These Apple Cider Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with warm autumn flavors. Made with real apple cider and spices, they smell amazing while baking!
I love enjoying these cookies with a warm cup of tea. They’re perfect for sharing with friends or keeping all to yourself. Trust me, they won’t last long! 🍏🍪
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apple Cider: The star of the cookies, apple cider adds wonderful flavor. If you don’t have cider, you can substitute with unsweetened applesauce or just use water. However, you’ll miss that rich apple taste.
Flour: All-purpose flour works best for texture. If you’re gluten-free, consider using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. I’ve had good results with this option!
Butter: Unsalted butter gives the best flavor control. You can use margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free version, but butter really enhances the cookie’s texture!
Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg give that warm autumn flavor. You can swap these out for pumpkin pie spice if you have it on hand. It’s a cozy alternative!
How Can I Reduce Apple Cider Properly?
Reducing apple cider is a simple but important step for flavor concentration. Here’s how to do it right:
- Use a small saucepan and pour in your cider.
- Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then reduce it to a simmer.
- Keep it at a low simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it thickens and reduces to about ¼ cup. Be sure to watch it closely to avoid burning!
- Let it cool completely before adding to the dough to ensure it blends well.
This method brings out the sweetness and intensifies the flavor, making your cookies shine!
How to Make Delicious Apple Cider Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare. After mixing, you’ll need about 10-12 minutes of baking time. Plus, allow for a short cooling time of 5 minutes before glazing, bringing your total time to approximately 30-35 minutes from start to finish. A quick and yummy treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
2. Reduce the Apple Cider:
In a small saucepan, pour in the apple cider and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Let it simmer until it reduces to about ¼ cup, which should take about 10-15 minutes. Once reduced, allow it to cool completely.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk them together so they’re evenly mixed.
4. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In another bowl, cream the softened butter with ½ cup of the granulated sugar using a hand mixer until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine Wet Ingredients:
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, then mix in the cooled apple cider reduction. Stir until everything is well combined.
6. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually stir in the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cookies soft!
7. Sugar Coating:
In a small bowl, mix the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar with a bit of cinnamon if you like. This will add a sweet touch to your cookies!
8. Shape the Cookies:
Roll the dough into 1 to 1 ½ inch balls, then coat each ball in the sugar mixture. This will give them a lovely sweet crust.
9. Bake the Cookies:
Place the cookie balls on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them. Slightly flatten each ball. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set. They’ll be lightly golden on the bottom.
10. Cool and Drizzle:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar with milk until smooth and drizzly. Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle the glaze over them.
11. Enjoy Your Treat!
Let the glaze set for a bit, and then serve your delicious apple cider cookies. They’re perfect for sharing or savoring all by yourself!
These scrumptious cookies are soft and chewy with a delightful blend of spices, making them a perfect treat for any autumn day. Enjoy every bite! 🍏🍂
Can I Use Store-Bought Apple Cider?
Absolutely! Store-bought apple cider works perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure to choose a high-quality cider without added preservatives for the best flavor.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to separate them with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour! However, the cookies may come out denser. You might want to start with 1 ½ cups of whole wheat flour mixed with about 1 cup of all-purpose flour for a lighter texture.
What Can I Substitute for the Egg?
If you need an egg substitute, you can use ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water (let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken). This will keep your cookies moist and fluffy!