These apple cider cookies taste just like apple cider donuts! These cookies are made with reduced apple cider, brown butter, and cinnamon. They are dipped in browned butter apple cider and rolled in cinnamon sugar. To take the cookies to the next level, they are drizzled with apple cider glaze.

Apple cider cookies with an apple cider glaze on top.

When I was recipe testing these apple cider cookies, I wanted the cookies to taste just like the donuts but in cookie form. I didn’t want them to just be snickerdoodle cookies, but to taste like apple cider with a strong apple flavor.

I found that reducing the apple cider gives them a very strong apple cider flavor. They taste just like fall!

For more fall cookie recipes, try Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cinnamon Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Toffee Cookies.

Try this Apple Cider Cheesecake and apple cider muffins.

Why This Apple Cider Cookie Recipe Works

  • Soft and chewy apple cider cookies- These cookies are very soft because of the apple cider and the applesauce. Which helps makes them taste more like the donuts!
  • Apple cider browned butter- Both inside the cookie dough there is both browned butter and apple cider. Also, the cookies get brushed with both before being dipped in cinnamon sugar.
  • Cinnamon sugar cookies- They are dipped in cinnamon sugar has a thick layer just like the donuts.
  • Apple cider glaze- The glaze is simple, it is just powdered sugar and apple cider. It gives the cookies an even stronger apple cider flavor.
Apple cider cookie split in half.

Step By Step Recipe Video

Ingredient Notes for Apple Cider Cookies

Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

  • Apple cider- I used apple cider from the grocery store.
  • Unsalted butter- The butter is browned and cooled completely.
  • Brown sugar- I used light brown sugar.
  • Egg- Pull the large egg out 2 hours before baking so it is room temperature.
  • Applesauce- Use unsweetened applesauce.
  • Powdered sugar- Make sure it is sifted to avoid a gritty frosting.

Step By Step Instructions

Here is how to make and bake these cookies. The recipe is made by hand, so no electric mixer is needed.

STEP 1: Brown the butter. In a medium frying pan over medium heat, heat the butter until it is melted. Heat the butter until the milk solids separate and turn amber in color.

Take off the heat and pour into a bowl. Take out 2 Tablespoons of the browned butter and place in a separate bowl. Cool the butter completely to room temperature.

STEP 2: Reduce the apple cider. In small saucepan over medium heat, heat the 1 cup of apple cider. Heat the cider for 10-15 minutes until it reduces to 1/4 cup apple cider.

Cool this completely before using

Wet ingredients in a bowl.
Apple cider in a bowl.

STEP 3: Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.

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STEP 4: Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the browned butter, reduced cider, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, egg, and apple sauce. Use a whisk to mix everything together.

STEP 5: Add in flour mixture. Next, add the dry ingredients and use a rubber spatula to mix until just combined.

Let the dough rest on the counter for 10-15 minutes while the oven preheats. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

This allows the gluten to absorb into the wet ingredients, which helps with the spread.

Cookie dough in a glass bowl
Cookie dough ball on a cookie sheet.

STEP 6: Scoop. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough. Place 6 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet.

STEP 7: Bake. Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes. They should be slightly thicker cookies.

Cool the cookies completely on a cooling rack.

Decorating the Cookies Tips

  • Brush the cooled cookies with apple cider browned butter while using a pastry brush. If the butter has cooled, melt in the microwave for 10 seconds.
  • Immediately dunk the cookies into the cinnamon sugar. Do just the tops of the cookies. Roll the cookie, dab the cookie, and make sure to get the sides. It should be thick layer of cinnamon sugar like these cookies.
  • Once they have all been dunked in cinnamon sugar, make the apple cider glaze. It should be thin enough to pour on top of the cookies.
  • Place the glaze in a piping bag, ziplock bag, or a squeeze bottle. Drizzle the glaze on top of the cookies.
Baked cookies on a wire rack.
Butter on top of cookie.
Cinnamon sugar cookie in a cinnamon sugar bowl.

