Applesauce Cookies (Old-Fashioned Recipe)

These applesauce cookies are warm, chewy, and oh-so-satisfying.

And between the taste, texture, and alluring aroma, you won’t be able to stop at just one!

Who doesn’t love chewy, soft cookies? Especially when they’re almost healthy!

These bad boys are loaded with applesauce, which I think counts as one of your five a day.

Luckily, they’re delectable, too, and aren’t lacking in flavor.

In fact, they’re packed with all sorts of warm and cozy spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. 

And don’t forget about the walnuts and raisins. They add an amazing crunch and chewiness to every scrumptious bite. 

Gobble up these applesauce cookies with your favorite cup of coffee for the perfect morning treat. 

Applesauce Cookies

Applesauce cookies are the chewy, sweet treats you never knew you needed.

They’re loaded with applesauce, walnuts, raisins, and all your favorite fall spices. And let’s be real, they’re a great excuse to eat cookies for breakfast!

Applesauce is the secret ingredient that keeps them moist and delicious. Not to mention the lovely apple flavor.

Plus, you’ll love the added texture of the fruit and nuts.

These portable treats are great for grabbing on the go.

So pack one into your lunch box, bring a box of them to your next picnic, or enjoy one with your next cup of coffee. 

Ingredients

To make these applesauce cookies, you’ll need a few key ingredients:

• Brown sugar: I used light-brown sugar in this recipe, but you could also swap in coconut sugar or your favorite sugar-free option if you prefer.
• Shortening: Because of the moisture in these cookies, it’s better to use shortening rather than butter. It helps give cookies a firmer, more stable texture.
• Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce. You need 1 cup for the recipe. You could also use homemade applesauce if you have it.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour. If you want to add more whole grains, you can substitute 1 cup of whole wheat flour for 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
• Spices: To give these cookies their signature flavor, you’ll need cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
• Other ingredients: Don’t forget the basics like salt, 1 egg, and baking soda.
• Mix-ins: Chopped walnuts and raisins. 

How to Make Applesauce Cookies

1. Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and shortening until you get a smooth mixture. Add the egg and applesauce to the mix, making sure everything is blended together nicely.
2. Mix the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cloves. Give it a good stir until everything is well mixed.
3. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Make sure you get everything well incorporated.
4. Add the mix-ins. To add some texture and flavor, fold in some walnuts and raisins into the dough.
5. Divide the dough. Use a spoon to drop little balls of dough onto greased cookie sheets. Be sure you leave about 2 inches between each ball of dough so they have some space to expand.
6. Bake. Pop the cookie sheets into the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Let them bake until the edges turn a lovely golden brown color. This should take about 10 to 12 minutes.
7. Cool. Once they’re done, let the cookies cool down a little bit on the baking sheet. Then, move them over to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Applesauce Cookies

• Be sure to use smooth, unsweetened applesauce for a nice and even cookie texture.
• Taste your applesauce before using it in the recipe. Be sure you choose one that tastes great!
• You can make these cookies a little heartier by using a combo of all-purpose flour and oatmeal. 
• To prevent the cookies from spreading, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan.
• Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to ensure even baking.
• Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them. This prevents them from becoming soggy.
• For a cozy fall vibe, add in some extra spices like allspice, ginger, or star anise.
• Want some extra texture? Toss in some candied or dried fruit like citrus, ginger, berries, or sultanas. 
• Nuts are always a good idea! As well as walnuts, you can try pistachio, hazelnut, almond, or any other nut you love.
• Boost the flavor with extracts like almond, vanilla, and citrus. 
• Add some icing or drizzle to change the flavor profile. White chocolate, dark chocolate, or salted caramel are all delicious options.
• To deepen the flavors, add a little maple syrup, golden syrup, or molasses.
• And don’t forget the classic option: add in chocolate chips or caramel chips for an extra sweet treat. You can use anywhere from 1/2 cup to a full cup.
• To make your cookies gluten-free, use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour mix.
• Use coconut oil or vegetable shortening to make these cookies dairy free. 
• And if you need to make your cookies egg-free, just omit the egg and add 1/4 cup of milk instead. Be sure you add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. 

How to Store

In the refrigerator: Planning to eat cookies within the next 2-3 days? Simply store them in the refrigerator. Just be sure to put them in a covered container in a single layer so they won’t stick together.

In the freezer: First, wait for your cookies to cool completely. Then, place the cookies in the freezer. Be sure they’re spread out evenly, in a single layer, so they don’t stick together. 

Once they’re frozen, you can stack them up in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.

When you’re ready to eat your frozen cookies, let them thaw to room temperature first.

This goes for the cookies you store in the fridge, too.

More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

Peanut Butter Cookies
Swedish Butter Cookies
Butter Toffee Cookies
Fruitcake Cookies