Introduction

These chewy apple cider cookies capture the warm, spicy essence of autumn in every bite. With reduced apple cider and cozy spices, they offer a delightful twist on classic cookies that’s perfect for any fall gathering or a comforting snack.

A close-up of a stack of round cookies with cracked tops, each cookie a warm brown color and sprinkled generously with white sugar crystals. The cookies have a slightly rough texture with visible cracks and sugar giving a sparkly effect. They are piled on a white plate with a scalloped edge, and the background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

Step 1: In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until the cider is reduced to about 1/4 cup, approximately 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Then, stir in the cooled, reduced apple cider.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.
Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 7: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers appear set.
Step 9: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

For extra chewiness, store the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.
If you’d like, drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a touch of apple cider for added sweetness.
If you can’t find nutmeg or cloves, increase the cinnamon slightly or use pumpkin pie spice as a substitute.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread inside the container to retain moisture. Reheat gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds if you like them warm.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a pile of round, golden-brown cookies with a cracked surface and a crystal sugar coating that sparkles in the light. The cookies have a rough texture and are stacked on a white plate with scalloped edges, creating a cozy and warm feel. The background shows a white marbled texture that adds a clean and simple look to the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought apple cider instead of homemade cider for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought apple cider works perfectly. Just be sure to reduce it as instructed to concentrate the flavor.

What should I do if I can’t find certain spices like ground cloves or nutmeg?

You can substitute with pumpkin pie spice or slightly increase the cinnamon. These adjustments will still give you that warm, cozy fall flavor.

Chewy Apple Cider Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 100 reviews

These Chewy Apple Cider Cookies capture the warm, spiced flavors of autumn in a soft and delightful treat. Made by reducing apple cider to concentrate its flavor, then blending it into a spiced cookie dough, these cookies deliver a perfect balance of sweetness and comforting fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They are easy to make and perfect for cozying up during cool weather or sharing with friends and family.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil over medium heat. Then reduce the heat and simmer until the cider reduces to about 1/4 cup, which takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick and bake evenly.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
Add Egg, Vanilla, and Apple Cider: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Then stir in the cooled, reduced apple cider carefully to incorporate the rich apple flavor into the dough.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This evenly distributes the leavening agents and spices throughout the flour.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies chewy rather than tough.
Scoop the Dough: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, place dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown and the centers appear set but still soft.
Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking apart and finishes the setting process.

Notes

These cookies offer a wonderful aroma that perfectly evokes the essence of autumn.
Enjoy them plain or drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a touch of apple cider for extra sweetness.
To keep the cookies extra chewy, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.
If you cannot find ground cloves or nutmeg, you can substitute with additional cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a similar flavor profile.
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for longer storage.

Keywords: apple cider cookies, chewy cookies, fall recipes, autumn desserts, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe