Applesauce Cookies - Homey & Simple Just Like Grandma Would Have Kept in Her Cookie Jar!
Applesauce cookies are simple wholesome cookies that are easy to make and oh, so good. I love to make these delicious cookies in the Autumn from homemade applesauce, when apples are at their peak of flavor. It smells just like apple pie!
Making homemade applesauce for your cookies is much easier than you might think - especially if you use your
Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot). I've provided a recipe at the end of the page.
Of course, your cookies will be great with jarred applesauce too. There are so many varieties of applesauce to chose from - smooth, chunky, sweetened, unsweetened, plain, or spicy. Select the style of applesauce you like best for your old-fashioned applesauce cookies.
I've got two apple cookies recipes for you to choose from - one is a traditional from scratch applesauce cookie recipe; the other is a shortcut cookie recipe that uses a spice cake mix.
What could be simpler? I love using cake mix cookie recipes when I want the satisfaction of homemade cookies in less time with fewer ingredients.
Before beginning to bake cookies, always remember to position one of your oven racks in the center of your oven. And always cool your cookie sheets completely before placing cookie dough on them to prevent spreading!
Applesauce Cookies Recipe
This cookies recipe calls for a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for a more wholesome cookie but you can use all all-purpose or all whole wheat if you prefer. To make these extra special, spread the tops of them with the brown butter icing recipe provided.
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup applesauce
Preheat your oven to 375F degrees. Line cookies with silicone liners, nonstick foil, or parchment paper. Alternatively, use ungreased cookie sheets to bake your cookies.
In a medium size bowl whisk the flours, spices, baking soda, and salt until well blended and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
Beat in the egg and applesauce then stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
Drop cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until no indentation remains when touched and light golden brown around the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove from the oven and immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack with a spatula.
Ice cookies if desired.
This recipe yields about 4 dozen Applesauce Cookies.
Recipe source: Betty Crocker's Cookie Book (1985)
Icing for Applesauce Cookies
In a small saucepan heat 1/4 cup butter over medium heat until the butter turns a light golden brown. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups confectioners sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and desired consistency is achieved. Ice cool applesauce cookies.
Cake Mix Cookies Recipe - Shortcut Applesauce Cookies
1 (18.25-ounce) package spice cake mix
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 large egg
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick foil or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl beat the cake mix, oil, applesauce, and egg with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until well blended.
Stir in the raisins or dried cranberries.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 9 to 12 minutes or until the center is just barely set when lightly touched with your fingertip and the edges are firm.
Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool for one minute on the cookie sheets then transfer to wire racks with a metal spatula and allow to cool completely.
This recipe yields about 4 dozen Applesauce Cake Mix Cookies.
For truly made from scratch applesauce cookies, make a batch of homemade applesauce in your slow cooker.
8 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks (6 cups)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1/2 to 1 cup sugar (to taste)
Combine all ingredients in
Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot) and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high 3 to 4 hours. Stir until well blended. If you want smoother applesauce, mash with a potato masher or puree in the blender.
"I have been researching and trying a number of recipes to make a healthy cookie similar to one that our Gym coffee shop sells for $3.50! This particular recipe was adapted so instead of bars I made thick round cookies and cooked them just underdone so they were soft and chewy. They were a hit with all the girls. Thanks for the great recipe."
by Camilla V. Saulsbury
