Apple Cider Sugar Cookies

This easy fall cookie recipe uses reduced apple cider to create soft and chewy apple cider sugar cookies. The warm fall spices and cinnamon sugar coating makes these cookies irresistible!

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what are apple cider sugar cookies?

This cookie is full of fall flavors. Reduced apple cider and applesauce give these cookies the apple flavor. Then they are spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and coated with cinnamon and sugar before baking. They are soft, chewy and somewhere between a sugar cookie and a snickerdoodle, with flavors like an apple cider donut. Definitely perfect for a chilly fall day!

why you will love this easy fall cookie recipe

• Quick and easy! The cookie dough is simple to make and the dough only needs to chill while the oven preheats.
• Soft and chewy! Cornstarch gets added to the dough, which helps to create a super soft cookie. We also use more brown sugar than granulated sugar, which adds the chewiness to the softness.
• Full of fall flavors! Apple cider has a sweet and slightly tart flavor profile, which pairs beautifully with nutmeg, cinnamon and sugar.

ingredients for these apple cider cookies

• All-purpose flour ~ for structure and texture.
• Baking powder and baking soda ~ gives the cookies a little bit of lift.
• Cornstarch ~ helps create a tender and soft cookie.
• Kosher salt ~ to balance the flavors.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg ~ perfect fall spices that compliment the apple cider.
• Unsalted butter ~ for flavor and richness.
• Brown sugar ~ for sweetness, moisture and adding the soft and chewy factor.
• Granulated sugar ~ just a little for the cookies and for rolling the cookies in before baking.
• Large egg yolk ~ for structure and moisture.
• Unsweetened applesauce ~ for flavor and moisture.
• Reduced apple cider ~ adds apple flavor to the cookies. By reducing the cider, the juice becomes thick with a molasses-like consistency. Reducing the apple cider also intensifies the flavor and allows us to add it to the cookie dough without adding too much liquid.

what is reduced apple cider?

Reduced apple cider is fresh cider that has been boiled to remove a lot of the liquid. The end result is a thick syrup with an intensified flavor.

There are many techniques to reduce cider, but for this recipe we go with a fairly quick one. See the recipe card for directions and this step can be done ahead of time. King Arthur Baking has a great article if you want to look at a low and slow version of creating boiled cider concentrate.

let's make homemade apple cookies!

Start by reducing the apple cider and allow it to cool to room temperature. Next create the cinnamon sugar coating and set aside. Then whisk together the dry ingredients and also set them aside.

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or with a hand held mixer {this is the one I have}, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Then add the egg yolk, unsweetened applesauce and reduced apple cider and mix until fully combined.

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Finally add in the dry ingredients on low in a few additions, scraping down the bowl at least once. Mix until just a few streaks of flour remain and use a spatula to bring the dough fully together.

Then use about two tablespoons of dough {I use a size 30 cookie scoop} per cookie and roll the dough into balls and coat in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This is the same method as my pumpkin gingerbread cookies, red velvet sugar cookies and pumpkin cake cookies. Once the cookies have been coated, place them on a prepared baking sheet pan and lightly press them down.

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Now chill the prepared cookies while you preheat the oven.

Once the oven has reached temperature {this is the oven thermometer I use~affiliate link}, bake the cookies for about 10 minutes and the edges are set.

The cookies will spread when baking. If you would like to thicken them back up, use a biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter that is slightly larger than the cookies and scoot them back into a thicker and perfectly round cookie. Do this when the cookies are still hot right out of the oven. I learned this technique from Erin at Cloudy Kitchen and I use it very often when making cookies.

Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 3-4 minutes, then move to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

video tutorial for apple cider sugar cookies

what is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

In researching the differences, this is what I found:

Apple cider is created from raw apples that have been mashed and pressed, but have not undergone the filtration process. The result is a sweet and tart flavor and a cloudy, caramel{ish} color. Apple cider is usually unpasteurized, so it needs to be refrigerated.

On the other hand, apple juice has typically been filtered and cooked, which changes the color and texture of the final juice. Apple juice is typically lighter and sweeter than cider and due to the pasteurization process usually has a longer shelf life.

can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

I have not tested this recipe with apple juice, but I don't see why a store-bought, unfiltered, unsweetened apple juice wouldn't also work. I would expect a less pronounced apple flavor with apple juice though.

why use cornstarch in cookies?

Cornstarch helps to create ultra soft and tender cookies. I use it in my family's favorite chocolate chippers recipe and love what this ingredient brings to baked goods.

Remember to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram if you make these Apple Cider Sugar Cookies. It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!

favorite apple dessert recipes

• Homemade Apple Spice Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
• Cinnamon Apple Crostata
• Apple Cider Banana Bread

If you make this recipe {or any recipe!} from two sugar bugs please come back and leave a review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating.  I read every comment, and I LOVE hearing from you!