Amazing Apple Cider Cookies For Fall Baking

November 20, 2025 by Alexa

I have such fond memories of apple-picking season, the crisp air, the vibrant colors, and the irresistible smell of warm apple cider. That’s why I’m so excited to share my recipe for Apple Cider Cookies, little bites of fall that you can enjoy anytime.

These cookies capture the cozy, comforting flavor of apple cider in every bite. They’re incredibly easy to make, even if you’re a beginner baker, and take less than an hour from start to finish. Get ready for the best Apple Cider Cookies you’ve ever tasted!

Table of Contents

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Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Cookies

Intense Apple Flavor: I’ve perfected the recipe to maximize the apple cider taste, so it’s not just a hint, but a burst of fall goodness.
Quick and Easy: From mixing to baking, these cookies are ready in under an hour, perfect for those last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are always a crowd-pleaser, ideal for gifting or bringing to your next gathering.
Easy Cleanup: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, cleaning up after baking these cookies is a breeze.

Ingredients for Apple Cider Cookies

3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour: This forms the base of the cookie, providing structure and a tender crumb.
1 teaspoon baking powder: This leavening agent helps the cookies rise, creating a light and airy texture.
¼ teaspoon baking soda: This reacts with the acidity in the apple cider, contributing to the cookie’s rise and a slightly chewy texture.
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon: This spice adds warmth and depth, complementing the apple flavor perfectly.
½ teaspoon nutmeg: This adds a hint of nutty spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
½ teaspoon table salt: This balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the cookies.
1 cup (2 sticks, 226 grams) unsalted butter (softened): This provides richness and moisture, creating a soft and tender cookie.
½ cup (99 grams) granulated white sugar: This adds sweetness and helps the cookies crisp up around the edges.
¾ cup (160 grams) light brown sugar: This adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor, contributing to the cookie’s chewiness.
1 large egg (room temperature): This binds the ingredients together and adds richness. Using a room temperature egg helps it incorporate more easily.
¼ cup (60 mL) apple cider: This is the star ingredient, infusing the cookies with its distinctive apple flavor.
1 apple (peeled and diced): This adds texture and enhances the apple flavor with real fruit pieces.
2 cup confectioners sugar: This is the base for the icing, creating a smooth and sweet glaze.
3 tablespoons apple cider: This thins out the confectioners’ sugar, creating a perfect icing consistency.
½ teaspoon cinnamon: This adds a touch of warmth and spice to the icing, complementing the apple cider flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat and prepare cookie sheets. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or grease lightly.

Lining the cookie sheets with parchment paper ensures the cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup so much easier!
Combine dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.

Whisking the dry ingredients ensures the baking powder and baking soda are evenly distributed, which helps the cookies rise evenly.
Cream butter and sugars. In a second mixing bowl, with an electric mixer cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Creaming the butter and sugars until “light and fluffy” incorporates air into the mixture, which creates a tender and airy cookie.
Add egg and cider. Add egg and mix just until combined. Add cider and combine. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

Scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl ensures all the ingredients are evenly incorporated, preventing any pockets of unmixed butter or sugar.
Add in dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture and mix at low to medium speed until mixture is evenly moistened. Stir in chopped apple.

Mixing at a low speed prevents overmixing, which can develop the gluten in the flour and result in tough cookies.
Scoop the cookies. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the cookies into 1 ½-inch balls. Place onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.

Using a cookie scoop ensures each cookie is the same size, so they bake evenly.
Bake and cool the cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges and centers are set. Remove from the oven and cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to finish cooling completely.

Cooling the cookies on the pan for a few minutes allows them to set slightly, preventing them from breaking when you transfer them to a cooling rack.
Make icing. In a small bowl, whisk together icing ingredients. Spread or drizzle over each cooled cookie.

For a more decorative touch, transfer the icing to a piping bag and drizzle it over the cookies in a pretty pattern!

Ingredient Spotlight: Choosing the Best Apple Cider

The quality of your apple cider truly makes a difference in these cookies! I always recommend using fresh, unfiltered apple cider for the most authentic flavor. Look for cider that is rich in color and has a strong apple aroma.

Some of my favorite brands include Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Harpoon Cider, but you can usually find great local options at farmers’ markets or orchards. The flavor profile can range from tart to sweet, so choose one that you enjoy drinking on its own.

Keep in mind that apple cider contains naturally occurring sugar, contributing to the cookie’s overall sweetness. In addition to cookies, spiced tea is a great way to warm up during the fall.

