Almond Apple Cider Snickerdoodles

Oh Fall. Why are you such a beautiful time of year? Cinnamon, pumpkin everything (I have definitely already stressed how obsessed with pumpkin I am), bright orange and yellow leaves everywhere! It's the best.

If I were a dog...this is how happy I would be right now!

This is my last Fall as a college student! CRAZY that I'm graduating in the Spring. I am definitely ready to be done (hellll-ooo senioritis), but it just feels so strange. I cannot wwwaaaaaiiiiittt to start the next chapter of my life, as I will FINALLY be going to culinary school. Way too excited for that!

This semester is already flying by, and I'm oh so happy about all of the Fall fun. Baking with apples and cider make such a warm toasty feeling in the house. I was overcome with delight after pulling these guys out of the oven, they smelled exactly how Fall should. Warm, rich and full of cinnamon-wonder.

If you can't tell already, I love this time of year. It gives me an excuse to bake and cook with all of my favorite ingredients. This month's Creative Cookie Exchange ingredient is anything apple, so I decided to give these guys a go. They aren't as cider-y as I imagined, but they're super tasty and definitely perfect for this time of year.

Adapted from: A Sweet Spot Home

2 cups apple cider
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 3/4 cup ap flour
1 cup toasted sliced almonds
3 tbsp sugar & 2 tsp cinnamon to roll in

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small saucepan, bring the cider to a boil. Allow to simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until it reduces to about 3 tablespoons. It should be a little syrup-y. Let cool slightly.

While the cider is reducing, toast your almonds. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet, and bake for about 10 minutes, checking on them occasionally to make sure they're not getting too done. Turn the oven up to 400 degrees. Let them cool slightly before running a knife through them a few times.

In a stand mixer, beat the cider, shortening, vanilla and eggs on medium-high until you have a fluffy creamy mixture. Then add the salt, baking soda and cream of tartar. Mix until combined. Then add the flour, and mix on low speed until it just comes together. Then add the almonds.

Prepare your cinnamon sugar mixture in a small bowl. With the oven at 400 degrees, scoop out the cookie dough using a spoon or cookie scoop and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Place on a cookie sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes.

There you have it. A fun spin on a classic cookie. :) Now I just have to keep surviving the grind of school. Thanksgiving Break cannot come soon enough!

Here's what everyone else is up to in the Cookie party:

• Apple Butterscotch Cookies from Noshing With The Nolands
• Apple Walnut Cream Cheese Cookies from Magnolia Days
• Brandy Apple Bars from KarenTrina Childress
• Browned Butter Applesauce Bars from Food Lust People Love
• Caramel-Stuffed Apple Cider Spice Cookies from All That's Left Are The Crumbs
• Fuji Apple Cookies from NinjaBaking.com
• Ginger Sandwich Cookies with Apple Butter Cream Filling from A Baker's House
• Iced Apple Drop Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Salted Caramel Apple Popcorn Cookies from It's Yummi!
• Streusel Topped Apple Oatmeal Bars from The Spiced Life
• Butterscotch Apple Pie Cookies from At Home with Rebecka
• Cider Snaps from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt

Wanna join the Creative Cookie Exchange fun?