FAQ

Can I make these into smaller cookies?

Yes you can. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop 12 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet. Bake for 8-11 minutes.

Can these cookie dough balls be frozen?

Yes they can! Store the cookie dough balls in an airtight container or use plastic wrap. Store in the freezer for 30 days. Let the cookie dough balls thaw before baking.

Does the apple cider need to be reduced?

Yes it does! It will give you a really strong apple cider flavor. A lot stronger than if you used regular apple cider.

More cookies with a glaze on top.

Storing and Freezing

Store the apple cider cookies at room temperature in an airtight container up to 5 days.

Freezing

Freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container and freeze up to 30 days. Thaw for 1-2 hours before eating.

Bite missing from apple cider cookie.

Other Cookie Recipes To Try

Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

Apple cider cookies with an apple cider glaze on top.
4.99 from 86 reviews

Apple Cider Cookies

These apple cider cookies taste just like apple cider donuts you would get from a farm! These cookies are made using brown butter apple cider, apple sauce, and a lot of cinnamon. They are brushed in apple cider brown butter and dipped in cinnamon sugar and topped with apple cider glaze.
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup Plus 4 Tablespoons Unsalted butter, browned
  • 1/4 cup Reduced apple cider, Start with 1 cup of apple cider
  • 1 1/4 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
  • 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 1 Large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup Apple sauce, unsweetened
  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking soda
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg

Apple Cider Butter

  • 2 TBSP Brown butter, use from the butter you browned for the dough
  • 1 TBSP Apple cider, regular apple cider not reduced.

Cinnamon Sugar

  • 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp Ground cinnamon

Apple Cider Glaze

  • 1 cup Powdered sugar
  • 2 1/2 TBSP Apple cider, regular apple cider not reduced.

Instructions
 

Apple Cider Cookies

  • In a medium frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Heat the butter until the milk solids separate and turn amber in color. Pour in a separate container. Take out 2 Tablespoons of butter and place in a separate bowl. Cool completely. You will have 1 cup total of brown butter for the cookie dough.
    1 cup Plus 4 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 cup apple cider. Cook for 15 minutes. The apple cider should reduce down to 1/4th cup.
    1/4 cup Reduced apple cider
  • In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
    3 cups All-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp Baking powder, 1/2 tsp Baking soda, 1 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
  • In a large bowl, mix the browned butter, apple cider, brown sugar, sugar, vanilla extract, egg, and apple sauce. Add in the dry ingredients and use a rubber spatula to mix until just combined.
    1 1/4 cup Brown sugar, 1/4 cup White granulated sugar, 1 Large egg, 1/4 cup Apple sauce, 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Let the dough rest while the oven preheats.
  • Use a large cookie scoop to scoop the dough. Place 6 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet.
  • Bake 13-15 minutes. Bake one tray at a time. Cool completely on a cooling rack.

Assembly

  • In a small bowl, mix the brown butter and apple cider. If the butter is solid from cooling, heat in the microwave for 10 seconds. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon.
    2 TBSP Brown butter, 1 TBSP Apple cider, 1/2 cup White granulated sugar, 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • Take a pastry brush to brush on the butter on the cookie. Immediately dunk in the cinnamon sugar. (do one cookie at a time). There should be a lot of cinnamon sugar on the cookie.
  • In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and apple cider. It should be thin enough to pour. Drizzle the glaze on top of the cookies.
    1 cup Powdered sugar, 2 1/2 TBSP Apple cider

Notes

Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the cookies and cause them not to spread
High altitude baking- Add an extra 2 TBSP of flour.
Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.
To quickly cool the apple cider and brown butter, place them both on a plate (separate plates) and place in the freezer for 10 minutes.ย 
The brown butter needs to be melted but room temperature before using.
Calories: 204kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.05g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Sodium: 212mg, Potassium: 59mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 1mg
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