This Apple Cider Cookies Recipe is a cozy celebration of fall baking at its best. Picture soft, tender cookies infused with the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, kissed by the fruity brightness of apple cider and studded with sweet chopped apples. Each bite bursts with comforting flavors and a delightful moist texture, making it an irresistible treat to enjoy with your favorite cup of tea or coffee. This recipe manages to feel both nostalgic and fresh, perfect for sharing with family and friends or simply indulging yourself on a crisp afternoon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Apple Cider Cookies Recipe lies in its simple but thoughtful list of ingredients. Each element plays a key role in building the cookie’s soft texture, deep flavor, and inviting aroma.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for a tender yet sturdy cookie.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft, airy crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and that unmistakable fall flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Compliments cinnamon with a subtle spicy note.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature: For richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering and helps with browning.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough together while adding moisture.
- 1/2 cup apple cider: Infuses the cookies with lush apple flavor and tenderizes the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its sweet, floral notes.
- 1/2 cup finely chopped apples (peeled and cored): Brings fresh apple bites that add texture and juicy bursts.
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts or raisins: For extra crunch or chewy sweetness, if you like.
How to Make Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by setting your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes cleanup easy and keeps the cookies from sticking, so they bake evenly and slide right off when done.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. This ensures that the spices and leavening agent are evenly distributed throughout your dough, guaranteeing each cookie has that signature autumn flavor.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is where air gets incorporated, making your cookies wonderfully tender and soft.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, apple cider, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The apple cider adds a subtle tang and moisture that sets these cookies apart from your typical sweet treat.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually mix the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir carefully until everything is just combined—you want to avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies tender and cakey.
Step 6: Fold in Apples and Extras
Gently fold in the finely chopped apples alongside any optional nuts or raisins you chose. These little pockets of apple not only add flavor but bring delightful texture contrasts that make every bite exciting.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto your lined baking sheet, spacing each about two inches apart to allow for gentle spreading. This helps create perfectly shaped, evenly baked cookies.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, watching for the edges to turn lightly golden. This signals that they are baked through but still soft and moist in the center—just how a great fall cookie should be.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes after removing from the oven—this helps them set up and makes transferring them easier. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely so their flavors fully develop.
How to Serve Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar makes these cookies look as lovely as they taste, adding just a little extra sweetness. You can also drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of apple cider for a glossy finish that’s both pretty and delicious.
Side Dishes
Apple Cider Cookies Recipe pairs beautifully with warm beverages like chai tea, hot apple cider, or even a frothy latte. For a comforting treat, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or a slice of classic pumpkin pie during the harvest season.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small bowls of caramel sauce, chopped nuts, dried apple slices, or cinnamon sticks to create a charming dessert spread. For gatherings, try stacking them with layers of cream cheese frosting for a delightful cookie cake twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Apple Cider Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and soft for about 3 to 4 days—perfect for snacking throughout the week or packing in lunchboxes.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready for a treat, simply thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
Warm cookies in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. This little bit of heat revives their soft texture and enhances the fragrant apple and spice flavors as if freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apple cider for this recipe?
Absolutely! Whether you have raw, sweetened, or sparkling apple cider, it will add a lovely apple flavor. Just keep in mind that some sweeter ciders might affect the cookie’s sweetness, so adjust sugar if needed.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends that work one-to-one for flour in baking, but the texture might differ slightly.
Can I substitute the chopped apples with dried fruit?
While fresh apples give the best moisture and texture, using dried fruit like raisins or dried cranberries can add lovely flavor too. Just reduce other liquid slightly to keep the dough from becoming too wet.
What’s the best way to get soft cookies instead of crunchy?
Make sure not to overbake the cookies. Remove them from the oven as soon as the edges turn light golden, and allow them to cool on the baking sheet first. This helps retain moisture and softness.
Can I make this cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can mix the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Chilling helps meld the flavors and can improve texture, just allow a few extra minutes of baking time if chilled.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Cider Cookies Recipe is one of those comforting, flavorful treats that can turn an ordinary day into something special. Whether you’re baking a batch for a cozy weekend at home or to impress friends at a gathering, these cookies bring warmth and joy in every bite. So grab your ingredients and give this recipe a try—your kitchen will thank you for it.
Print
Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 18-24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Apple Cider Cookies are a delightful fall treat featuring warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, juicy apples, and a hint of vanilla. Soft and flavorful, these cookies capture the essence of apple cider in every bite, perfect for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup finely chopped apples (peeled and cored)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Cream butter and sugar. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This process takes about 2-3 minutes and adds air to create a tender cookie.
- Add wet ingredients. Beat in the egg, apple cider, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture until well combined, which adds moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in additional ingredients. Gently fold in the finely chopped apples and optional nuts or raisins if desired to add texture and bursts of flavor.
- Portion the dough. Drop tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake. Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, signaling they are done but still soft inside.
- Cool the cookies. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage and ensuring they set properly.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the optional nuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
- Use fresh apple cider for the best flavor; avoid concentrate or sweetened versions.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help reduce spreading if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
