Description
Delightfully soft and flavorful Caramel Apple Cider Cookies combine the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg with the sweet tang of apple cider, dried apples, and a luscious caramel drizzle, creating a perfect treat for fall or anytime you crave a cozy dessert.
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 and Toppings
- 1 cup dried apples, chopped
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until fully combined. This ensures the spices and leavening are evenly distributed within the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, giving your cookies a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture until well blended, which helps bind the ingredients and adds flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the apple cider. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently until a dough forms. The cider adds moisture and a subtle fruity flavor.
- Fold in Dried Apples: Gently fold the chopped dried apples into the dough, distributing them evenly without overmixing to maintain a tender cookie structure.
- Portion the Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool the 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, ensuring they set properly without becoming soggy.
- Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Once cooled, drizzle each cookie generously with caramel sauce and allow it to set before serving. This adds a sweet, gooey topping that complements the spiced apple flavors.
Notes
- Using dried apples adds concentrated apple flavor and chewy texture without adding extra moisture.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for better creaming results.
- For a deeper apple flavor, let the apple cider reduce slightly before using.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Optionally, add chopped nuts such as pecans for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: caramel apple cider cookies, fall cookies, spiced cookies, apple dessert, caramel drizzle cookies
