Apple Cider Cookies
Ingredients:
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon, separated
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup + 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar, separated
• 1 large egg
Directions:
• Reduce apple cider by boiling until about 1/2 cup remains, then let cool.
• Whisk together flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
• In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until combined. Add egg and reduced cider, whisk until smooth.
• Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Using a cookie scoop, form dough into balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
• Bake until slightly puffed and edges are just set, about 10-12 minutes. Rotate sheets halfway through baking. Let cool for 15 minutes.
• Prepare cinnamon sugar coating by melting 4 tbsp butter, then mixing 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
• Once cookies have cooled for 15 minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Baking apple cider cookies at home can be a rewarding way to embrace the cozy flavors of autumn. One tip I’ve found helpful is to really let the apple cider reduce down to a thick, syrupy consistency—you’ll notice that the concentrated cider adds a nuanced apple flavor without making the dough too wet. From personal experience, chilling the dough for at least two hours is key; it helps the cookies hold their shape better when baking and develop a richer taste. When it’s time to bake, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart on parchment paper allows for even cooking and prevents sticking. After baking, letting the cookies cool before sprinkling the cinnamon sugar coating is essential—if applied too early, the sugar tends to melt or slide off. Instead, melting the butter for the coating and mixing it with sugar and cinnamon creates a delicious glaze that clings well and adds a crisp texture. This recipe’s balance of spices—cinnamon and nutmeg—reminds me of classic fall desserts and pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee. You can also experiment by adding chopped nuts or dried cranberries to the dough for extra texture and flavor. Overall, making apple cider cookies is a fun way to bring nostalgic seasonal flavors into your kitchen, and this recipe’s straightforward steps make it accessible even if you’re new to baking.
