Description
Deliciously soft and chewy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies made with reduced applesauce, warm spices, diced apples, and optional walnuts. Finished with a rich maple butter glaze, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and autumn flavors, ideal for cozy snacks or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (160g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) light or dark brown sugar (dark recommended)
- 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (170g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1 and 1/4 cups (156g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup (90g) finely diced apples
- 1/2 cup (63g) chopped walnuts (optional)
Icing
- 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup (80ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 cup (112g) sifted confectioners’ sugar
- pinch salt, to taste
Instructions
- Reduce the applesauce: Place the applesauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a low boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the amount reduces by half to about 1/3 cup (80g). This takes approximately 10 minutes. Transfer to a heat-proof bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Preheat oven and prepare pans: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars: Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Add wet ingredients to creamed mixture: To the creamed butter mixture, add the reduced applesauce, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until fully combined, scraping the bowl occasionally.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Then fold in the diced apples and chopped walnuts, if using. The dough will be thick and sticky.
- Portion and arrange dough: Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons or 35g of dough), drop mounds of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the cookies are set. The centers will remain soft; they will firm up as they cool. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Prepare the icing: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup, whisking occasionally. Once melted and combined, remove from heat and whisk in the sifted confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired.
- Glaze the cookies: Drizzle the maple butter icing over the cooled cookies. Allow the icing to set for about 1 hour before serving.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- The optional walnuts add a nice crunch but can be omitted for a nut-free version.
- Reducing the applesauce concentrates its flavor and prevents excess moisture in the dough, ensuring chewy cookies.
- Cookie dough will be quite thick and sticky; using a cookie scoop helps portion evenly.
- Cookies look soft when baked but will firm up as they cool.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and ensure the confectioners’ sugar is vegan.
- The icing sets after about 1 hour but can remain slightly soft depending on room temperature.
- Store leftovers properly to maintain texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies, maple glaze cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies, autumn cookies, spiced cookies, homemade cookies, walnut cookies
