Apple Cider Cookies

$To make these delicious apple cider cookies, gather the following items: - 1 cup apple cider - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - ¾ cup brown sugar, packed - ½ cup granulated sugar - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ¼ teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract You can add some fun twists to your cookies by including: - 1 cup chopped dried apples - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans Each cookie has around 100 calories. They contain: - 5 grams of fat - 15 grams of carbs - 1 gram of protein These cookies are a tasty treat for fall. Enjoy them fresh from the oven! If you want to try making them, check out the Full Recipe. Start by pouring 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium-high heat until it boils. Once it boils, lower the heat and let it simmer. This should take about 15-20 minutes. You want the cider to thicken and reduce to about ¼ cup. After that, let it cool completely. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Make sure everything is well mixed. Set this bowl aside for later. In a larger bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together ½ cup of softened unsalted butter, ¾ cup of brown sugar, and ½ cup of granulated sugar. Mix for about 3-4 minutes. You want it to look light and fluffy. - Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients Next, add 1 large egg, the cooled apple cider, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until it is smooth. - Scooping and Placing Cookies on Baking Sheet Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mix, stirring gently. Be careful not to overmix. If you like, fold in 1 cup of chopped dried apples or ½ cup of chopped nuts for extra crunch. Use a cookie scoop or two tablespoons to drop mounds of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Space them about 2 inches apart to let them spread. Now you're ready to bake! To make the best apple cider cookies, start with fresh apple cider. The flavor shines through. Reducing the cider thickens it and brings out the sweetness. This step is key! Use room temperature butter for a light and fluffy texture. Cream it well with both sugars. This adds air, making your cookies soft. When mixing wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. If you want extra flavor, fold in chopped dried apples or nuts. They add great texture and taste. One common mistake is not measuring ingredients correctly. Use measuring cups and spoons for accuracy. Too much flour or sugar can change the texture. Another mistake is not letting the cookies cool. They may fall apart if you move them too soon. Be patient; let them cool for at least five minutes on the baking sheet. Avoid opening the oven door too often. This lets heat escape and can affect baking time. Stick to the recommended bake time of 10-12 minutes for the best results. To make baking easier, gather some essential tools. Here’s what you need: - Mixing bowls - Electric mixer - Measuring cups and spoons - Baking sheet - Parchment paper - Cookie scoop or spoons - Wire cooling rack These tools help you work efficiently and create perfect cookies every time. For more details, check the Full Recipe for guidance on making these delicious treats! {{image_4}} You can make these cookies gluten-free. Just swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Look for a mix that includes xanthan gum. This helps keep the cookie texture light and chewy. Use the same measurement as the original flour. The other ingredients remain the same. To make vegan apple cider cookies, replace the egg. Use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce instead. It binds the dough well. For the butter, use vegan butter or coconut oil. Both work great in this recipe. Your cookies will still taste delicious and warm. You can customize these cookies to your taste. Try adding spices like ginger or cloves for extra warmth. For a nutty crunch, toss in walnuts or pecans. If you want a fruity twist, mix in dried cranberries or raisins. These additions make each bite unique. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite mix! After you bake your apple cider cookies, let them cool completely. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can move them to the fridge. Just remember, the cookies may dry out a bit in the fridge. You can freeze the cookie dough for later use. First, scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the dough balls into a freezer-safe bag. They can stay frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked apple cider cookies last about a week at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, they can last up to two weeks. For the best taste, eat them fresh within the first few days. The flavors are best right after baking! For more details, check the Full Recipe. Yes, you can use store-bought apple cider. It saves time and still tastes great. Just make sure it is 100% apple cider without added sugars or preservatives. To boost flavor, add spices like ginger or cloves. You can also mix in some orange zest for a fresh twist. Another idea is to use brown butter instead of regular butter for a nutty taste. If you want to skip nuts, try adding seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. You could also use more dried apples or chocolate chips for extra sweetness. - How do I know when the cookies are done baking? The cookies are done when the edges turn golden brown. The centers might look soft, but they will firm up as they cool. - Can I use fresh apples instead of dried? Yes, you can use fresh apples, but chop them small to prevent too much moisture. You may need to adjust the baking time since fresh apples can add more liquid to the dough. For more details on how to make these delightful treats, check out the Full Recipe. We explored the key ingredients and steps to make delicious apple cider cookies. You learned how to mix and bake while avoiding common mistakes. Using tips and variations, you can customize your cookies to fit your needs. Remember, storing them properly ensures they last longer. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and share your tasty results. Baking cookies is fun and brings warm joy, so dive in and savor each bite!$

Indulge in the delightful taste of Apple Cider Cookies with this easy recipe! Made with reduced apple cider and warm spices, these cookies are perfect for cozy gatherings. From the buttery base to optional crunchy nuts and chewy dried apples, each bite is filled with flavor. Get ready to impress your friends and family! Click through to explore the full recipe and unlock your new favorite fall treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup apple cider

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 large egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped dried apples (optional)

½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring it to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently until the liquid has thickened and reduced down to approximately ¼ cup, which should take about 15-20 minutes. Once reduced, remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.

Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat the mixture for about 3-4 minutes or until it becomes light and fluffy.

Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, the cooled reduced apple cider, and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugars. Mix until all the wet ingredients are smoothly incorporated.

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix. If desired, gently fold in the chopped dried apples and nuts for added texture and flavor.

Scoop the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or two tablespoons, portion out heaping mounds of dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring that they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and firm. The centers may appear slightly soft; they will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Cool: Once done baking, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies

- Presentation Tips: For a delightful touch, lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving. Arrange them on a beautiful platter alongside fresh apple slices for an appealing autumn-themed treat.