Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Beat in egg and vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients until dough forms. Shape the dough into a disc and chill for at least 1 hour.

Roll dough to 1/8-inch thick. Using a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter, cut out 24 circles. Place on ungreased baking sheets, at least 1-inch apart.

Bake cookies for 7-9 minutes. Let cool.

Chop bacon and heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add bacon to the pan and cook until grease is frothy.

Drain grease from bacon and pulse in a food processor with brown sugar until desired texture is achieved.

Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together softened butter and cream cheese. Slowly add in vanilla extract and powdered sugar, beating until creamy.

Lay 1 cookie top side down. Spread 1 tbsp apple butter on the backside and sandwich with another cookie. Frost with icing and sprinkle candied bacon dust on top.