Description
Delight in the warm, comforting flavors of fall with these Caramel Apple Cider Cookies. These soft and chewy cookies combine the spiced essence of apple cider and cinnamon with sweet dried apples and rich caramel drizzles, making an irresistible treat perfect for cozy afternoons and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins & Toppings
- 1 cup dried apples, chopped
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. This ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture until fully incorporated, adding moisture and richness to the dough.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with apple cider, mixing gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Fold in dried apples: Gently fold in the chopped dried apples to distribute the fruity bursts evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape cookies: Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn golden brown and centers are set.
- Cool cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Drizzle caramel sauce: Once cookies are cool, drizzle additional caramel sauce on top and allow it to set slightly before serving to add a luscious finishing touch.
Notes
- Use dried apples instead of fresh to prevent excess moisture in the cookies, maintaining a chewy texture.
- If apple cider is unavailable, a mixture of apple juice with a pinch of ground cinnamon can be a substitute.
- For a stronger caramel flavor, consider warming the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.
- To freeze, place baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: caramel apple cider cookies, fall cookies, apple cinnamon cookies, caramel drizzle dessert, spiced cookies
