Apple Cider Sandwich Cookies: A Cozy Fall Treat in Every Bite

When autumn rolls around, nothing captures the spirit of the season quite like the comforting aroma of apple cider and warm spices wafting through your kitchen. These Apple Cider Sandwich Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with cozy fall flavor. Imagine biting into a fluffy spiced cookie filled with a creamy vanilla buttercream — it’s like sipping hot cider by the fire, but in cookie form!

This recipe blends the nostalgia of homemade cookies with the rich, tangy sweetness of apple cider. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy nights in, or even as edible gifts for friends and family. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just dipping your toes into fall baking, this recipe is foolproof and delivers bakery-level results at home.

🍏 Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Sandwich Cookies

• Fall in a bite: The cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove give each cookie the perfect seasonal spice.
• Soft & fluffy texture: The apple cider keeps the cookies moist while enhancing the sweetness.
• Make-ahead friendly: These cookies taste even better the next day once the flavors meld.
• Customizable: Swap the filling flavor or drizzle with caramel for an irresistible twist.

Whether served at Thanksgiving or enjoyed with your morning coffee, these cookies are the definition of autumn comfort.

🧁 Ingredients

For the Cookie Batter:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cloves (optional but lovely for extra spice)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup apple cider

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp cream or milk

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat & prep:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Mix dry ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This ensures even spice distribution.
3. Cream butter & sugar:
   In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes with a hand or stand mixer.
4. Add wet ingredients:
   Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
5. Combine everything:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the apple cider. Start and end with the dry mixture. Mix until a smooth, soft dough forms.
6. Scoop & shape:
   Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten the tops with a spoon or your fingers.
7. Bake:
   Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until edges are set and tops look dry. The cookies should remain soft, not crispy.
8. Cool completely:
   Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the filling:
   In a separate bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add vanilla and just enough cream or milk to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
10. Assemble the cookies:
    Spread a generous layer of filling on the bottom of one cookie and sandwich it with another. Press gently until the filling just peeks out the edges.
11. Serve or store:
    Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Apple Cider Sandwich Cookies

Soft, spiced apple cider cookies sandwiched with creamy vanilla filling — a cozy fall treat perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 12 sandwich cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 220

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cookie Batter

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp nutmeg
• 0.25 tsp cloves optional
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 0.75 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 egg large
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup apple cider

Filling

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp cream or milk

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with apple cider, until a soft batter forms.
5. Drop batter onto baking sheets using a scoop, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly.
6. Bake 12–15 minutes until set and lightly golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
7. Beat softened butter with powdered sugar and vanilla. Add cream to reach desired filling consistency.
8. Sandwich cookies with filling, serve immediately or store in airtight container.

Notes

For extra flavor, reduce apple cider on the stove before using. This enhances its sweetness and apple aroma.

🍁 Tips for Perfect Apple Cider Sandwich Cookies

• Reduce your cider for stronger flavor: Simmer apple cider on the stove until it’s reduced by half for an even more intense apple taste.
• Add texture: Stir in finely chopped dried apples or toffee bits for a little crunch.
• Use a piping bag: For neat filling application, pipe the buttercream instead of spreading it with a knife.
• Spice swap: Add a pinch of allspice or cardamom for your own signature blend.

🎃 Variations

1. Caramel Apple Version:
   Add a drizzle of caramel sauce inside or on top of the sandwich cookies for a decadent twist.
2. Maple Buttercream Filling:
   Replace the vanilla extract in the filling with pure maple syrup for extra fall warmth.
3. Glazed Cookie Option:
   Skip the sandwich and instead drizzle cooled cookies with a glaze made from powdered sugar and cider.
4. Pumpkin Spice Upgrade:
   Add 2 tbsp pumpkin puree to the batter for a hybrid cookie that screams autumn.

☕ Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a mug of hot apple cider, chai tea, or pumpkin spice latte.
• Crumble leftover cookies into vanilla ice cream for an autumn dessert sundae.
• Pair with caramel dip for a cookie platter that’ll steal the show at any party.
• Stack them in cellophane bags tied with a twine bow for festive homemade gifts.

🍬 Fun Facts

Did you know apple cider has been a staple in American kitchens since colonial times? Families would make cider from fresh-pressed apples each fall, preserving its flavor through the cold months. Baking with cider adds not just sweetness but acidity, enhancing both texture and taste. When combined with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, you’re essentially bottling the flavor of autumn into each bite.

❤️ Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Store assembled cookies in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
• Freeze cookies (unfilled) for up to 2 months. Defrost before adding the filling.
• Buttercream filling can be made 3 days in advance and refrigerated—just whip it again before using.

🍎 In Summary

These Apple Cider Sandwich Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate fall baking. With their tender texture, spiced aroma, and sweet creamy filling, they’re guaranteed to become a seasonal favorite in your home. Whether you bake them for a weekend treat, holiday dessert table, or cozy night in, each cookie delivers the warmth and nostalgia that makes autumn special.

So, grab that jug of apple cider, preheat the oven, and treat yourself — because sweet treats made easy are what FoodieMoms is all about.