Description
These Delicious Apple Butter Sandwich Cookies are a delightful treat featuring tender cookies infused with apple butter, filled with a creamy vanilla cream cheese filling, and topped with crispy, sweet candied turkey bacon dust. Perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, these unique sandwich cookies offer a wonderful combination of flavors and textures, making them an irresistible snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp baking powder
- 1 jar apple butter (approx. 16 oz)
Candied Turkey Bacon Dust
- 6 strips turkey bacon
- 3 tsp brown sugar
Cream Cheese Filling
- 0.5 cup softened butter
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.25 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare candied turkey bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place turkey bacon strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then evenly sprinkle brown sugar over the strips. Bake for about 15 minutes until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely, then crumble or crush into fine dust for topping.
- Make the cookie dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until combined. Finally, fold in the apple butter until evenly incorporated, forming a smooth dough.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough spaced evenly on the sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and softened cream cheese together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and gradually mix in powdered sugar until the filling reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the sandwich cookies: Spread a generous layer of cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Sprinkle a pinch of the candied turkey bacon dust on top of the filling. Top with another cookie to form a sandwich. Repeat until all cookies are paired. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and cream cheese are fully softened for smooth filling.
- Do not overbake cookies as they can dry out easily; edges should be lightly golden.
- Allow bacon to cool completely before crushing to avoid clumping.
- Store assembled cookies in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep filling fresh.
- For a vegetarian version, omit turkey bacon and sprinkle cinnamon or nuts instead.
