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🍎🍪🍂✨ Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel – Soft, Spiced, and Perfectly Gooey!

If fall had a flavor, it would taste exactly like these Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel — soft, spiced, and filled with creamy caramel goodness. 🍁🍎 These cookies combine the warmth of apple cider, the cozy spice of cinnamon, and the sweet decadence of caramel frosting into irresistible handheld sandwich cookies. Each bite is soft, pillowy, and bursting with apple-caramel magic — like your favorite autumn dessert, reinvented in cookie form! Whether you’re baking for a fall party, holiday cookie swap, or just want your kitchen to smell like heaven, these Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies are guaranteed to impress. 💛
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

For the Apple Cider Cookies:
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup reduced apple cider see below
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
For the Caramel Filling:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional Garnishes:
  • Extra caramel drizzle 🍯
  • A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar ✨
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Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (medium & large)
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Whisk & spatula
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper or silicone mats
  • Wire cooling rack

Method
 

Make the Reduced Apple Cider
  1. Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan.
  2. Simmer over medium heat until reduced to about ½ cup (15–20 minutes).
  3. Let it cool completely — this concentrated cider gives the cookies their deep apple flavor! 🍎
Prepare the Cookie Batter
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add egg, vanilla, reduced cider, and applesauce; mix until smooth.
  5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a thick, sticky dough forms.
Bake the Cookies
  1. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
  2. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are set but centers are soft.
  3. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Caramel Filling
  1. In a bowl, beat butter until creamy.
  2. Add caramel sauce, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth and fluffy.
  3. Adjust consistency by adding a little more caramel or sugar as needed.
Assemble the Whoopie Pies
  1. Spread or pipe caramel filling onto the flat side of one cookie.
  2. Top with another cookie to form a sandwich.
  3. Optional: drizzle extra caramel over the top or dust with cinnamon sugar. 🍂✨

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 5 days — let them come to room temp before serving.
Freezer: Freeze unfilled cookies for up to 2 months; thaw and fill when ready.
🥄 Variations
Salted Caramel Filling: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel cream for contrast. 🧂
Maple Twist: Replace caramel sauce with maple buttercream for a cozy flavor swap. 🍁
Apple Pie Filling: Add a thin layer of apple compote between cookies for extra fruitiness. 🍏
Cream Cheese Filling: Mix cream cheese with caramel for a tangy-sweet filling.
Mini Whoopie Bites: Make smaller cookies for adorable bite-sized treats! 🧁
❓ 10 FAQs
What makes it a “whoopie pie”?
A whoopie pie is two soft cake-like cookies sandwiched with a creamy filling — part cookie, part cake!
Do I have to reduce the cider?
Yes — it intensifies the apple flavor and keeps the dough from being too wet.
Can I use store-bought caramel?
Absolutely — just choose a thick, buttery variety for the filling.
Can I use a cake mix shortcut?
Yes! Spice cake mix with ½ cup apple cider and ¼ cup applesauce makes a quick base.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes — use vegan butter and dairy-free caramel. 🌱
Can I use apple butter instead of applesauce?
Definitely — it’ll give a richer, spiced apple flavor.
Can I add nuts?
Of course! Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and balance the sweetness.
Can I refrigerate the dough before baking?
Yes — chilling for 30 minutes helps prevent spreading.
How do I keep them soft?
Store with a piece of bread in the container — it keeps moisture inside!
Can I use this filling on cupcakes?
100%! It’s delicious as frosting on fall cupcakes or brownies. 🍰
🏁 Conclusion
These Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel are soft, spiced, and oh-so-decadent — the perfect sweet treat to celebrate fall! 🍎🍪🍂✨
With their pillowy texture, caramel filling, and cozy apple spice aroma, they capture everything we love about the season. Easy to make and impossible to resist, these cookies are sure to become your new autumn baking favorite.
One bite, and you’ll understand why these whoopie pies are pure fall magic. 🍁💛