Applesauce cookies with apples front - saved by Chic n Cheap Living

Oatmeal applesauce cranberry cookies recipe

October 22, 2013

One of my favorite aspects of autumn is the plentiful, seasonal produce – especially apples and pumpkins.  I’m not in a cool weather climate until the end of fall, but I still wanted to use apples and make applesauce (which is SO easy!).  I had a bit of left over applesauce and wanted to use it for some baked goodies.  I was inspired by this cookie recipe, but tweaked it slightly to make it healthier and enhance the apple flavor.  So I’m really happy I came up with this oatmeal applesauce cranberry cookies recipe.
Applesauce cookies with apples front - saved by Chic n Cheap Living

I also discovered that homemade applesauce is ridiculously delicious.  I never liked or ate applesauce as a kid.  But homemade applesauce is fresh, delicious, and wonderfully fragrant with a touch of lemon zest. My husband, who is allergic to apples in their raw form, can’t keep his hands off these cookies – can you?
Applesauce oatmeal cookie top by Chic n Cheap Living

Oatmeal applesauce cranberry cookies recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup chunky-style applesauce
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 cup cranberries or raisins soaked in 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Applesauce

  • 4 large or 6 smaller Fuji apples
  • 1/2 cup water
  • lemon zest from 1/2 lemon

Icing (Optional)

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons caramel or maple syrup

Makes about 20-22 cookies

Special Equipment

  • Cookie sheet
  • Silicone baking sheet (if available, these really rock)

Preparation

  1. Soak cranberries in vanilla and set aside.
  2. Make applesauce: Peel, core, and slice apples and combine with remaining ingredients in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer and cover pan.  Cook for additional 30-45 minutes until apples are tender. Cool mixture and blend.  You will have some applesauce left over after using it for these cookies.
  3. Make cookies: Preheat oven to 350. Put butter and sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until combined. Add egg and applesauce, stir until well blended, 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add in cranberries.
  4. Using a 1/8 cup scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake cookies until golden and just set, 16 to 20 minutes. Let cool on sheets 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely.
  5. For icing (optional): Whisk confectioners’ sugar, caramel or syrup, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Drizzle over cookies, let set. For frosting, use only 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of water.

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  • Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans October 22, 2013 at 08:10

    OMG I’m dying right now – these look so incredibly good…and are perfect for fall!

    xx

  • Blond Duck October 22, 2013 at 08:32

    These look so good–just scream fall!

  • Coco October 22, 2013 at 08:32

    I was thinking of you these past few days, as I appreciate healthy recipes and you’ve been sharing quite a few lately. I will definitely try this one, as I’ve just refurbished my organic oat supply. By the way, do you know that if you put some oat in a cloth and then soak it in a hot bath and pass it onto your skin, it will come out as soft as a baby’s? Let me know if you’d like me to share some healthy recipes using millet (not everybody likes it but it’s packed with healthy ingredients). I hope I didn’t take too much space here!! I’m afraid I didn’t get your updates by email 🙁 have a lovely week dear!
    Love
    Coco et La vie en rose
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  • Kim of A Very Sweet Blog October 22, 2013 at 10:56

    Tis the season for baking! Those cookies look so good. I love applesauce and the apples are very plentiful this year. Superb post! Love your pics!

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living October 22, 2013 at 11:00

      Aww thank you for your sweet words Kim! These cookies are definitely a treat and are among my favorite cookies of all time! The healthy component is just icing on the cookie, hehe.

  • Diana Mieczan October 22, 2013 at 12:32

    I am so with you on that, apples and pumpkins are perfect right now and your cookies make me want to lick my computer screen – giggle. I love how wonderfully scrumptious they sound. Can’t wait to make them, lovely. Muah

  • phiphi @ phiphi's blog October 22, 2013 at 12:35

    this looks SO good!! i hope you are doing well. adding this to my recipes list! 🙂

  • lyddiegal October 22, 2013 at 15:10

    I love apples, they are pretty much my favorite fruit and I’ll devour them in pretty much everything. This time of year baking with them needs to be a weekly occurrence!

  • Krysten October 22, 2013 at 16:34

    Mm looks yummy!

  • Johanna October 22, 2013 at 22:59

    I saw this on Instagram. Looks delish my friend and I love that they are semi healthy!

  • KizzyDoll October 23, 2013 at 05:31

    These look super duper lovely…yum! I love cookies xx

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