Description
Apple Cider Cheesecake Cookies combine the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with the rich creaminess of a cheesecake center, all wrapped in a tender apple cider-infused cookie dough. These cookies feature a unique apple cider reduction that intensifies the autumnal flavors and a spiced sugar coating for a perfect sweet finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Cider Reduction
- 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider
Cheesecake Filling
- 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, cold
- 3 tbsp (38 g) granulated white sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Cider Cookies
- 1 3/4 cups (218 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- scant 1/4 cup (just under 60 ml) apple cider reduction from above
Spiced Sugar Coating
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch ground allspice
- 1–2 tbsp (14–28 g) salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Make the Apple Cider Reduction: Add the apple cider to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Allow it to simmer until it reduces to just under 1/4 cup (approximately 25 minutes after simmering begins), turning into a thick, caramel-like sauce. Stir near the end to prevent over-reduction. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: Line a small cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat the cold cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed until fluffy and sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Portion into sixteen 2-teaspoon balls on the baking sheet and freeze until firm.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in egg yolks, vanilla, and the cooled apple cider reduction on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until pale and fluffy, scraping the tough reduction chunks to incorporate them as much as possible.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Assemble Cookies: Using a 1 1/2 tbsp cookie scoop, portion the dough into 16 balls. Flatten each slightly, place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center, then wrap the dough around completely and roll back into a ball. Keep cheesecake balls frozen until use.
- Bake the Cookies: Arrange six cookie balls per baking sheet. Bake for 11-12 minutes, aiming for about 11 minutes and 30 seconds. Immediately after baking, shape edges with a round cookie cutter for a perfect circle.
- Cool the Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Spiced Sugar: Mix granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in a small bowl.
- Finish the Cookies: When cookies have cooled, brush tops with melted salted butter and sprinkle the spiced sugar blend on top. Optionally, gently roll the sides of each cookie in the spiced sugar coating, taking care as the cookies are soft. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure the apple cider reduction is watched carefully near the end to prevent burning or over-thickening.
- Cheesecake balls must be frozen thoroughly before wrapping in cookie dough to prevent melting during baking.
- Scrape the apple cider reduction well when mixing to integrate all flavors despite some small, sticky chunks.
- Shaping cookies immediately post-baking helps create a neat, uniform presentation.
- Soft cookies require gentle handling when rolling in spiced sugar; use a light touch.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cider cookies, cheesecake stuffed cookies, spiced cookies, autumn dessert, holiday cookies, cream cheese filling
