apple cider donut snickerdoodle

I don’t think there’s a better fall treat than a fresh, warm apple cider donut, and the cookie version is an equal rival. These apple cider donut cookies are full of apple cider flavor and rolled in cinnamon sugar for that classic apple cider donut vibe.

why you’ll love apple cider donut cookies

• These apple cider donut snickerdoodles are so many levels above regular snickerdoodles thanks to the inclusion of apple cider that has been boiled down into a flavorful syrup.
• These cookies are so easy to make and have a low amount of chill time.
• These cookies use brown butter, which means they are extra tasty, and you also don’t need to remember to take your butter out of the fridge.

ingredients in apple cider donut cookies

• butter– I always use unsalted butter in my recipes so I can accurately tell you how much salt to add, but the truth is that when I’m just baking personally, I often use salted butter and nothing is ever too salty. 
• apple cider– Make sure to get apple cider that has spices and is a deeper color rather than apple juice.
• granulated sugar- To use in both the cookie and in the cinnamon sugar coating.
• brown sugar– Rather than just use granulated sugar, this recipe also uses brown sugar to give a little extra chew to these cookies.
• salt– Diamond Crystal kosher salt is the best type of salt for baking and cooking, so I totally recommend grabbing a box here on Amazon or here at The Spice House where you can use my code EMILYLOGGANS for 10% off. It will last a while. If all you have is regular table salt, use only half the amount of salt the recipe calls for. In this case, you would use ½ teaspoon of regular table salt rather than 1 teaspoon of Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
• vanilla– I use vanilla bean paste because the flavor is more intense and generally better, but vanilla extract is just fine here.
• egg– just a single whole egg to provide some structure and chew
• all purpose flour– for structure
• baking soda– for some spreading and crisping
• baking powder or cream of tartar– for lift
• cinnamon– . This one is my favorite, and you can use my code EMILYLOGGANS for 10% off at The Spice House. They also have this pack of three different cinnamons so you can taste test them all.
• nutmeg– Just a little nutmeg goes a long way, and it adds a nice warmth and extra layer of flavor. Try grinding your own for the most amazing flavor (just use a microplane) or you can use ground nutmeg if you prefer. (You can use my discount code EMILYLOGGANS for 10% off at The Spice House.)
• cloves– You just need a tiny amount, but it rounds out that apple cider flavor! Here’s a link to a fresh jar of cloves if yours is getting old.

*You can use my code EMILYLOGGANS for 10% off at The Spice House. I love to get my vanilla extract, almond extract, kosher salt, and spices from there!

supplies you’ll need to make apple cider donut cookies

• whisk & a bowl– Something nice about this recipe is it doesn’t require a mixer. All you need is a whisk and a bowl.
• saucepan– to brown the butter
• hand mixer– to make the frosting (unless you have really strong biceps and can use a wire whisk)
• spatula– A spatula is essential to scrape down the bowl throughout the process. Without scraping, you’ll end up with an unevenly mixed dough and cookies that are inconsistent. 
• scale– If there’s one thing I can convince you of, please let it be a kitchen scale. 🙏🏻Using a scale makes everything easier with baking, and it ensures you get the same results every time. Flour is so easy to over-add with volume measurements, and a scale solves that problem.
• parchment paper– So helpful for keeping cookie sheets clean, preventing sticking, and preventing over baking the bottoms!
• baking sheets– I use these cookie sheets for years, and they are amazing as are these from Nordic Ware.
• cookie scoop– I like to use a #30 cookie scoop for these.
• large round metal cookie cutter– to “scoot” the cookies after baking

watch how to make apple cider donut cookies

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