Hearty Oatmeal Cookies w/ Applesauce

So you like cookies...

Did you know you can use applesauce as a (fat) butter substitute when baking?

Well you can! I have this quick and easy oatmeal cookie recipe so you can test out your mad skills.

You Need:

1 tbsp vegetable oil

2/3 cup packed brown sugar 

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 egg

3/4 cup applesauce 

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup rolled oats

Hearty handful of dried cranberries (or 85% dark chocolate or both)

Actions:

I would start off by combining the vegetable oil and applesauce, give it a stir. Now you can add the brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and egg. Mix well. Add flour a little bit at a time, mix. Add oats and cranberries (or chocolate or both). 

I usually line a large baking sheet (see picture) with parchment paper and drop heaping spoonfuls of the mixture on the pan evenly. If you want you can make smaller cookies but you may need more than one baking sheet. Bake these little gems at 350 F for roughly 10-15 minutes. 

Final Thoughts

The nice thing about these cookies is the use of applesauce rather than butter. The oil (and chocolate, if you use it) contributes to a the fat component of the cookies but overall these are lower in fat than your average cookie. For future reference, the replacement is usually on a 1:1 basis.
Another interesting fat source I've tried when baking these cookies, (and succeeded) is avocado. Perhaps we'll explore this ingredient another time.

I find these hearty cookies are enjoyable anytime, particularly during storms or on Sunday afternoons ;)

Your Welcome

-B