Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe

Cozy Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe: Fall’s Sweetest Treat

Caramel apple cider cookies bring warmth and nostalgia to your favorite seasonal treat.

Sweet autumn memories dance through these delightful morsels, capturing the essence of crisp orchard afternoons.

Soft, chewy textures merge with rich caramel undertones, creating a sensory experience that transports you directly to cozy fall moments.

Subtle apple cider notes weave through each bite, converting an ordinary cookie into an extraordinary indulgence.

Kitchen aromas will beckon family and friends with irresistible hints of spice and sweetness.

Comfort and tradition blend seamlessly in this delectable recipe that celebrates seasonal flavors with unexpected elegance.

Grab your mixing bowl and baking enthusiasm for a delicious adventure that promises to delight.

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies That Taste Like Fall

  • Burst with Autumn Flavors: These cookies capture the essence of fall with a perfect blend of apple cider, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and rich caramel that dances on your taste buds.
  • Incredibly Easy to Whip Up: Designed for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that anyone can master in under an hour.
  • Texture Paradise: Experience a delightful contrast between soft, chewy cookie interiors and slightly crisp edges, enhanced by chunks of dried apples that add a delicious textural surprise.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Treat: Ideal for cozy gatherings, holiday parties, or when you need a sweet pick-me-up that screams comfort and warmth without complicated preparation.

Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the cookie's texture, choose unbleached flour for better flavor.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, fresh and recently purchased works best.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice that complements apple flavor, use high-quality ground cinnamon.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Enhances overall warmth and depth of spice profile, freshly grated is more aromatic.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors, use fine table salt.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender cookie base, softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create soft, chewy texture, light brown sugar works well.
  • Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure, use fresh room-temperature egg.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to overall flavor, pure vanilla extract recommended.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Apple Cider: Intensifies apple flavor and adds moisture, choose fresh, high-quality cider.
  • Dried Apples: Provides concentrated apple bits throughout cookie, chop into small, uniform pieces.
  • Caramel Sauce: Adds final sweet, rich drizzle for extra indulgence, store-bought or homemade works well.

How to Make Cookies That Taste Like Apple Cider Donuts

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

In a medium bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt

Set this magical mixture aside.

Step 3: Whip Up Butter Magic

Grab a large mixing bowl and cream together:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Beat until the mixture looks light and fluffy like a cloud.

Step 4: Add Moisture and Flavor

Blend in:
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until everything looks smooth and inviting.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly combine the dry ingredient blend with wet ingredients. Pour in apple cider between mixing, creating a dreamy cookie dough.

Step 6: Sprinkle Apple Goodness

Gently fold chopped dried apples into the dough, ensuring even distribution of fruity chunks.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Delights

Scoop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Leave room between each cookie for spreading love.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide sheets into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch for edges turning a beautiful golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Drizzle Caramel

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, drizzle with luxurious caramel sauce and let it set.

Enjoy your homemade autumn-inspired treat that hugs your taste buds with warm, sweet memories!

Tips for a Soft, Spiced Apple Cider Cookies

  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and spices to ensure perfect cookie texture and balanced flavor.
  • Soften Butter Strategically: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve optimal smoothness and even mixing.
  • Select Quality Cider: Choose fresh, high-quality apple cider with robust apple flavor to enhance the overall taste of the cookies.
  • Check Cookie Doneness Carefully: Watch edges for golden-brown color and slight firmness; avoid overbaking to maintain soft, chewy texture.
  • Drizzle Caramel Wisely: Allow cookies to cool completely before adding caramel sauce to prevent melting and ensure beautiful, clean drizzle lines.

Store and Reheat Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

  • Refrigerate: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining their delicious caramel apple flavor.
  • Reheat: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before enjoying their soft, chewy texture.

Side That Go Well with Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

  • Craft a Cozy Cider Companion: Pour a warm mug of spiced apple cider alongside these cookies to enhance the autumnal flavors and create a comforting flavor harmony.
  • Pair with Creamy Vanilla Delight: Serve these cookies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a chilled glass of milk to balance the rich caramel and apple notes with a smooth, cool contrast.
  • Match with Warm Spiced Chai: Brew a fragrant chai tea that complements the cookie's cinnamon and nutmeg undertones, bringing out the warming spices and creating a delightful seasonal treat experience.
  • Elevate with Salted Caramel Whispers: Drizzle extra caramel sauce on the side or serve with a small shot of caramel liqueur for those wanting to amplify the decadent caramel essence of these delectable cookies.

Add-Ins to Try for Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

  • Nutty Apple Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra texture and a rich, toasted flavor that complements the caramel and apple.
  • Spiced Maple Infusion: Replace the caramel drizzle with a maple glaze and sprinkle warm baking spices like cardamom for a cozy autumn-inspired cookie.
  • Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix softened cream cheese into half the dough and create a marbled effect when dropping cookies onto the baking sheet, adding a tangy richness.
  • Oatmeal Apple Base: Swap a portion of flour with rolled oats to create a heartier, more rustic cookie with increased depth and nutty undertones.
Print
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Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Caramel apple cider cookies blend autumn’s warmth with sweet nostalgia, offering a delightful twist on classic fall treats. Kissed with tangy cider mix and drizzled with rich caramel, these cookies deliver a comforting embrace that pulls you into seasonal memories.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup (100 grams) dried apples, chopped
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) apple cider
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Leavening and Salt:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare workspace by heating the oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for seamless cookie removal.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend that will provide balanced flavor and texture.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes airy and pale, developing a rich foundational base for the cookies.
  4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to ensure smooth integration of wet ingredients.
  5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with apple cider to create a cohesive, aromatic dough that balances moisture and structure.
  6. Gently fold chopped dried apples throughout the dough, distributing them evenly to guarantee apple flavor in every bite.
  7. Scoop rounded portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow proper spreading during baking.
  8. Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges that indicate perfect caramelization and doneness.
  9. Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheets to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  10. Drizzle cooled cookies with caramel sauce, letting it set and create an indulgent finishing touch that enhances the cookie’s complex flavor profile.

Notes

  • Elevate your baking game with these cozy, fall-inspired cookies that blend the warmth of apple cider with rich caramel sweetness.
  • Chopped dried apples add delightful texture and concentrated fruit flavor, making each bite a burst of autumnal goodness.
  • Achieve perfectly golden edges by watching closely during the last few minutes of baking, as ovens can vary in temperature and performance.
  • Caramel drizzle transforms these cookies from delicious to decadent, creating a stunning finish that’s both visually appealing and irresistibly tasty.
  • Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother mixing and a more uniform cookie texture, so remove butter and egg from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft, chewy consistency.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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