The Sweetest Applesauce Cookies Recipe for Fall Baking Joy

Sweet memories flood back whenever I whip up these delightful applesauce cookies that remind me of cozy autumn afternoons.

Grandma’s cherished recipe sparked my passion for baking delectable treats.

Soft, chewy textures mingle with warm spices in each delectable bite.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance across your palate, creating an irresistible symphony of flavors.

Minimal ingredients combine effortlessly to craft these comfort-packed morsels.

Simple pantry staples transform into magic inside your mixing bowl.

You’ll fall in love with how quickly these cookies come together and disappear from the plate.

Why Applesauce Cookies Are So Good

• Craft Comfort Treats: These cookies bring warmth and nostalgia with their soft texture and homemade goodness, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.
• Boost Nutrition Quietly: Applesauce introduces natural moisture and subtle fruit benefits, making these cookies a sneaky healthier dessert option that doesn't compromise on taste.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows adding walnuts or skipping them, creating personalized cookies that suit individual preferences and dietary needs.
• Simple Baking Adventure: Beginner-friendly method requires basic ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, making it an excellent recipe for home bakers of all skill levels.

Essentials for Applesauce Cookies

• Butter: A creamy base that provides rich flavor and helps create a soft cookie texture.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredients that contribute to the cookie's sweetness and help achieve a caramelized exterior.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie dough.
• Applesauce: Adds moisture and a subtle fruity flavor to the cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component that gives the cookies their shape and texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and become light and soft.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements the applesauce.

• Walnuts: Provides a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the cookies.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and richness to the cookie's overall taste profile.

How to Bake Applesauce Cookies Right

Step 1: Prep the Baking Zone

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to make cookie removal a breeze.

Step 2: Create a Dreamy Butter Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter with white and brown sugars. Whip them together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

Crack an egg into the butter-sugar mixture and pour in vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until everything combines into a smooth, silky blend.

Step 4: Introduce Applesauce Magic

Gently fold in the applesauce, which will give your cookies a delightful moisture and hint of fruity goodness.

Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon

Ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed and lump-free.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly merge the dry ingredient mixture with the wet ingredients. Stir carefully until a cohesive dough forms, being careful not to overmix.

Step 7: Add Optional Crunch

If you love texture, fold in chopped walnuts to give your cookies an extra dimension of nutty goodness.

Step 8: Shape and Arrange Cookies

Use a tablespoon to drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and set centers as your doneness indicator.

Step 10: Cool and Set

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

Step 11: Store for Lasting Enjoyment

Keep your delicious cookies in an airtight container to maintain their soft, tender texture and preserve their homemade deliciousness.

Pro Tips for Applesauce Cookie Lovers

• Boost Moisture Retention: Add an extra tablespoon of applesauce to keep cookies incredibly soft and prevent dryness during baking.
• Customize Flavor Profile: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg or ginger to enhance the warm, comforting taste of the cookies.
• Prevent Spreading Issues: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Replace walnuts with dried cranberries or chocolate chips for added texture without using nuts.

Fun Twists for Applesauce Cookies

• Harvest Spice Cookies: Add ground nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to enhance the warm autumn flavor profile, creating a cozy seasonal treat.
• Caramel Apple Cookies: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over cooled cookies and sprinkle diced fresh apples on top for extra fruity richness.
• Maple Walnut Cookies: Replace vanilla extract with pure maple syrup and increase walnut quantity for a robust, woodsy forest-inspired version.
• Gluten-Free Apple Oatmeal Cookies: Substitute wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and mix in rolled oats for added texture and nutrition.

Pair These with Applesauce Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Chai Latte: Smooth, spiced tea complements the cinnamon warmth of the cookies, creating a harmonious flavor profile that enhances the subtle apple notes.
• Serve alongside Caramel Pecan Ice Cream: Rich, buttery ice cream echoes the cookie's nutty undertones while adding a luxurious cold contrast to the soft, tender texture.
• Match with Spiced Apple Cider: Crisp, seasonal beverage amplifies the applesauce essence, providing a deeply comforting and nostalgic drinking experience that resonates with the cookie's fruity character.
• Enjoy with Maple Walnut Whipped Cream: Decadent topping brings additional nutty depth, bridging the cookie's ingredients and offering a sophisticated, layered taste sensation.

Store Applesauce Cookies with Ease

• Seal cookies in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
• Store cookies in a sealed container with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature. Place a slice of bread inside to help maintain moisture and softness. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and quality.
• Keep cookies on a plate covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Position in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.

All Your Applesauce Cookie FAQs

• Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the cookies will have a denser texture and slightly nuttier flavor. Use a 1:1 ratio, but expect a slightly different consistency.

• What if I don't have ground cinnamon?

Ground cinnamon adds warmth, but you can replace it with pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for similar depth of flavor. Alternatively, use nutmeg or a blend of spices.

• Are these cookies good for kids' lunchboxes?

Absolutely! These cookies are soft, not too sweet, and packed with applesauce, making them a healthier treat that kids will enjoy. They’re portable and won’t crumble easily.

Applesauce Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Irresistible applesauce cookies blend warmth and nostalgia into each delectable bite. Cinnamon-spiced sweetness and tender textures invite comfort seekers to savor homemade magic with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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Cookies Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg

Moisture and Flavor:

• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Binding and Leavening:

• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
2. Cream together softened butter with white and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending thoroughly until fully integrated.
4. Gently fold in the applesauce, which will contribute moisture and subtle fruity undertones to the cookie dough.
5. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
6. Gradually combine the dry ingredient mixture with the wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
7. If desired, fold in chopped walnuts to add a delightful crunch and nutty dimension to the cookies.
8. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the centers appear set.
10. Remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Store in an airtight container to maintain their soft, tender texture.

Notes

• Swap applesauce for mashed bananas or pumpkin puree to create delightful flavor variations that keep the cookies moist and interesting.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising the soft, tender texture.
• Add a sprinkle of nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon for deeper, more complex warm spice notes that elevate the cookie’s overall taste profile.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and ensure thicker, more structured cookies with a perfect chewy center.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 145
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg