Description
Soft and chewy cookies infused with fresh apple cider and gooey caramel chunks, perfect for cozy autumn days. These easy-to-make cookies offer a unique fall flavor without the usual pumpkin overload.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed (200g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) fresh apple cider
- 10–12 caramel squares, unwrapped and chopped into ¼ inch pieces
Instructions
- Chop caramel squares into small chunks and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes with an electric mixer).
- Add egg, vanilla extract, and apple cider to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in chopped caramel pieces gently with a spatula.
- Optional but recommended: cover dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Scoop dough balls about 2 tablespoons each onto baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain slightly soft.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
Use fresh apple cider (not spiced) for best flavor. Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and keeps caramel pockets intact. Chop caramel into small ¼ inch pieces to avoid melting and burning. Store cookies with a slice of bread to keep them soft. Cookies look underdone when removed but firm up while cooling. Overbaking dries them out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: apple cider cookies, caramel cookies, fall cookies, autumn dessert, soft chewy cookies, easy cookie recipe