Description
Soft, spiced cookies with a creamy cheesecake center and a crunchy spiced-sugar coating. These fall-inspired cookies combine the cozy flavor of apple cider with rich cheesecake, perfect for holiday gatherings or a seasonal baking project.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Cider Reduction
- 2 cups apple cider (reduce to 2 tablespoons)
Cheesecake Filling
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cookie Dough
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons reduced apple cider
Spiced Sugar Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of allspice
- Melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Reduce Cider: Simmer 2 cups apple cider over medium heat until reduced to about 2 tablespoons (20–25 minutes). Cool.
- Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Chill.
- Cookie Dough: Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light. Beat in egg yolks, vanilla, and reduced cider.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients. Chill dough 30 minutes.
- Scoop 1½-tablespoon portions. Flatten, add a small dollop of cheesecake filling, and wrap dough around it.
- Roll cookies in spiced sugar mixture and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing dough to maintain softness.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days; freeze for up to 3 months.
- Let cookies sit at room temperature before serving to refresh texture, avoid microwaving.
- Add extra spices like cardamom or ginger for a flavor boost.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg