There’s something magical about the arrival of fall—the air turns crisp, leaves crunch underfoot, and the kitchen fills with the smell of cinnamon, apples, and butter. That’s when I start baking my Apple Cider Cookies, a recipe that combines everything I love about the season in one chewy, cozy bite.
These cookies are soft, spiced, and perfectly sweet, made with real apple cider reduced down for bold flavor. They remind me of afternoons spent at the local orchard, sipping warm cider and picking apples until my basket overflowed. Back home, I’d help my grandma turn those apples into pies and cakes—but these cookies? They’re my own modern twist on that nostalgia.
If you’re a fall dessert lover, you’ll also adore my Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies, which have the same chewy texture with an autumn spice kick. For fruity inspiration, try my Blueberry Cookies or the delightful Strawberry Crunch Cookies. And if you love banana flavor, don’t miss my Banana Bread Cookies—they’re a cozy treat year-round.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Apple Cider Cookies
These cookies have all the comfort of apple pie with the ease of a drop cookie. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Bursting with Flavor → Made with apple cider concentrate and warm spices.
- Soft & Chewy Texture → Perfectly balanced between tender and crisp-edged.
- Cozy Fall Dessert → Smells like apple pie and tastes like a mug of warm cider.
- Easy to Make → Simple ingredients and minimal chilling time.
- Perfect for Gifting → Stack and wrap in twine for adorable homemade presents.
- Crowd Favorite → Ideal for bake sales, potlucks, or Thanksgiving desserts.
These soft apple cider cookies capture fall in every bite—comforting, fragrant, and irresistible.
Ingredients
You’ll need simple pantry staples with a fall twist:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup apple cider concentrate (or reduce 1 cup cider down to ¼ cup)
- Optional: ½ cup finely chopped apples or toffee bits
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven → Set to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients → Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
- Cream Butter & Sugar → In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients → Mix in the egg, vanilla, and apple cider concentrate until smooth.
- Combine → Gradually add dry ingredients to wet until fully incorporated.
- Shape Cookies → Scoop dough onto baking sheets using a cookie scoop.
- Bake → Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden brown.
- Cool → Let cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.
I once baked a batch of Apple Cider Cookies for a fall picnic. Paired with warm cider and plaid blankets, they disappeared faster than I could pour the drinks!
How to Serve Apple Cider Cookies
These cookies are delightful straight from the oven, but there are so many fun ways to serve them:
- Classic Snack → Enjoy warm with a mug of hot apple cider or coffee.
- Dessert Board → Arrange with other fall cookies like pumpkin or cinnamon for a seasonal platter.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches → Pair two cookies with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a creamy treat.
- Caramel Drizzle → Drizzle warm caramel sauce over cookies for an indulgent twist.
- Apple Pie Combo → Serve alongside apple pie for an extra cozy dessert spread.
- Giftable Treats → Stack and wrap them in parchment and twine for an easy edible gift.
One of my favorite ways to serve these apple cinnamon cookies is with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. The mix of warm spice and cold sweetness is divine.
How to Store Apple Cider Cookies
These cookies store beautifully, making them perfect for prepping ahead of time:
- Room Temperature → Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator → Keeps well for up to a week; rewarm before serving.
- Freezer → Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Reheating Tips:
- Microwave cookies for 10 seconds for that just-baked softness.
- Warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh the crisp edges.
Pro tip: I always freeze a few dough balls so I can bake fresh apple cider cookies whenever I want that fall aroma filling my kitchen.
Tips to Make the Best Apple Cider Cookies
- Use Real Apple Cider → Not juice—real cider has deeper flavor.
- Reduce the Cider → Simmer cider until thick and syrupy for intense taste.
- Don’t Overmix → Keeps cookies soft and chewy.
- Chill the Dough → Even 20 minutes of chilling helps prevent spreading.
- Enhance Flavor → Add a touch of clove or allspice for extra warmth.
- For Extra Texture → Fold in diced apples, toffee bits, or chopped nuts.
- Cider Glaze Option → Mix powdered sugar with cider for a drizzle-worthy topping.
Once, I topped my spiced apple cookies with a cider glaze, and they became the hit of my fall bake sale. A small upgrade turned them into bakery-style cookies!
Variations of Apple Cider Cookies
Try these fun variations to switch things up:
- Apple Cider Snickerdoodles → Roll dough in cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Caramel Apple Cookies → Add caramel bits for a chewy, gooey version.
- Apple Oatmeal Cookies → Mix in ½ cup oats for rustic texture.
- Glazed Apple Cider Cookies → Top with a simple cider glaze for extra sweetness.
- Maple Apple Cookies → Replace some sugar with pure maple syrup.
- Vegan Apple Cider Cookies → Substitute butter with coconut oil and egg with applesauce.
- Apple Cider Sandwich Cookies → Spread spiced buttercream between two cookies.
My personal favorite is the glazed apple cider cookie—the sweet glaze contrasts perfectly with the tart cider flavor, making them impossible to resist.
FAQs
Can I use apple juice instead of cider?
Yes, but simmer it longer to concentrate the flavor—it’ll be slightly sweeter.
Do I have to chill the dough?
Not required, but a short chill gives thicker, chewier cookies.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely—freeze pre-scooped dough balls and bake straight from frozen.
What makes apple cider cookies taste best?
Reducing real apple cider intensifies flavor and gives a rich, caramelized sweetness.
How can I make them softer?
Add a tablespoon of applesauce or use dark brown sugar for extra moisture.
Final Thoughts
Apple Cider Cookies are everything fall should taste like—warm, cozy, and full of spice. They’re easy to make, incredibly soft, and bursting with apple flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking them for a fall festival, holiday table, or just a cozy weekend at home, these cookies never disappoint.
Bite into one warm from the oven, and you’ll understand why this recipe is worth keeping on repeat all season long.
Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest where I share cozy, easy-to-make baking recipes just like this one.
Print
Apple Cider Cookies
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple Cider Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with apple flavor. Made with apple cider concentrate and cinnamon, these cookies taste like fall in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup apple cider concentrate
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped apples or toffee bits
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets.
2. Whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
4. Add egg, vanilla, and apple cider concentrate; mix well.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients and stir until combined.
6. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes.
7. Cool before serving.
Notes
Reduce apple cider before baking to intensify flavor.
Chill dough for thicker cookies.
Add a cider glaze or drizzle caramel for a bakery-style finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg