Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (90g) rolled oats
  • 1 tsp (5g) baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp (2.5g) salt
  • 1 tbsp (8g) ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp (1g) ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 0.5 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 0.25 cup (60ml) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups (225g) fresh Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely diced

Instructions:

  1. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Dice the peeled Granny Smith apples into very small, 1/4 inch pieces.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and light brown sugar together until smooth. Beat in the egg, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until the mixture is velvety and pale.
  4. Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Note: Stop stirring as soon as the flour disappears to avoid tough cookies.
  5. Gently fold in the finely diced apples until these Fresh Apple Cookies have fruit evenly distributed throughout.
  6. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
  8. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack to prevent the bottoms from steaming and becoming soggy.