Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies

Applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture to these soft-baked oatmeal cookies, making them a delicious departure from traditional treats. With warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these cookies evoke cozy autumn vibes, while chopped walnuts add a delightful crunch for added texture.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Beat in the egg and mix until well combined.

Then, mix in the applesauce and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients (flour mixture) until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

If using walnuts, fold them into the dough at this stage.

Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 8 cookies.

Notes

Use old-fashioned oats instead of rolled oats for a slightly denser cookie.

Use a combination of white and brown sugar for a richer flavor.

Don’t overmix the dough to ensure the cookies retain their texture.

If you choose to add walnuts, chop them finely to distribute the flavor evenly.

Make sure to leave enough space between the cookies as they will spread during baking.

Don’t overbake, as the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.

These cookies are perfect for a snack or as a lunchbox treat for kids.

You can store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 120
• Total Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Cholesterol: 10mg
• Sodium: 50mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 23g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 2g