Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
If you’re craving a cozy, fall-inspired treat that perfectly balances sweet, spiced, and buttery flavors, these Caramel Apple Cider Cookies are about to become your new favorite. Imagine tender cookies bursting with the warm essence of apple cider spices and pockets of soft caramel bits that melt into every bite. These delightful cookies bring together the nostalgic flavors of autumn in a way that’s both comforting and irresistibly delicious, making them perfect for sharing or simply enjoying with a mug of your favorite tea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are delightfully straightforward but each plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect taste and texture. From the creamy butter that provides richness to the Alpine spiced apple cider mix that infuses a unique warmth, every element enhances the magic happening in these Caramel Apple Cider Cookies.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Room temperature butter ensures a smooth, creamy base for your cookie dough.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the spices.
- 5 packets Alpine spiced apple cider mix: These are the star flavor boosters that give the cookies that authentic apple cider warmth and complexity.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients together and helps with the soft, chewy texture.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a subtle depth to the flavor, enhancing the other ingredients.
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure for the cookies to hold their shape.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise softly while keeping them tender.
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder: Works with baking soda to create a light, airy texture.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds an extra touch of cozy spice that complements the apple cider perfectly.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
- 1 cup Kraft caramel bits: Small pockets of gooey caramel that deliver bursts of sweetness and a wonderfully chewy surprise inside each cookie.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350℉ to get it nicely warmed up for baking. Line your half-sheet trays with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat—this prevents the cookies from sticking and helps ensure even baking for that perfect golden finish.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Sugar, and Apple Cider Mix
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and the alpine spiced apple cider mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is where the magic begins, as the spices blend beautifully with the sugar and butter, setting the stage for an aromatic dough.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Mix in one large egg and the vanilla extract. These add moisture and bring everything together, helping your cookies keep a soft texture and rich flavor throughout.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This combination ensures your cookies will bake up with the perfect rise, subtle spice, and balanced saltiness.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet Mixture
Slowly add your dry ingredients into the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Over-mixing can make the cookies tough, so make sure to stop as soon as the dough comes together.
Step 6: Fold in the Caramel Bits
Gently fold in those lovely Kraft caramel bits. These little gems provide sweet, melty pockets of caramel that make each bite extra special and indulgent.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a medium #40 scoop, which is about 1.5 tablespoons, spoon the dough into neat balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake the caramel apple cider cookies at 350℉ for 11 to 12 minutes—keep a close eye to avoid overbaking. While the cookies are still warm, gently press the edges inward with a spatula or a round cookie cutter to keep the edges soft if caramel has melted out.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray until firm enough to transfer to a wire rack. This cooling period lets them set perfectly so your cookies are soft but sturdy with that amazing chewy caramel center.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies shine on their own, but a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty, festive touch that hints at frost-kissed apples on a crisp fall morning. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, drizzle a bit of melted caramel over the tops right before serving for added glamour and gooey goodness.
Side Dishes
Pair your Caramel Apple Cider Cookies with a warm drink for the ultimate cozy experience—think spiced chai tea, a hot apple cider, or a rich cup of coffee. For a party, serving them alongside a sharp cheddar cheese platter or caramel popcorn complements the sweet and spiced notes beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive display, stack these cookies on a rustic wooden board garnished with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies around a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a seasonal ice cream sandwich that’s both playful and delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Caramel Apple Cider Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and tasty for up to five days—perfect for quick snacks or unexpected guests.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or freeze fully baked cookies. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen dough balls can be baked straight from the freezer, simply add a couple of extra minutes to baking time.
Reheating
To reclaim that just-baked warmth, pop your cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm briefly in a preheated oven at 300℉ for 5 minutes. This will soften the caramel bits and refresh the cookie’s soft texture beautifully.
FAQs
Can I substitute the Alpine spiced apple cider mix?
While the Alpine spiced apple cider mix is key for that authentic flavor, you can try using your favorite spiced apple cider powder or a blend of apple pie spice and powdered sugar. Just be mindful that the flavor and sweetness might differ slightly.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive friends.
Can I use caramel chunks instead of caramel bits?
Absolutely! If you prefer bigger pockets of caramel goo, chopping up caramel chunks works wonderfully—just keep them roughly the size of the bits so they melt evenly during baking.
What’s the best way to avoid spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps keep the cookies from spreading too widely and ensures they stay soft and thick. Also, be sure to space them well on your baking sheet.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
To make dairy-free Caramel Apple Cider Cookies, swap the butter for a good-quality vegan butter substitute and use dairy-free caramel bits or skip them in favor of a similar flavor like chopped dried apples mixed with a bit of brown sugar.
Final Thoughts
These Caramel Apple Cider Cookies are a cozy hug baked into a treat—whether you’re baking for family, friends, or to brighten a regular day. Their inviting aroma and perfect balance of spice and sweetness effortlessly embody the best moments of fall. So go ahead, gather the ingredients and give these irresistible cookies a try—you’ll definitely want to keep this recipe close for every upcoming season.
Print
Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the warm flavors of fall with these Caramel Apple Cider Cookies. Infused with spiced apple cider mix and loaded with sweet caramel bits, these soft, chewy cookies are perfect for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (stir, spoon & level)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, room temperature)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 5 packets Alpine spiced apple cider mix (NOT sugar free – found near hot chocolate or coffee aisle)
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup Kraft Caramel Bits
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350℉. Line half sheet trays with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and Alpine spiced apple cider mix until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix well until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk or stir together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Add Caramel Bits: Gently fold in the caramel bits to evenly distribute throughout the cookie dough. Using a medium #40 scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), portion the dough into balls and place them 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, about 8 cookies per tray.
- Bake and Shape: Bake at 350℉ for 11-12 minutes. Do not overbake; the cookies should be just set. While still warm, gently press the edges of the cookies inward with a spatula or round cookie cutter, especially if the caramel has melted at the edges, to maintain shape. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet until firm enough to transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, do not substitute sugar-free apple cider mix, as it affects flavor and texture.
- If caramel bits melt excessively during baking, pressing the edges helps maintain a neat shape.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- For a stronger apple cider flavor, you may add ½ tsp of apple cider extract if available.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 35g)
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: caramel apple cider cookies, spiced cookies, fall cookies, caramel bits cookies, autumn desserts, apple cider baking
