Apple Cider Donut Cookies

These apple cider cookies are beyond scrumptious, whipped together with an apple cider reduction, cinnamon sugar coating, and sweet glaze. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice enhance the apple for the perfect flavor combination. 

Apple cider cookies

Which sweet combination has your heart? 

I love baking with classic flavor combinations, like chocolate and peanut butter or cherry and almond; some ingredients just belong together in cookie recipes.

Today’s recipe plays on a very special pairing – apple and cinnamon spice. 

My apple cider donut cookies are ultra comforting, infused with warm spices and apple cider reduction. Each bite is like a little pillowy hug. A cinnamon sugar coating and sweet apple glaze make this recipe extra special, reminiscent of sweet mini donuts at the county fair. 

Want to make your own? You made the right choice! Follow along as I share my recipe for apple cider cookies. 

Ingredients needed

Here’s a little bit on everything that goes into my apple cider donut cookies. 

• Apple cider: These cookies get their incredible flavor from 3 cups of apple cider, plus 2 tablespoons for a sweet glaze. 
• All-purpose flour: The base of this recipe is 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour.
• Baking powder + soda: I use 1 tsp baking powder and ½ tsp baking soda to make these donut cookies puffy and pillowy soft.
• Salt: ½ tsp salt works as a flavor enhancer. 
• Cinnamon: 1 tsp ground cinnamon is a natural pairing with apple cider. I also use 1 tsp for the cinnamon sugar coating and ¼ tsp in the glaze. 
• Allspice: 1 tsp allspice gives these cookies a warm depth. 
• Nutmeg: I use ½ tsp nutmeg for its warm and nutty flavor. 
• Butter: 3/4 cup of softened unsalted butter makes these donut cookies moist and chewy. Feel free to also turn this into brown butter, that would be delicious.
• Sugar: These cookies require a healthy dose of sugar! I use ½ cup white sugar and ½ cup light brown sugar in the dough, ½ cup white sugar for the cinnamon sugar coating, and 1 cup powdered sugar for the apple glaze. 
• Egg: 1 egg helps to bind our ingredients together and provide extra leavening support. 
• Vanilla: Last but not least, I add 1 tsp vanilla extract to the cookie dough for a sweet addition; it’s a baking essential!

Kitchen tools required

Gather a few kitchen essentials to make these chewy apple cider donut cookies. 

• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Glass jar
• 2 Small mixing bowls
• Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

You’ll also need some measuring cups, including 1 cup, ½ cup, ¼ cup, 1 tbsp, 1 tsp, ½ tsp, and ¼ tsp. 

How to make apple cider cookies

These donut cookies are easy to make but require a couple of extra steps to make a truly delicious dessert. Here’s how to do it!

Prepare the batter

The first step in these donut cookies is making an apple cider reduction.

Add 3 cups of apple cider to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce your heat to a medium simmer and stir occasionally for 35-40 minutes, or until the cider has reduced to about ¼ cup. This process thickens the cider to a jammy, syrupy texture. 

Add your reduced apple cider to a glass jar, let it cool for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes. 

Next, our donut batter! In a small mixing bowl, add 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp allspice, and ½ tsp nutmeg. Whisk well and set aside. 

Mix your wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Add ¾ cup softened butter, ½ cup white sugar, and ½ cup brown sugar, beating until combined. Then, beat in one egg and 1 tsp vanilla. Finally, pour in ¼ cup of apple cider reduction and beat. 

Slowly beat your dry ingredients into your wet mixture until well combined. Then, refrigerate your donut dough for a minimum of one hour. 

Bake and enjoy your apple cider cookies

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.

Mix a quick cinnamon sugar coating using ½ cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Roll your dough into 32 balls, then roll each into your cinnamon sugar coating. 

Arrange the balls on your tray and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.

While the cookies are cooling, whisk up a quick glaze in a small mixing bowl, including 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider, and ¼ tsp cinnamon. Drizzle over cooled cookies and they’re ready to serve!

Recipe tips

Below are some common apple cider cookie questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

How to serve apple cider cookies

These cookies make a tasty dessert or sweet snack when the mood strikes. Serve warm or at room temperature, preferably with a delicious beverage like chai, black tea, or classic apple cider. 

You can even up the ante with a cozy apple cider cocktail! I have recipes for an Apple Cider Spritz, Apple Cider Margarita, and Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail that’ll do just the trick. 

Can I make these apple cider cookies gluten-free? 

Sure thing! Sub your all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. This may affect the texture a bit (gluten-free baking tends to crumble!), but your cookies will still be delicious. 

Note that gluten-free baking can take a bit longer in the oven. Lower your oven temperature by about 20 degrees and bake for a couple of extra minutes until your cookies are lightly golden. 

Storing leftovers

Let leftover apple cider cookies cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. 

They’ll keep well on the counter for up to 3 days. Add pieces of parchment paper between cookie layers to keep the glaze from sticking. 

Avoid refrigerating these cookies, as this will make them dry. 

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

On the hunt for more warm and inviting desserts? I highly recommend sampling these recipes next:

• Healthy Banana Bread
• Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls
• Healthy Pecan Pie Bars
• Almond Cherry Crisp Recipe
• Healthy Blueberry Cobbler

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa