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Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies with Browned Butter Icing

Close-up of three soft applesauce cookies topped with cinnamon sugar and a thick caramel glaze drizzle.
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Make these soft, moist applesauce cookies flavored with warm fall spices. Top them with a rich, nutty browned butter icing for a comforting classic treat.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned and cooled slightly
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (for icing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the browned butter: Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling often, until the milk solids turn brown and smell nutty. Pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl, leaving any dark sediment behind. Let it cool until it is just warm, about 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the cooled browned butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. Stir in the applesauce until fully incorporated.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set. The centers may look slightly soft.
  9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Make the icing: Whisk the powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk in a small bowl. Add more milk, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, drizzly consistency.
  11. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies. Let the icing set before serving.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use unsweetened applesauce so you control the sugar level.
  • Browning the butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that complements the fall spices in these soft applesauce cookies.
  • These cookies stay moist for days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/applesauce-cookies-soft-cinnamon-browned-butter/