Applesauce Cookies

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

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.

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.

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.

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