If you like apple cider donuts you will absolutely love these Vegan Apple Cider Cookies. Soft, spicy cookies brushed with homemade apple cider caramel and tossed in a gorgeous cinnamon-sugar mixture. These are the perfect cookies for fall! Let's learn how to make them!
There's nothing better than season-forward cookies! These vegan apple cider cookies are the epitome of fall flavor - sweet, tart AND spicy! Autumn perfection.
If you're new to vegan baking (or simply want to up your game), be sure to check out our How to Make Vegan Cookies post. Here you'll find great tips to ensure you always get the best results.
Looking for more fall-inspired vegan cookies? Try our Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies and our Vegan Pumpkin Sugar Cookies.
Ingredients in vegan apple cider cookies:
Here is your grocery list for these amazing cookies:
- vegan butter: Provides richness, moisture, and creates a tender, chewy texture while enhancing the flavor.
- granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies spread slightly during baking.
- light brown sugar: Adds a deeper flavor with molasses notes and contributes to a soft, chewy texture.
- vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, complementing the spices and apple cider.
- reduced apple cider: Concentrates the apple flavor, adding a tangy sweetness that defines the cookies.
- cornstarch: Acts as a binder in place of eggs, while also keeping the cookies soft and tender.
- baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and spread, giving them the right texture.
- salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the depth of the other flavors.
- spices: Adds warm, rich, and nutty notes that pair perfectly with the apple cider.
- all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough, giving the cookies structure and body.
Why you'll love these cookies:
Here are some reasons why you'll fall in love with these vegan apple cider cookies:
- Rich Apple Flavor: The reduced apple cider infuses the cookies with a concentrated, tangy-sweet apple essence.
- Warm Spices: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves creates a cozy, autumnal flavor that’s perfect for fall.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: Vegan butter and brown sugar work together to create a melt-in-your-mouth, tender cookie.
- Vegan-Friendly: The recipe is plant-based, making it suitable for a wide range of diets without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Easy to Make: The ingredients are simple and the process straightforward, making these cookies beginner-friendly.
- Seasonal Charm: They’re an ideal treat for fall gatherings, holidays, or any time you crave something cozy and flavorful.
How to make vegan apple cider cookies (with pictures!):
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full instructions and ingredient measurements.
Begin by placing the apple cider in a saucepan on the stove and simmering until it has reduced from 3 cups to ½ cup. Set aside to cool.
Cream together the vegan butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl. Add half of the reduced apple cider, vanilla, cornstarch, spices and salt. Beat until well distributed. Add in the flour and mix until just-combined. Do not over-mix.
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the coating, mix together the rest of the reduced apple cider and the melted vegan butter. Brush mixture onto cooled cookies, one at a time.
Toss cookies in spicy sugar mixture until well-coated. Enjoy!
Recipe tips and tricks:
- Reduce the Cider Properly: Boil the apple cider until it reduces to a thick, syrupy consistency (about ¼ of its original volume). This intensifies the apple flavor without adding excess liquid.
- Use Quality Apple Cider: Choose a fresh, high-quality apple cider for the best flavor. Avoid apple juice, as it lacks the richness and complexity of cider.
- Don’t Over-mix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Don’t Over-bake: Bake until the edges are set, but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, ensuring a chewy texture.
- Get Ahead: Reduce the apple cider a day in advance and chill overnight. Keep in mind that this will solidify the mixture. You'll need to pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to make it brush-able.
Can vegans have apple cider?
Yes, vegans can typically have apple cider! Apple cider is made from pressed apples and is usually vegan-friendly since it’s free of animal-derived ingredients. However, there are a few things to watch out for:
- Filtering Agents: Some brands may use animal-derived fining agents (like gelatin or isinglass) during the filtering process, though this is more common in alcoholic cider than in non-alcoholic apple cider.
- Added Ingredients: Check the ingredient list for non-vegan additives like honey or dairy-based flavorings, which are rare but possible.
- Cross-Contamination: While unlikely, if you’re purchasing cider from a facility that processes non-vegan items, there may be cross-contamination concerns for strict vegans.
Most fresh or store-bought non-alcoholic apple cider is safe for vegans to enjoy!
Frequently asked questions:
No, the reduced apple cider is essential for giving the cookies their distinct apple flavor. Without it, the cookies will lose a lot of their signature taste.
If you don't have apple cider, you can use applesauce or apple butter as a substitute. These alternatives will help provide the desired apple flavor.
es, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be sure to cover it well to prevent it from drying out.
To achieve soft and chewy cookies, make sure not to over-bake them. Follow the recommended baking time in the recipe, and remove the cookies from the oven when they are slightly undercooked as they continue to set while cooling.
Yes, you can omit the coating if you prefer plain Vegan Apple Cider Cookies. However, the coating adds a delightful flavor and texture, so it's recommended for the full experience.
Storing vegan apple cider cookies:
Properly storing Vegan Apple Cider Cookies is essential to keep them fresh and maintain their texture and flavor. Before storing the cookies, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container.
Transfer the cooled cookies into an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Cookies will keep for 2-3 days stored this way.
If you want to store the cookies for an extended period, you can freeze them. Place the cookies in an airtight container or resealable freezer bags, separating layers with parchment paper. Enjoy frozen cookies for up to a month.
If you make this recipe be sure to tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!
PrintVegan Apple Cider Cookies
If you like apple cider donuts you will love these apple cider cookies! Soft, spicy cookies brushed with apple cider caramel and tossed in cinnamon-sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 2-inch Cookies 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
3 cups apple cider*
For the Cookies
1 cup vegan butter
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup reduced apple cider
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
pinch of ground cloves
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
For the Coating
¼ cup reduced apple cider
3 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of ground allspice
pinch of ground cloves
Instructions
- Reduce Apple Cider: Pour apple cider into a small saucepan and heat on the stove over medium. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until cider has reduced to ½ cup. The consistency will be that of maple syrup. Allow to cool completely before moving on to step 2. This will make the apple cider flavor much more concentrated. This step is NOT optional.
- Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the vegan butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 1 minute. Add vanilla extract, ¼ cup reduced apple cider, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cloves. Beat again until ingredients are well-distributed. Add flour to the bowl and mix until just-combined. Cover bowl and chill for at least one hour. Overnight works best.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 2 tablespoon balls of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet leaving 2 inches between each. Bake on center rack of preheated oven for 12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Coating: In a small cup combine the remaining ¼ cup of reduced apple cider and melted vegan butter. On a plate or in a flat-style bowl, combine the sugar and the spices.
- Assemble: Brush cooled cookies (one at a time) lightly and evenly with the apple cider-vegan butter mixture. Immediately place cookies into the sugar and spice mixture and toss around until evenly coated. Continue until all cookies are covered.
Notes
*Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
*Reducing the apple cider is super important! While it takes a while to reduce from 3 cups to ½ cup, it is a necessary step if you want the flavor to be noticeable in the cookies.
More vegan apple desserts:
- Vegan Apple Cider Donuts
- Vegan Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes
- Homemade Apple Cider
- Vegan Apple Crisp
- Vegan Apple Coffee Cake
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