These applesauce spice cookies are soft and delicious. The tops are sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. This is a classic recipe that smells incredible while baking in the oven. Make a batch for a delicious treat for the whole family.
Applesauce Spice Cookies
Applesauce spice cookies are made with all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and applesauce. These are a soft cookie with a light and fluffy texture. The tops are sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness.
These cookies make a great afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea.
Applesauce Spice Cookies Ingredients
Here’s what ingredients you’ll need:
- Unsalted Butter – Leave ⅓ cup on the counter to soften. It should be room temperature when making the recipe.
- Brown Sugar – I used light brown sugar. You could also use coconut sugar or lakanto monkfruit sweetener (it’s sugar-free).
- All Purpose Flour – You’ll need 1 ½ cups of all purpose flour.
- Spices – You’ll need cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Baking Etc. – You’ll also need vanilla extract, 1 egg, baking powder and baking soda.
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping – Brown sugar and cinnamon are mixed together and sprinkled on top of the cookies.
Equipment Used
- Nordicware Baking Sheet – This is a bigger baking sheet that allows me to pack more cookies on! I use this baking sheet often for a variety of recipes.
- Parchment Paper – I like to use compostable parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and makes clean up easier.
- Avocado Oil Spray – My go to for any oven recipes. If you spray it on the baking sheet first, then add the parchment paper, this will help it to stick.
- Cookie Rack – The best place to let your cookies cool completely.
- Mixing Bowls – These make mixing and clean up a breeze.
- Hand Mixer – The easiest way to mix your batter. Takes up minimal storage space too.
How To Make Soft Applesauce Spice Cookies
This recipe only uses one bowl. Here’s an overview:
- Cream the butter and sugar with a hand mixer.
- Mix in the applesauce, vanilla extract and egg.
- Add the flour cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, baking powder and baking soda. Mix until just combined.
- Use a cookie scoop to place batter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes.
- Mix cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle on top of each cookie. Place on a rack to cool completely.
What Does Applesauce Do In Cookies?
Applesauce can act as a fat replacer for butter or oil. In this recipe, it’s adding extra moisture to create a soft texture for the cookies.
More Cookie Recipes To Try
- Banana Cranberry Breakfast Cookies – An easy grab-and-go breakfast cookie idea. My husband loves these with his morning coffee.
- Buckwheat Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – This is a great alternative to traditional oatmeal raisin cookies that use refined flour and refined sugar. This recipe uses a combination of gluten-free rolled oats and buckwheat flour as the base.
- Coconut Cinnamon Ginger Cookies – These are gluten-free and made with no flour!
- Healthier Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – These remind me of the classic cookies my mom used to make but with a healthier upgrade.
- Pumpkin Oat Energy Balls – This quick snack uses rolled oats, tahini and pumpkin puree as the base of the recipe.
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Soft Applesauce Spice Cookies
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter - room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar - coconut sugar or monkfruit sweetener (sugar-free)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
Topping:
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar - coconut sugar or monkfruit sweetener (sugar-free)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Tip: I like to lightly spray the baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, then lay the parchment on top. This helps the parchment to stick.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a hand mixer.
- Mix in the applesauce, vanilla extract, and egg.
- Add the all purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until just combined.
- Use a spoon or cookie scoop to place the cookies onto the baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
- In a small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon for topping.
- Generously sprinkle over top of each cookie. Place on a rack to cool completely.
Recipe Notes:
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Please note these nutritional values provided above are just an estimate. Actual numbers will vary based on brands and ingredients you choose, and your preferred portion sizes.