By Laurel Perry
Published Sep 9, 2024
As soon as the apple orchards open, I’m first in line to grab a bottle of farm-fresh apple cider. I love to shake off that autumn chill with a comforting drink, and I also love to use it to make these delicious apple cider cookies! I reduce fresh apple cider until it turns into a thick syrup, then add it to this spiced cookie dough and top it off with a delicious apple cider glaze. It’s the perfect rewarding dessert after a long day of apple picking!
Apple cider is one of my favorite fall flavors, so I knew I needed to get it into a cookie ASAP! Reducing the cider into a concentrated and full-bodied syrup is the best way to get maximum cider flavor into these cookies, and let me tell you, these cookies are so tasty! Mixed with an array of warming spices, they are the ultimate autumn dessert!
What’s in This Apple Cider Cookies Recipe?
- Apple Cider : Gives these cookies (and the icing!) tons of apple flavor. In a pinch, apple juice will work, but apple cider has more depth and flavor. Make sure not to use apple cider vinegar, though!!
- Whole Spices : A whole cinnamon stick, clove, and a 1-inch strip of orange peel add warmth to the apple cider. However, if you use a spiced apple cider, you can easily omit these ingredients.
- Flour: All-purpose flour gives the cookies structure.
- Ground Spices : Cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg add warmth and depth to the cookies. I also like to add a pinch of cinnamon to the icing.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- Salt: A touch of kosher salt enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
- Butter: Unsalted butter keeps the cookies moist. If using salted butter, I recommend omitting the kosher salt.
- Sugar: A combination of light brown and granulated sugar sweetens the cookies, while powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the icing.
- Egg: Helps bind the cookies and gives them structure while also keeping them moist.
- Vanilla Extract : Enhances the sweet flavor of the cookies.
Tips for Success
- If using farm-fresh, unpasteurized apple cider, keep in mind that it will still be unpasteurized in the glaze, and use caution when feeding to young children or the elderly.
- Instant apple cider also works in this recipe. Prepare as directed, then reduce as per the recipe.
- When I have extra time, I like to brown the butter, then let it cool to room temperature before using it to make these cookies. This adds a wonderful nutty flavor!
- Measure the flour using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense, dry cookies with very little spread.
- Take care not to overmix the dough, which can make the cookies tough.
- Instead of the glaze, I have also rolled the cookie dough balls in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon before baking for more of an apple cider donut flavor.
- Immediately after baking, I like to swirl each cookie in a round cookie cutter to make them picture-perfectly round.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover apple cider cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Let thaw at room temperature before enjoying at room temp or gently warmed in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
These apple cider cookies are the ultimate apple-flavored fall dessert . They’re great all by themselves or served with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups apple cider 454 grams
- ▢ 1 cinnamon stick optional
- ▢ 1 whole clove optional
- ▢ 1 (1-inch) strip orange peel optional
- ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ▢ ½ teaspoon baking soda 3 grams
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ▢ ½ cup light brown sugar 100 grams
- ▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
- ▢ 1 large egg 50 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
For the Icing
- ▢ ½ cup powdered sugar 57 grams
- ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider 14 grams, more as needed
- ▢ Pinch ground cinnamon optional
Video
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, cinnamon stick, clove, and orange zest. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. After 5 minutes remove the cinnamon stick, clove, and orange zest. Continue simmering until the apple cider has reduced to ¼ cup, about 10-15 more minutes. Set aside to cool completely. 2 cups apple cider, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 whole clove, 1 (1-inch) strip orange peel
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and ¼ cup reduced apple cider. Scrape down the sides as needed. 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add in the flour and mix on low until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop and roll the cookies into balls. Arrange on the baking sheet leaving 2 inches of room around each cookie.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the sheet pan. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are cooled, whisk together the icing ingredients. Add more apple cider as needed to achieve your desired consistency. ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider, Pinch ground cinnamon
- Drizzle the icing over the cookies and let sit for 30 minutes to set up. Serve.
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Portion Scoop
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Apple Cider Cookies Step by Step
Reduce the Cider: In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of apple cider, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 whole clove, and 1 (1-inch) strip of orange peel. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. After 5 minutes remove the cinnamon stick, clove, and orange zest. Continue simmering until the apple cider has reduced to ¼ cup, about 10-15 more minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together ½ cup of unsalted butter, ½ cup of light brown sugar, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the Egg, Vanilla, and Cider: Mix in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and the ¼ cup of reduced apple cider. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Chill the Dough: Add in the flour mixture and mix on low until combined. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Bake the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, scoop and roll the cookies into balls. Arrange on the baking sheet leaving 2 inches of room around each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the sheet pan. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ice the Cookies: Once the cookies are cooled, whisk together ½ cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of apple cider, and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Add more apple cider as needed to achieve your desired consistency. Drizzle the icing over the cookies and let sit for 30 minutes to set up. Serve.
More Cookie Recipes to Try!
Cake Mix Cookies
Hershey Kiss Cookies
Strawberry Cookies
Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Portion Scoop
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider 454 grams
- 1 cinnamon stick optional
- 1 whole clove optional
- 1 (1-inch) strip orange peel optional
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda 3 grams
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ½ cup light brown sugar 100 grams
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
- 1 large egg 50 grams, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
For the Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar 57 grams
- 1 tablespoon apple cider 14 grams, more as needed
- Pinch ground cinnamon optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, cinnamon stick, clove, and orange zest. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. After 5 minutes remove the cinnamon stick, clove, and orange zest. Continue simmering until the apple cider has reduced to ¼ cup, about 10-15 more minutes. Set aside to cool completely. 2 cups apple cider, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 whole clove, 1 (1-inch) strip orange peel
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and ¼ cup reduced apple cider. Scrape down the sides as needed. 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add in the flour and mix on low until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop and roll the cookies into balls. Arrange on the baking sheet leaving 2 inches of room around each cookie.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the sheet pan. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are cooled, whisk together the icing ingredients. Add more apple cider as needed to achieve your desired consistency. ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider, Pinch ground cinnamon
- Drizzle the icing over the cookies and let sit for 30 minutes to set up. Serve.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
