Print

Soft and Delicious Apple Cider Cookies Recipe

Soft and Delicious Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 29 reviews

These soft and delicious Apple Cider Cookies are infused with warm spices and apple cider reduction, coated with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a sweet apple cider glaze. Perfectly chewy with a subtle tangy sweetness, they make an irresistible autumn treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Cider Cookies

  • 2½ cups apple cider reduced to ¼ cup
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1¾ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar, light or dark, packed
  • ¼ cup apple butter or unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing on the cookies)

Apple Cider Glaze

  • ½ tablespoon apple cider (add an additional ½ tablespoon if needed)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 pinch salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
  2. Reduce the apple cider: Pour the apple cider into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the cider reduces to ¼ cup, which takes about 35 to 45 minutes. Once reduced, set aside to cool, placing it in the fridge to speed cooling to room temperature.
  3. Sift dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. This ensures even distribution of the spices and leavening agents.
  4. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the unsalted butter with both the granulated and brown sugars on medium speed until combined and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  5. Add eggs and flavorings: Add the vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, followed by the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated.
  6. Incorporate apple cider and apple butter: Stir in the cooled reduced apple cider and then the apple butter or unsweetened applesauce. Mix gently on low speed.
  7. Mix in dry ingredients: Add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.
  8. Shape and bake: Scoop the cookie dough into mounds roughly 1½ tablespoons each, spacing them about 3 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until the cookies spring back when lightly touched.
  9. Cool cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Apply cinnamon sugar coating: Brush the cooled cookies with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, then sprinkle or dredge the tops in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
  11. Prepare apple cider glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt (if using), and ½ tablespoon of apple cider. Add more cider, up to an additional ½ tablespoon, to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
  12. Glaze the cookies: Drizzle the apple cider glaze over the cinnamon sugar-coated cookies and allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes

  • Reducing the apple cider intensifies its flavor and helps prevent cookie dough from becoming too wet.
  • Using room temperature eggs and butter helps create a smooth cookie batter.
  • If you don’t have apple butter, unsweetened applesauce is a great substitute.
  • Be careful not to overbake to retain the cookies’ soft texture.
  • The cinnamon sugar coating adds extra sweetness and a pleasant crunch to the cookie exterior.
  • The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more or less apple cider depending on your preference.
  • These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • For a stronger apple cider flavor, you can brush some cider on the cookies before applying the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cookies, soft cookies, spiced apple cookies, fall cookies, autumn dessert, cinnamon sugar cookies, apple cider glaze

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/soft-and-delicious-apple-cider-cookies-recipe/