Apple Butter Snickerdoodle Bars: The Easiest Thanksgiving Dessert

Is there anything better than the smell of cinnamon and sugar baking in your oven? It just screams the holidays, doesn’t it? Now, imagine all that cozy, spiced flavor baked into one pan of gooey, chewy bars. These Apple Butter Snickerdoodle Bars are my new favorite way to get a dessert on the table that feels special without any of the fuss. They combine the soft, snickerdoodle cookie we all love with the rich, spiced sweetness of apple butter. Trust me, your family is going to go wild for these.

Top Reasons To Make It

First off, you only need one bowl. I know how precious a clean kitchen is during the holidays, and this recipe respects that. They come together in minutes, which is a lifesaver when you’re juggling a turkey, a dozen sides, and a house full of family. They’re also incredibly forgiving—no fancy mixer or baking skills required. And honestly, the flavor is just out of this world. That apple butter adds so much moisture and a deep, autumnal flavor that makes these bars taste like you spent all day in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (creates a rich, tender base)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (for that classic sweet cookie flavor)
• ½ cup apple butter (the secret ingredient for moisture and spice)
• 2 large eggs (binds everything together)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (adds warm depth)
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (the structure of our bars)
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (gives snickerdoodles their signature tang)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (helps them rise and get chewy)
• ½ teaspoon salt (balances all the sweetness)

Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting a little hang over the sides for easy lifting later.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with a wooden spoon until it’s well combined and looks a little fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes.
3. Mix in the apple butter, eggs, and vanilla until the whole thing is smooth and creamy. Don’t worry if it looks a little curdled—it’ll all come together.
4. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt right on top of your wet ingredients. Gently stir it all until you can’t see any more dry flour pockets. The dough will be thick. That’s perfect.
5. Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. You can use your fingers or the flat bottom of a measuring cup to get it nice and smooth.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden and the top looks set. The center might still seem a little soft, but that’s what we want for a chewy bar.
7. Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack before you slice into squares. I know, the wait is the hardest part!

Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

While pie is the star of the show, having a platter of these bars out for grazing is a total game-changer. They’re the perfect finger-food dessert for when everyone is too full for a full slice of pie but still wants a little something sweet. I love setting them out with a pot of coffee after the big meal. They also make a fantastic addition to any dessert table alongside other easy Thanksgiving desserts like pecan pie bites or a simple pumpkin roll.

Variations & Substitutions

Out of apple butter? You can use pumpkin butter for a fun twist, or even just an extra ½ cup of applesauce in a pinch. For a gluten-free version, a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour works beautifully here. If you want to make them a bit more decadent, a simple powdered sugar glaze drizzled on top is just divine. And for a little crunch, try folding in a half cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

These bars are fantastic all on their own, but a little scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top while they’re still slightly warm is pure magic. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. For a real Thanksgiving treat, crumble one over a bowl of vanilla ice cream for an easy apple crumble à la mode situation. So good.

Storage & Reheating

Keep any leftover bars (if you have any!) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before tossing them in the freezer. To reheat, pop a frozen bar in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes until they’re soft and gooey again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make these bars ahead of time for Thanksgiving? Absolutely! They are a perfect make-ahead dessert. Bake them up to two days before, let them cool completely, and store them in an airtight container. They stay incredibly soft and moist.
• I don’t have cream of tartar. What can I use? This is the key for that true snickerdoodle flavor, but in a real pinch, you can substitute it with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. The bars will be slightly less tangy but still delicious.
• What’s the best apple butter to use for this recipe? I always use an unsweetened variety so I can control the sugar level, but any store-bought or homemade apple butter will work wonderfully here.
• Are these bars kid-friendly? Are you kidding? They might be the most popular thing on the table. They’re soft, not too spicy, and the perfect size for little hands. These are some of the most fun Thanksgiving desserts you can make for the whole family.