Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
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The nights are cooler, sandals are traded in for boots, and Malbec has replaced rosé. I think it’s safe to say fall has arrived in my corner of New York. While I am seriously lamenting the loss of summer sun, I do love the coziness of fall. It makes for good cooking and baking. I’ve been eager to make a treat for my new co-workers because they are some truly amazing people. I wanted to make something that gave them the “warm fuzzies” that they have given me but since I’d probably maim myself with knitting needles, I decided to bake instead. Embracing fall for what it is, I concocted this version of caramel apple cider cookies. They are exactly the type of thank you treat I was looking for. Really though, if a cookie could give a hug it would be this cookie.
Also, this post was supposed to be out on Wednesday but my hard drive crashed... and it was pretty ugly. All I can say is thank goodness for Google Drive. On the plus side, since it's after the fact, I can tell you these cookies were a major hit and definitely made everyone's Monday!
I trolled the internet and compared recipes for ingredients, measurements, etc. and this is what I got.
You will need:
1 stick of room temperature butter
1 6 oz container of apple cider mulling spices, I used Aspen, OR 5-6 packets of instant cider mix (you may have to add 1/3 cup of sugar to the packets depending on sugar content)
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla
¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
Scant 1 ½ cups of flour
Chewy caramels, unwrapped ( I used Werther’s)
Yield: 18 cookies
It’s fairly straight forward: Set the oven to 350, line cookie sheets with tinfoil and spray with cooking spray (easier clean up). Mix the butter and spices/sugar together.
Then add the egg and vanilla.
Add remainder of dry ingredients and mix well. Take care to not over mix or it will be difficult to form cookies.
Then take a tablespoon of dough, tuck a caramel in the center and make sure it is securely wrapped and covered. Then place it on a cookie sheet.
Bake them for about 14 minutes and remove from the oven. They will definitely need to cool before you attempt to eat one, that caramel retains heat. It will harden at room temperature but just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and it will melt in a jiffy.
Forget autumn scented candles, make these cookies. Between the caramel and the spices my apartment never smelled better. What's even better than the lingering autumnal scent is the dozens of smiles you'll get from happy, appreciative co-workers. Until the next dish, ciao!
