Description
These Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel combine the warm spices of autumn with a tender cookie and a rich, creamy caramel filling. Perfect for seasonal gatherings or a cozy treat, these cookies offer a delightful balance of soft texture and sweet spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Filling Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and light.
- Add Eggs and Cider: Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the apple cider and vanilla extract, blending until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until incorporated to avoid overworking the dough.
- Scoop Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.
- Make Caramel Filling: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Assemble: Once the cookies have cooled, spread a generous amount of the caramel filling on the bottom of one cookie and top it with another, creating a sandwich.
Notes
- For best results, ensure butter is softened to room temperature before creaming.
- Use fresh apple cider for the most authentic flavor; avoid apple juice which is more concentrated and sweeter.
- The caramel filling can be cooled and refrigerated; warm slightly before spreading if it thickens too much.
- Store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- To enhance texture, chilling the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking can be helpful but is optional.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cider cookies, whoopie pie, caramel filling, fall desserts, spiced cookies, autumn treats
