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Apple Cider Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 53 reviews

These apple cider cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with cozy fall flavors. Made with reduced apple cider, brown butter, warm spices, and finished with a cinnamon sugar coating and a sweet apple cider glaze, these cookies capture the essence of an apple cider donut in a delightful cookie form, perfect for autumn treats.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider (to reduce to 1/4 cup)
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons apple pie spice or pumpkin spice
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Apple Cider Butter:

  • 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider (not reduced)

For the Cinnamon Sugar:

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Apple Cider Glaze:

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons apple cider (not reduced)

Instructions

  1. Reduce Apple Cider: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, reduce the apple cider by simmering until it reaches 1/4 cup. This step concentrates the flavor. Once reduced, allow it to cool completely before using.
  2. Brown the Butter: In another saucepan, melt and brown the unsalted butter by cooking until it turns golden and gives off a nutty aroma. Transfer the browned butter to a heat-safe bowl and refrigerate briefly until it firms up slightly.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, apple pie or pumpkin spice, and salt until well combined.
  4. Cream Sugars and Butter: In a large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until creamy and smooth.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: To the butter and sugar mixture, add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and the cooled reduced apple cider. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
  6. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing half at a time, until a soft dough forms. Allow the dough to rest while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  7. Scoop Dough: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats, spacing the cookies about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  8. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers appear puffed and soft.
  9. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Prepare Apple Cider Butter and Cinnamon Sugar: Whisk together the melted unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of apple cider in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix granulated sugar with ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar.
  11. Coat Cookies: Brush each cooled cookie with the apple cider butter mixture, then press both sides of each cookie into the cinnamon sugar to fully coat.
  12. Make Apple Cider Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider until smooth.
  13. Glaze Cookies: Drizzle the glaze over the coated and cooled cookies for a finished sweet shine. Allow glaze to set before serving.

Notes

  • Reducing the apple cider is essential to intensify the flavor; do not skip this step.
  • Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty depth but can be substituted with melted butter if you’re short on time, though the flavor will be less complex.
  • Chilling the cookie dough for a few hours or overnight enhances flavor development and results in chewier cookies.
  • Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen in a single layer and thawed before serving.
  • These cookies are best served at room temperature and do not require reheating.

Keywords: apple cider cookies, fall cookies, brown butter cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, apple pie spice cookies, autumn dessert, spiced cookies, soft chewy cookies

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/apple-cider-cookies-recipe/