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Apple Cider Cookies: The Ultimate Chewy Fall Dessert

Soft, chewy apple cider cookies made with reduced cider, warm spices, and a simple icing drizzle.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 152
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cookies
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar for rolling
For the icing
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons apple cider
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 small saucepan for reducing the cider
  • 2 mixing bowls 1 medium and 1 large
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 hand mixer or stand mixer
  • 2 baking sheets
  • 1 parchment paper for lining pans
  • 1 cookie scoop about 2-tablespoon size
  • 1 wire cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool completely.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  5. Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced cider until smooth.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms.
  7. Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon portions and roll each ball in the remaining granulated sugar.
  8. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
  10. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 to 3 teaspoons apple cider, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzleable.
  12. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies and let it set before serving or storing.

Notes

Reduce the cider fully for the best apple flavor. Cool the reduced cider before adding it to the dough. Chill the dough briefly if your kitchen is warm. Cookies are done when the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft. Store only after the icing has set completely.