Warm & Gooey Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe

Autumn’s crisp breeze carries whispers of warmth and comfort, drawing us closer to the magic of homemade caramel apple cider cookies that dance with seasonal charm.

These delightful treats blend the richness of caramel with the tangy sweetness of apple cider in every delectable bite.

Soft, chewy, and bursting with nostalgic flavors, the cookies capture the essence of cozy afternoons and nostalgic memories.

Each morsel promises a delightful symphony of spices and sweetness that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible dessert that speaks directly to the heart of fall.

Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with an aromatic embrace that welcomes comfort and joy.

Get ready to savor a slice of autumn magic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 162 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients in Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cookies, ensuring a soft and chewy bite.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth, complementing the apple cider flavor.
• Nutmeg: Brings a subtle, sweet spiciness that enhances the overall taste.
• Salt: Balances and elevates the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base that adds moisture and flavor.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a soft, chewy texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a deep, aromatic flavor that complements the spices.
• Apple Cider: Infuses the cookies with a tangy, fruity essence.

• Dried Apples: Adds chewy texture and concentrated apple flavor throughout the cookie.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides a luxurious, sweet drizzle that elevates the cookie's taste and appearance.

Tools That Make Caramel Apple Cider Cookies a Breeze

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending dry ingredients evenly.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheets: Used for baking and cooling cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and crisp up.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps fold in dried apples and mix ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring apple cider and other liquid ingredients.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

• Oven Preparation

Get your baking space ready by warming the oven to a cozy 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.

• Butter and Sugar Magic

In another bowl, transform butter and sugars into a fluffy cloud-like mixture that looks light and dreamy.

• Liquid Binding

Introduce an egg and splash of vanilla, stirring until everything becomes a smooth, happy dance of ingredients.

• Dough Creation

Slowly marry your dry and wet ingredients, alternating with splashes of apple cider until a soft, tender dough emerges.

• Apple Adventure

Gently fold chopped dried apple pieces throughout the dough, creating little bursts of fruity surprise.

• Cookie Placement

Scoop dollops of dough onto prepared sheets, giving each cookie space to spread and grow.

• Baking Moment

Slide the trays into the warm oven, letting cookies transform for 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden and inviting.

• Caramel Finale

After cooling, drizzle a silky caramel cascade over each cookie, creating a sweet, glistening finish that promises deliciousness.

Tips & Flavor Tweaks for Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

• Swap dried apples with fresh, finely diced Granny Smith apples for extra tartness and texture.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or ginger to enhance the autumn-inspired taste profile.
• Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper complexity.
• Warm caramel sauce slightly before drizzling to create beautiful, smooth patterns that add visual appeal and extra indulgence.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain optimal softness.

Serve Up Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

• Cozy Fall Gathering Centerpiece: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, and a warm mug of apple cider for a charming seasonal display.
• Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or pair with a creamy chai latte to enhance the warm, spiced flavors of the cookies.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a plaid ribbon, adding a small cinnamon stick or dried apple slice for a festive homemade touch that feels extra special.
• Brunch Showstopper: Create a cookie platter with these caramel apple cider treats as part of a weekend brunch spread, complementing other autumn-inspired breakfast dishes like pumpkin pancakes or spiced french toast.

Storing Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Like a Pro

• Smart Cookie Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor.
• Chilled Delight Technique: Refrigerate cookies layered between parchment paper for extended freshness, preventing them from becoming stale or losing their caramel-apple charm.
• Freezer Friendly Approach: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick sweet treat anytime.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking. This technique enhances the depth of flavors and allows convenient baking when you're ready to enjoy.

Sweet Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Sweet caramel apple cider cookies blend autumn’s most beloved flavors into a delightful treat. Crisp edges and gooey centers make these cookies an irresistible companion for chilly afternoons when friends gather.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (280 g / 9.9 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) dried apples, chopped
• ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 g / 3.9 oz) brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) apple cider
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless cookie release.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a harmonious dry ingredient foundation that will ensure balanced flavor and consistent texture.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, developing a rich, complex base for the cookies.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, ensuring smooth and thorough incorporation of liquid components.
5. Dough Development: Gradually fold dry ingredients and apple cider into the wet mixture, creating a fragrant, cohesive dough that balances moisture and structural integrity.
6. Apple Infusion: Incorporate chopped dried apples throughout the dough, guaranteeing an even distribution of apple essence in every delectable bite.
7. Cookie Formation and Baking: Distribute rounded dough portions onto prepared sheets, allowing adequate spacing for natural spreading, and bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a golden, caramelized brown.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Rest cookies briefly on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before elegantly drizzling with caramel sauce, adding a luxurious final touch that elevates the cookie’s flavor complexity.

Notes

• Handle with Care: Fresh ingredients like real apple cider and dried apples dramatically boost authentic flavor compared to artificial substitutes.
• Temperature Matters: Room temperature butter and egg blend more smoothly, creating a more uniform cookie texture and preventing dense, lumpy dough.
• Moisture Management: Don’t overmix the dough, which can develop tough gluten and result in dense, chewy cookies instead of soft, tender ones.
• Baking Precision: Use parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure even browning and prevent cookies from sticking, guaranteeing perfect edges and easy removal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 162
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 72 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg