Description
These soft and flavorful Apple Cider Cookies are a delightful blend of warm spices, tender diced apples, and a sweet apple cider glaze, perfect for autumn or any time you crave a cozy treat. The cookies are moist and lightly spiced, with a buttery base and a fruity hint from fresh apples and cider.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup diced apples
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps aerate the dough for a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup apple cider until the batter becomes smooth and well combined, infusing the dough with moisture and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices throughout the dough.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid over-mixing which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold the diced apples into the dough using a spatula to incorporate them evenly without breaking down the pieces.
- Scoop and Bake: Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the cookies adequately. Bake them for 10–12 minutes until they are golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cookies for a sweet, tangy finish.
Notes
- Use firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith for the best texture in the cookies.
- If you prefer a stronger apple cider flavor, you can soak the diced apples in a bit of cider before mixing into the dough.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect dough consistency.
- You can adjust the glaze consistency by adding more cider for a thinner drizzle or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days; glaze is best applied just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cider cookies, apple cookies, fall cookies, cinnamon cookies, soft cookies, spiced cookies
