and cohesive.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. This ensures even distribution of the leavening and spices throughout the dough.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can result in tough cookies.
- Portion Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Baking longer will yield crispier cookies, while shorter baking keeps them soft and chewy.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.
- Optional Serving: For extra indulgence, drizzle warmed cookie butter over the cooled cookies or sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of cookie butter.
Notes
- For a crisper texture, bake the cookies an extra minute or two beyond the suggested time.
- To maintain a soft and chewy center, avoid overbaking the cookies.
- Rolling the dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking adds extra flavor and a crunchy sugar coating.
