These Sourdough Apple Cider Cookies are a warm hug in cookie form! Full of soft, chewy goodness and a hint of apple flavor, they bring fall vibes to your plate.
They are easy to make and perfect for sharing (or keeping for yourself!). I love baking a batch and enjoying them with a cozy drink. Who can resist a sweet cookie? 🍏🍪
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Sourdough Starter: A cup of active sourdough starter is essential for a slight tang and chewy texture. If you don’t have any, you can use a commercial yeast packet, but that changes the flavor a bit.
Apple Cider: Use fresh apple cider for the best flavor. If you can’t find it, apple juice works as a substitute, though it might be less intense. You can even make your own by blending apples and straining the juice!
Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred so you can control the salt level. If you need a dairy-free option, coconut oil or vegan butter can replace it, though texture may vary slightly.
Apples: Granny Smith apples add tartness, but you can use any firm variety, like Honeycrisp or Fuji, depending on your taste. Diced pears can also be an interesting twist!
How Do I Make Sure My Cookies Have the Right Texture?
Texture is key for these cookies, and there are a few tips to keep in mind. The combination of sourdough and a reduced apple cider adds chewiness and moisture.
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. Overly warm butter can flatten cookies.
- Don’t skip the step of reducing the apple cider as it concentrates the flavor and avoids overly wet dough.
- Watch the baking time; slightly underbaking will keep them soft. They will firm up as they cool!
Feel free to adjust spices based on your preference for warmth or sweetness. Happy baking! 🍏
Sourdough Apple Cider Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter (100% hydration, unfed or discard)
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup diced peeled apple (Granny Smith or similar)
- Optional: Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prep and around 12-15 minutes to bake. Plus, you’ll want to allow time for the apple cider to cool after boiling. Overall, expect to spend about 30-45 minutes to enjoy these delicious cookies from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare to Bake:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to make cleanup easier and prevent sticking.
2. Reduce the Apple Cider:
Take a small saucepan and pour in the apple cider. Bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer until it thickens and reduces to about 1/4 cup, which should take around 15-20 minutes. Afterward, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cider to cool completely.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Make sure everything is well combined and then set the mixture aside. This dry mix will add all the yummy flavor!
4. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat it until the mixture looks light and fluffy—that’s the good stuff!
5. Combine Wet Ingredients:
Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and the active sourdough starter to the bowl. Mix everything together until it’s well blended.
6. Add Apple Cider Reduction:
Now, pour the cooled apple cider reduction into your wet mixture and stir until it’s nicely incorporated. This gives your cookies that delicious apple flavor!
7. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Use a low speed on your mixer or mix by hand until everything is just combined—don’t overmix, or your cookies might be tough!
8. Fold in the Apples:
Gently fold in the diced apple pieces by hand. This will add little bursts of fruitiness to your cookies.
9. Scoop the Dough:
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie dough mound, as they will spread while baking.
10. Sprinkle Sea Salt (Optional):
If you like, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top of each mound of cookie dough to enhance the flavor.
11. Bake the Cookies:
Place your baking sheets in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. You want to see the edges turn golden and the centers to look set but still soft to ensure they stay chewy.
12. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the sweet aroma filling your kitchen!
13. Enjoy!
Now, it’s time to treat yourself! These soft, cinnamon-spiced sourdough apple cider cookies are perfect with a cup of tea, coffee, or apple cider. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Can I Use a Different Type of Sugar?
Absolutely! You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or even a sweetener like maple syrup. Keep in mind that using liquid sweeteners may change the moisture content, so you might want to adjust the flour accordingly.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Have Active Sourdough Starter?
If you don’t have active sourdough starter, you can use about 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce in place of the starter. This will keep the cookies moist and add extra apple flavor!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to a month. Just make sure to separate them with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
Can I Omit the Apple Pieces?
Yes, you can omit the diced apple if you prefer! You can substitute them with chocolate chips or nuts for a different twist, or just enjoy the spiced cookie flavor on its own.