How to create a cookie for authorization?

Hello!
I'm just starting to understand this framework, so some questions may seem too simple for you, but for me they are still (!) not quite simple. So don't blame me. I very much hope that you will help me to deal with the issues.
There is a method in the controller responsible for the authorisation in the admin:

public function enter(Request $request)
{
 $login = $request->input('login');
 $password = md5($request->input('password'));
 $language = $request->input('language');

 $user = User::where('login', $login)->andWhere('password', $password)->first();
 if ($user) {
 /* Create a cookie. */
 return redirect('backend.dashboard');
 } else {
 $error = 'Not correct login or password.';
 $errors = [
 'errors' => $error
];
 return redirect('backend')->with($errors);
}
}

1. Tell me, please, how do I create a cookie during login and how to use them in the controller, so if any admin is automatically logged in the admin?
2. Correctly whether the compiled handler? If not, how best to do it?