October 18, 2023
Review RecipeApplesauce Cookies
Table of Contents
These delicious homemade applesauce cookies are a perfect treat! Made with brown sugar, applesauce, and spices, and topped with a made-from-scratch cream cheese frosting, this simple cookie recipe is moist and flavorful.
Applesauce Cookies Ingredients
These delightful little bites pack a flavorful punch with every bite. The combination of the applesauce and spices creates a perfect balance, not too sweet but still satisfyingly indulgent.
The texture is soft and chewy, making it easy to savor every last morsel of these delectable cookies.
You’ll need:
For The Cookies:
- 2½ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice blend
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup of light brown sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ¾ cup of cinnamon applesauce
For The Icing:
- 8 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon of half & half (or whole milk)
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Garnish with a pinch of apple pie spice blend
PRO TIP:
If your grocery store does not have an apple spice blend you can create your own by combining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves. Mix well.
Substitutions And Additions
APPLESAUCE: You can also use plain applesauce and add one teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
SPRINKLES: You can make these cookies more festive by adding sprinkles or colored sugar for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
CINNAMON: If you’re looking to switch up the flavor profile of these applesauce cookies, consider experimenting with different spices.
Nutmeg or allspice can add warmth and depth, while a touch of cardamom can bring a hint of citrusy, floral notes.
You could also substitute apple pie spice in place of plain cinnamon for this delicious dessert.
NUTS: For some added crunch and nutty flavor, chopped pecans or walnuts work beautifully in these cookies.
CHOCOLATE CHIPS: If you’re a chocolate lover, you can’t go wrong with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
However, white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or even dark chocolate chunks can be used to tailor the sweetness level to your liking.
VANILLA EXTRACT: Vanilla adds a subtle depth, but you can infuse a different essence by using almond extract, orange extract, or even a touch of maple syrup.
How To Make This Applesauce Cookies Recipe
The cookie dough comes together quickly and easily for this recipe.
Bake the cookies until they are nice and fluffy before topping them with the tangy cream cheese frosting.
STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
STEP TWO: In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice blend.
STEP THREE: In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, cream the butter and light brown sugar for one minute or until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, until completely incorporated.
STEP FOUR: Add the vanilla extract and the applesauce and mix for another minute.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Don’t worry if it looks like your batter is separating because when you add the flour mixture, it will come back together.
STEP FIVE: At a low speed, combine your flour mixture with your butter mixture for another one to two minutes or just until all the flour is incorporated.
Do not overmix your batter.
STEP SIX: Using a 1½ tablespoon (1.5-inch) cookie scoop, scoop out your batter onto the prepared baking tray two inches apart.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or just until lightly golden on the edges.
Once your cookies have been baked, allow them to cool on the tray for five minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting them.
STEP SEVEN: While your cookies are baking and cooling, you can make your frosting.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together on medium speed with a handheld mixer, the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar for two minutes.
Add the vanilla extract and half & half, and combine until smooth.
You can add a little more half & half if your mixture is not soft and spreadable, but not too much because you want your frosting to hold its shape.
STEP EIGHT: Once your cookies have cooled completely, you can frost them with about a tablespoon of the frosting per cookie.
Sprinkle them with a pinch of the apple pie spice.
How To Serve Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies
Enjoy your deliciously spiced cookies with a warm cup of apple cider or whipped hot chocolate.
These would be tasty treats to serve as an after-school snack or share with friends.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try topping the cookies with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkling of cinnamon.
Our mouthwatering old-fashioned applesauce cake or baked applesauce donuts make perfect desserts as well.
MORE APPLE RECIPES
Storing Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cookies
Here’s how to store these cookies to ensure they maintain their flavor and texture.
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your baking, you can prepare the cookie dough and shape it into rounds before refrigerating or freezing.
Simply place the dough portions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid.
Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
When you’re ready to bake, you can place the frozen cookie dough rounds directly onto a baking sheet and bake as directed.
IN THE FRIDGE: The cookies can be stored in a covered container in a single layer for two to three days in the refrigerator.
IN THE FREEZER: After cookies are completely cooled, you can freeze them in a single layer.
Once frozen, you can stack cookies in layers using parchment paper in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Allow cookies to thaw to room temperature before serving, whether stored in the fridge or freezer.
Why We Love This Recipe
SOFT AND CHEWY TEXTURE: These cookies have a delightful soft and chewy texture, thanks to the addition of applesauce. They’re not overly crunchy, making them perfect for those who prefer a cookie with a tender bite.
WARM AND COMFORTING FLAVORS: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins in this recipe creates a warm and comforting flavor profile.
MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZER FRIENDLY: With the option to make the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it, you can have freshly baked cookies whenever you crave them.
These lightly spiced applesauce cookies are delightfully soft and cake-like with a rich, homemade cream cheese frosting. Made with delicious cinnamon apple sauce, they will become a favorite treat for years to come.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I freeze these applesauce cookies?
These cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.
Can I use plain applesauce if I can’t find cinnamon applesauce?
You sure can! Use the same amount of applesauce and add one teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your dry ingredients.
Can I make my own apple pie spice?
Make your own apple pie spice by combining one teaspoon of cinnamon, a half teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and a quarter teaspoon of ground cloves.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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- Crockpot Applesauce
- Apple Dumplings with Crescent Rolls
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Applesauce Cookies
These yummy spiced applesauce cookies will be a welcome addition to your cookie jar!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 30
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice blend
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup cinnamon applesauce
Icing
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon half & half (or whole milk)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch apple pie spice blend, garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice blend.
- In a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, cream together the butter and light brown sugar for 1 minute or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, until completely incorporated.
- Add the vanilla extract and the applesauce and mix for another minute.
- At a low speed, combine your flour mixture with your butter mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes or just until all the flour is incorporated. Do not overmix the batter.
- Using a 1½ tablespoon (1.5-inch) cookie scoop, scoop out your batter onto the prepared baking tray 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or just until lightly golden on the edges. Once your cookies have baked, allow them to cool on the tray for 5 minutes then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting them.
- While your cookies are baking and cooling, you can make the frosting. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together on medium speed with a handheld mixer, the softened cream cheese, and powdered sugar for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and half & half, and combine until smooth. You can add a little more half & half if your mixture is not soft and spreadable, but not too much because you want your frosting to hold its shape.
- Once your cookies have cooled completely, you can frost them with about a tablespoon of the frosting per cookie and sprinkle them with a pinch of the apple pie spice.
Video
Notes
- If your grocery store does not have an apple spice blend you can create your own by combining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves. Mix well.
- Don’t worry if it looks like your batter is separating because when you add the flour mixture it will come back together.
Nutrition
Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Karen says
Fantastic recipe when you are so busy at Christmas time. Thank You
Jill Gay Roseberry says
I think I remember my mother making something similar but I remember raisins in them.