Description
Soft and Chewy Apple Cider Cookies combine the warm, spiced flavors of apple cider with a tender, moist texture perfect for fall. These delightful cookies feature a reduced apple cider syrup incorporated into the dough and a sweet apple cider glaze on top, finished with fresh apple garnish for an extra burst of fruity goodness.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider (to reduce into about ¼ cup apple cider syrup)
- 1 cup plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Glaze & Garnish
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider
- 1 apple (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Reduce the apple cider: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of apple cider to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until the cider thickens and is reduced to about ¼ cup concentrated apple cider syrup, which takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature before using.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the wet ingredients: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and the cooled concentrated apple cider syrup, then mix on low speed until just combined.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to firm up, which helps in shaping the cookies.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Form cookie dough balls: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion dough into balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain soft and chewy. Do not overbake to maintain texture.
- Cool the cookies: Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before applying glaze.
- Make the apple cider glaze: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together 1 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons apple cider until smooth and slightly thickened to form a glaze.
- Glaze and garnish: Drizzle the warm apple cider glaze over the cooled cookies and top with small diced fresh apple pieces for garnish. Allow glaze to set slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor, adding a rich apple taste to the cookies.
- Chilling the dough helps control spreading during baking for a better texture.
- Do not overbake the cookies to ensure they remain soft and chewy.
- Vanilla extract is optional but enhances the overall flavor.
- Use fresh apples for garnish to add a crisp contrast to the soft cookies.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
