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Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

Three soft, round applesauce cookies stacked and drizzled with a light brown spice glaze.
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Make soft, moist cookies using applesauce for a tender texture, spiced with cinnamon and topped with a rich browned butter frosting. This recipe is easy and comforting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 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 packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons milk or cream (for frosting)
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the browned butter: Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the milk solids turn golden brown and the butter smells nutty. Immediately pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl, leaving any dark sediment behind. Let it cool slightly.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the slightly cooled browned butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy.
  5. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
  6. Mix in the applesauce until just incorporated.
  7. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  8. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  9. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set. The centers may look slightly underdone.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Make the frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
  12. Once cookies are completely cool, spread or drizzle the browned butter frosting over the tops. Allow the frosting to set before serving.

Notes

  • For a softer cookie, slightly underbake them by one minute.
  • You can substitute plain applesauce for unsweetened applesauce if needed.
  • These cookies stay moist for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition

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