There’s something ridiculously nostalgic about the smell of apples and caramel wafting from the oven. These Caramel Apple Cider Cookies are like a hug from autumn. They’re soft, chewy, and hiding a melty caramel core that surprises you just when you think you’ve had enough. We make these every fall without fail. And by ‘we’, I mean me—and the curious family members who magically show up when they smell butter and apples doing their thing. They come out golden with crinkly tops, like little fall miracles you didn’t know your oven was capable of. Whether you’re whipping these up for a bake sale or just need a sweet escape after a long day, they hit the spot. They come together without a fuss and check every box for those of us who want a warm dessert fast. And hey, they’re cookies—so there’s no such thing as ‘too many’.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
- 4) How to Make Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
- 5) Tips for Making Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
- 6) Making Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
- 8) Try these cookies next!
- 9) Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Soft, chewy cookies with caramel centers that melt in your mouth
- Features instant apple cider mix for a bold, comforting flavor
- Perfect for gift bags, bake sales, or curling up with a warm drink
- Quick prep and easy cleanup, great for weeknight cravings
2) Easy Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Recipe
We’ve all had those days when our sweet tooth barges in like it owns the place. That’s when I reach for this caramel apple cookie recipe. It’s got that comforting cinnamon-apple aroma that makes your kitchen feel like a fall bakery.
The real hero here? The soft caramel in the center. You bite into what seems like an ordinary chewy cookie, and boom—warm, sweet gooeyness. It’s the kind of surprise that keeps people asking for the recipe. This is one of those sweet easy recipes I keep in my back pocket year-round.
Plus, no fancy tools or mixers are needed. You can whip up a batch faster than you can scroll through dessert recipes easy on your phone. This cookie recipe isn’t just tasty—it’s stress-free, no-fuss baking. The kind that lets you lick the spoon and not worry about the mess.
3) Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Unsalted Butter: This is your base. Softened butter blends smoother and makes a fluffier dough. Cold butter will fight you the whole way, so let it rest on the counter a bit.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with spreading. No brown sugar here—we want the apple cider flavor to shine.
Salt: Just a pinch keeps things from tasting flat. Don’t skip it, or the cookies will lack depth.
Instant Apple Cider Mix: The main character. We use the whole box—yes, every packet—so the flavor is strong and cozy. It’s what makes this a caramel apple cookie recipe, not just another caramel cookie.
Eggs: Two eggs help bind everything and give the cookies their rich texture.
Vanilla Extract: A splash adds warmth and rounds out the apple flavor. Always worth it.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Together they create lift without making the cookies cakey.
All-Purpose Flour: Just the right amount to hold the caramel without being too dense.
Soft Caramel Candies: These are the gooey surprise in the middle. Don’t use hard caramels unless you want to risk a dental bill.
4) How to Make Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This will save you from caramel-welded trays.
Step 2. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar, salt, and cider mix until it’s light and fluffy. I use a wooden spoon—old school, but it works.
Step 3. Add the eggs and vanilla, and stir until everything looks silky and smells like a candle you’d pay too much for.
Step 4. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Then gradually mix it into the wet ingredients.
Step 5. Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Flatten them a little and press a caramel candy into the center. Wrap the dough around it so it’s completely covered.
Step 6. Place them on your baking sheet with room to spread. Bake for about 12 minutes or until the edges just start to brown.
Step 7. Let them cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then move to a wire rack. Or, you know, directly to your mouth. I won’t judge.
5) Tips for Making Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
If you’re stuffing the dough with caramel, make sure it’s well hidden. Any exposed caramel will melt out and glue your cookie to the tray. That’s a lesson I learned the hard way.
Use a cookie scoop if you have one. It makes portioning easier and helps the cookies bake evenly. It’s also great for keeping your hands clean—at least until you start taste testing the dough.
Want to turn these into easy sweet snack recipes for a crowd? Double the batch and pop half in the freezer before baking. They’ll be ready to go the next time you need a cozy pick-me-up. Works every time.
6) Making Caramel Apple Cider Cookies Ahead of Time
If you want to prep ahead, just make the dough and chill it. You can even pre-stuff the caramels, roll them into balls, and freeze the whole lot. No need to thaw before baking—just add a minute to the oven time.
I like to make a double batch on lazy Sunday afternoons. I freeze half and bake half. That way I always have a stash ready for unexpected guests—or those nights when you binge watch holiday movies.
This recipe proves that simple homemade sweets easy recipes don’t have to be boring or bland. With a little planning, you can bake a cookie that tastes like it came from a fancy bakery.
7) Storing Leftover Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Once baked, keep your cookies in an airtight container. They’ll stay soft for three days, maybe longer if you hide them well. I won’t tell if you don’t share.
To bring back that melty caramel magic, zap one in the microwave for 8 seconds. Not 10—8. Trust me. After that, the caramel gets lava-like, and you’ll burn your mouth. I speak from experience.
If you’ve ever looked up quick and easy dessert recipes, these should be on your list. They’re that good, that simple, and that reliable. Plus, they make your kitchen smell amazing.
8) Try these cookies next!
9) Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Caramel Apple Cider Cookies – Soft & Chewy Caramel Apple Cookie Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 box (7.4 oz) instant apple cider drink mix (10 packets)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 bag soft caramel candies, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter, sugar, salt, and apple cider mix until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until combined.
- Whisk together baking soda, baking powder, and flour. Gradually mix into wet ingredients.
- Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Flatten slightly and press a caramel into the center. Wrap dough around caramel to seal it in.
- Place dough balls on baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake 12 minutes or until edges are just golden. Cool on pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 cookie | Calories: 175 | Sugar: 15g | Sodium: 70mg | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Carbohydrates: 25g | Fiber: 1g | Protein: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg
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