Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel Recipe
Delight in the warm, cozy flavors of Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with a rich homemade caramel filling. These soft, spiced cookies are infused with apple cider and perfectly complemented by a luscious caramel sandwich, making them an irresistible treat for fall or any time you crave a comforting dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies (12 whoopie pies) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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 ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the cookies.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together using a mixer until the mixture is fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Cider: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the apple cider and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully incorporated.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Scoop Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make Caramel Filling: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, allowing the mixture to come to a boil. Let it boil gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the caramel cool slightly to thicken.
- Assemble Cookies: Spread a generous amount of the caramel filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then sandwich it with another cookie pressing gently to spread the caramel evenly without squeezing it out.
Notes
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before assembling to prevent the caramel from melting.
- For a thicker caramel, simmer a little longer but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Feel free to substitute apple cider with concentrated apple juice for more intense apple flavor.
- For extra texture, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on the caramel before sandwiching the cookies.
Keywords: apple cider cookies, whoopie pies, caramel filling, fall dessert, spiced cookies, homemade caramel, apple dessert
