Preheat oven to 350 F.
Combine and mix softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat together until light and fluffy.
Gradually add flour until completely homogenized.
Prepare a baking sheet with a sheet parchment paper.
Roll dough between palms into balls, about half the size of a golf ball, and line up on baking sheet. Using a half sheet, 12 cookies will fit comfortably. If using a full sheet, 24 cookies will fit comfortably.
Using your thumb, create a firm and wide imprint into the center of each dough ball. (The deeper the imprint, the more filling you can add, so create your imprint accordingly to your preferences.)
Using a teaspoon, sufficiently fill each imprint with Apple Butter. (In the oven, the filling will evaporate water resulting in a reduction of product. Optionally, you can add more filling about three-quarters of the way through baking.)
Bake cookies in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until firmly set and a slight browning at the bottom begins to occur.
Allow cookies to cool and the filling to set before enjoying. Dust with powdered sugar.
