These apple cider cookies are soft, chewy, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Made with instant apple cider mix, they’re an easy fall baking treat.
These cookies are full of fall flavor. Made with instant apple cider mix, brown sugar, and warm apple pie spice, each cookie is rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking for a sweet, spiced coating.
I love how easy these cookies are to make. The dough comes together with simple ingredients, and a little time in the refrigerator helps the cookies bake up with a soft center and lightly golden edges.
They are perfect for fall gatherings, holiday cookie trays, or enjoying with a cup of coffee on a cool afternoon. If you want an even stronger apple cider flavor, I’ve also included an optional apple cider reduction you can brush over the baked cookies.
Why We Love These Apple Cider Cookies
- Full of fall flavor. Instant apple cider mix and warm spices give these cookies their familiar apple cider taste.
- Soft and chewy. Chilling the dough and avoiding overbaking helps keep the centers tender.
- Easy to make. No peeling or chopping apples is necessary.
- A sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. Rolling the dough in spiced sugar adds a little crunch and extra flavor to the outside.
- Perfect for sharing. These cookies are a lovely addition to fall parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, and homemade cookie gift boxes.
Apple Cider Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 Packets Instant Apple Cider Mix original flavor, , each packet is .74 ounces
- 1 Teaspoon Apple Pie Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 12 Tablespoons Butter 1 ½ sticks softened
- ¾ Cups Brown Sugar packed
- ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- ¼ Cup Apple Cider
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Apple Pie Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, instant apple cider mix, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt.2 ¼ Cups All-Purpose Flour, 3 Packets Instant Apple Cider Mix, 1 Teaspoon Apple Pie Spice, ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda, ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and apple cider, mixing until combined.12 Tablespoons Butter, ¾ Cups Brown Sugar, ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 Large Egg, ¼ Cup Apple Cider
- Make the dough. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. The dough will be slightly sticky.
- Chill the dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the sugar coating. In a small bowl, mix the ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon apple pie spice until combined.½ Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 Teaspoon Apple Pie Spice
- Shape and coat the cookies. Scoop the dough into balls approximately 2 inches in diameter. Roll each ball in the sugar coating until covered, then place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between the cookies.
- Bake. Bake for 12–13 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn light golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft.
- Cool. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Tips for Making Apple Cider Cookies
Chill the dough. The dough will be slightly sticky, so refrigerate it for 60 minutes before shaping the cookies. This makes the dough easier to handle and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. Use a cookie scoop. A scoop helps you make evenly sized cookies so they bake at about the same rate. For this recipe, aim for dough balls approximately 2 inches across. Don’t add extra flour. The dough is supposed to be a little sticky. Adding too much flour can make the cookies dry or cakey. Don’t overbake. Remove the cookies when the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will continue to set as the cookies cool. Let the cookies rest before moving them. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This brief resting time helps them hold their shape.Nutrition
Recipe Variations for Apple Cider Cookies
Apple Cider Cookies with Vanilla Glaze
Add a sweet finishing touch with a simple vanilla glaze. Mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 1–2 teaspoons of milk and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cookies.
For an extra boost of apple flavor, you could use a little of your reduced apple cider in place of the milk.
Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Caramel and apple are a natural combination. After baking and cooling the cookies, drizzle them with caramel sauce.
For a little extra sweetness, sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt over the caramel before it sets.
My suggestion: I would drizzle the caramel over the cookies rather than add caramel candies to the dough. Caramel candies can melt and spread during baking, making the cookies messier to handle.
Apple Cider Snickerdoodle-Style Cookies
For a cookie reminiscent of a snickerdoodle, roll the dough balls in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon instead of the apple pie spice coating.
Keep the instant apple cider mix in the dough so the cookies retain their apple flavor. This variation gives you a slightly different spice profile while keeping the same basic recipe.
Apple Cider Cookies with White Chocolate Chips
White chocolate pairs nicely with apple and warm spices.
Gently fold ½ cup of white chocolate chips into the finished dough before chilling. Then scoop, coat, and bake as directed.
The white chocolate adds sweetness and creamy bites throughout the cookies.
Apple Cider Oatmeal Cookies
For a heartier cookie with a little more texture, try adding old-fashioned rolled oats.
I would start by replacing ½ cup of the flour with ½ cup of rolled oats. The oats will change the texture, so this variation should be tested to make sure the cookies remain soft and chewy.
Apple Cider Cookies with Brown Butter
Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements the apple cider and spices.
To try this variation, brown the butter in a saucepan, then let it cool until it is no longer hot but has begun to firm up before mixing it with the sugars.
Can I use pumpkin pie spice instead of apple pie spice?
Yes! Pumpkin pie spice works well in this recipe. Both spice blends complement the apple cider flavor, so use whichever you have on hand.
Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?
The dough is slightly sticky, and chilling it for 60 minutes makes it easier to scoop and roll. It also firms up the butter, helping the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should just begin to turn a light golden brown. The centers may still look a little soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool. Be careful not to overbake them if you prefer a chewy texture.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking. If the dough becomes too firm to scoop easily, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
How to Store Apple Cider Cookies
At room temperature: Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days.
In the freezer: Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper if needed. Freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I freeze apple cider cookie dough?
Yes. Scoop the dough into balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
When you’re ready to bake, roll the frozen dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar coating. Bake from frozen, allowing a little extra time as needed, and check that the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
What to Serve with Apple Cider Cookies
These cookies are delicious with a warm drink on a cool fall day. Try serving them with hot apple cider, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
They also make a nice addition to a fall dessert tray alongside apple crisp, pumpkin bars, or other seasonal treats.
A Sweet Taste of Fall
These apple cider cookies are a simple way to enjoy the flavors of fall baking. The apple cider mix brings plenty of flavor to the dough, while the cinnamon-sugar coating adds a sweet, spiced finish.
Make a batch for a fall gathering, share them with family and friends, or keep a few on hand for an afternoon treat.
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