For another warm beverage to enjoy this fall, try this Ultimate Spiced Tea Recipe with Tang: A Wonderful Twist.

Equipment Recommendations

To make these cookies with ease, I recommend the following tools:

Cookie Scoop: As mentioned above, I love my OXO Good Grips cookie scoop for uniform cookies.
Stand Mixer: A KitchenAid stand mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar a breeze.
Baking Sheets: Nordic Ware baking sheets heat evenly and are super durable.
Cooling Rack: A simple wire cooling rack is essential for cooling the cookies properly.

Tips for Perfect Apple Cider Cookies

Chill the dough: For an extra burst of flavor, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before scooping.
Don’t overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures that everything mixes together evenly, creating a smooth and consistent dough.
Add spices to complement the apple flavor: Experiment with different combinations of spices like ginger, cardamom, or cloves. If you love cookies with spices, check out this Sensational Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies Recipe.

Recipe Variations: Endless Possibilities!

Variation	Details
Caramel Apple Cider	Add ½ cup caramel bits to the dough and drizzle with caramel sauce after baking.
Cinnamon Sugar	Roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking. Adjust baking time as needed.
Apple Pie Spice	Substitute 2 teaspoons apple pie spice for cinnamon and nutmeg.
Apple Butter/Applesauce	Use ½ cup apple butter or applesauce in the dough for a richer flavor. Reduce apple cider to 2 tablespoons.
Add Egg Yolk	Add an extra egg yolk for a chewier cookie.
Gluten-Free Apple Cider	Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Adjust liquid as needed.
Vegan Apple Cider Cookies	Use plant-based butter and egg replacement. Follow package directions for substitutions.
Maple Glaze Apple Cider	Substitute maple syrup for apple cider in the glaze.
Brown Butter Glaze Apple Cider	Substitute brown butter for apple cider in the glaze. Let brown butter cool slightly before mixing.

Cookies spread too much: This can happen if the butter is too soft or the oven temperature is too low. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, using slightly less butter, and ensuring your oven is properly preheated.
Cookies didn’t spread at all: This can happen if there’s too much flour in the dough or the butter was too cold. Try adding a tablespoon of milk to the dough and ensuring the butter is properly softened.
Cookies aren’t soft and chewy: This can happen if the cookies are overbaked or if you used too much white sugar. Try reducing the baking time and using more brown sugar than white sugar.
Cookies are dry: This can happen if there’s too much flour in the dough or not enough butter. Try adding a tablespoon of melted butter and ensuring you measure the flour correctly.
Cookies are too crumbly: This can happen if there’s too little butter in the dough or if you overmixed the dough. Try adding a tablespoon of melted butter and mixing the dough until just combined.

Storing Your Apple Cider Cookies

Room Temperature: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Refrigerator: For longer storage, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezer: To freeze the cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 months.

FAQs about Apple Cider Cookies

What are the best brands of apple cider to use?

As mentioned earlier, I love Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Harpoon Cider. They have rich, authentic apple flavors. However, local brands from farmers’ markets are often the best.

How does altitude affect baking these cookies, and what adjustments can be made?

At higher altitudes, you may need to adjust the baking time and temperature. Try reducing the baking time by a minute or two and increasing the oven temperature by 25 degrees.

Can this recipe be easily doubled or tripled for a large batch? What adjustments are needed?

Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Simply multiply all the ingredients by the desired amount. No other adjustments are needed.

Can I omit the apple?

Yes, you can omit the apple if you prefer. However, it does add a nice texture and enhances the apple flavor.

Can I use apple juice instead?

While you can use apple juice, it won’t have the same rich flavor as apple cider. The cookies will still be delicious, but the apple flavor will be less intense.

What’s the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

Apple cider is raw, unfiltered apple juice. Apple juice is filtered and pasteurized, which gives it a clearer appearance and longer shelf life.

Can I freeze these cookies?

To freeze unbaked: Scoop the cookie dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
To freeze baked: Allow the cookies to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.

How should I store these cookies?

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Conclusion

These Apple Cider Cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a celebration of fall flavors, made with love and shared with joy. I hope this recipe brings a little bit of warmth and happiness to your kitchen.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite fall baking memories? Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts or photos of your delicious cookies! I can’t wait to hear from you! Planning a fall party? For more great treats, check out this guide to other Treats & Drinks.

Alexa