Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
If you love warm spices and a cozy, chewy treat, these Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies will quickly become your new favorite snack. Imagine tender oats, tender diced apples, and the perfect blend of cinnamon and nutmeg coming together in each bite, with a luscious maple butter glaze drizzling on top. These cookies are more than just a dessert; they carry the comforting essence of fall and homemade goodness, every crumb telling a story of autumn afternoons and joyful baking moments.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how a simple set of ingredients can transform into something so delightfully complex in flavor and texture. Each one in this recipe is chosen with care: from the hearty oats for chewiness, to the warm spices that bring the cookie to life, and applesauce that keeps things moist and naturally sweet. Let’s dive into what makes this magic happen.
- Unsweetened applesauce (2/3 cup/160g): Reduces moisture and adds gentle apple flavor without overpowering the spices or sweetness.
- Old-fashioned whole rolled oats (2 cups/170g): The star ingredient for texture and wholesome chewiness.
- All-purpose flour (1¼ cups/156g): Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together perfectly.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft yet chewy bite.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The heartwarming spice that defines these Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies.
- Ground allspice (½ teaspoon): Adds depth with its aromatic warmth.
- Ground nutmeg (¼ teaspoon): Provides a subtle, earthy contrast to the sweeter elements.
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup/113g): Gives richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup/100g): Sweetens the cookie and helps create a crisp edge.
- Light or dark brown sugar (½ cup/100g): Brings moisture and a caramel-like depth to the sweetness.
- Egg yolk (1, room temperature): Adds richness and helps bind the dough together.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lifts all the flavors with its sweet fragrance.
- Finely diced apples (¾ cup/90g): Bursts of fresh apple flavor and lovely texture.
- Chopped walnuts (½ cup/63g, optional): Adds crunch and a nutty contrast that complements the spices.
- Unsalted butter (2 Tablespoons/28g): For making the luscious maple glaze.
- Pure maple syrup (⅓ cup/80ml): Infuses the glaze with a natural sweetness and earthy aroma.
- Sifted confectioners’ sugar (1 cup/112g): Creates the perfect smooth icing to drizzle.
- Pinch of salt (to taste): Enhances the glaze by balancing the sweetness.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
Step 1: Reduce the Applesauce
Start by gently simmering the unsweetened applesauce until it reduces to half its volume. This step concentrates the flavor and thickens the moisture content, giving your cookies a richer apple taste and a perfectly chewy texture. It might take around 10 minutes, so keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to avoid burning. Let it cool completely before moving on.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
While the applesauce cools, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mixing these first ensures that every bite of your Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies bursts with perfectly balanced spices and the hearty goodness of oats.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a mixer, cream the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy — this usually takes about 5 minutes. The creaming process is essential for that tender crumb and a slight crispness on the edges of your cookies. Be sure to scrape down the sides so everything gets mixed evenly.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the cooled reduced applesauce, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. This combination brings moisture, richness, and a fragrant undertone that helps these Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies feel like a special homemade treat.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Fold the dry ingredients into your wet batter on low speed. Then, gently stir in the diced apples and walnuts if you’re including them. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky, packed with textures and flavor ready to shine.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Using a medium cookie scoop, drop 1.5 Tbsp-sized mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between them for spreading. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 14–16 minutes until the edges are lightly browned and the centers still look soft. This soft center will set as the cookies cool, so patience is a virtue here!
Step 7: Make the Maple Butter Glaze
While the cookies bake, melt butter and maple syrup together gently on low heat, whisking occasionally. Once smooth, remove from heat and whisk in sifted confectioners’ sugar until creamy. A pinch of salt adds perfect balance. Drizzle this over your cooled cookies for an irresistible finishing touch.
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra chopped walnuts or a light dusting of cinnamon on top of the glaze adds a decorative and flavor boost, making your presentation pop and inviting everyone to dive in.
Side Dishes
Serve with a steaming cup of chai tea, hot apple cider, or a creamy latte. The warm spices in the drinks echo the cozy flavors of the cookies and elevate the tasting experience to a next-level comforting treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack these cookies on a rustic wooden platter tied with a cinnamon stick for a charming gift or festive centerpiece. Or, sandwich two cookies together with a spoonful of cream cheese frosting or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent twist everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain their soft, chewy texture. For longer storage, refrigeration will extend freshness up to a week, though the texture may become slightly firmer.
Freezing
Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a sealed container or bag. This locks in their flavor and moisture, allowing you to enjoy your Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies months later with almost fresh-baked taste.
Reheating
To bring a frozen or refrigerated cookie back to life, warm it for 10–15 seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a preheated oven at 300°F. This little heat-up will soften the texture and refresh those beloved flavors beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Old-fashioned rolled oats hold their texture better and give the cookies the perfect chew, but if you’re in a pinch, quick oats can work. Just expect a slightly softer and less chewy cookie.
What if I don’t have walnuts? Can I skip them?
Absolutely! Walnuts add a lovely crunch and nuttiness, but if you’re allergic or prefer not to use them, omitting them won’t harm the flavor or texture much. You could also try substituting with pecans or leaving the nuts out entirely.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for lightly browned edges with soft centers; the cookies might look slightly underbaked in the middle but will firm up as they cool, giving you that tender, chewy bite.
Is there a substitute for maple syrup in the glaze?
You can use honey or agave nectar as a substitute, though it will slightly alter the flavor. Maple syrup adds a distinctive, earthy sweetness that complements the apples and spices beautifully.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Use a certified gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour and ensure your oats are labeled gluten-free. The texture might be a touch different but just as delicious.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the humble Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies. They’re perfect for sharing with loved ones on a crisp afternoon or keeping all to yourself when you want a warm, comforting treat. Give this recipe a try—you might just find yourself making them again and again, savoring that perfect bite of spice, apple, and oat in every mouthful.
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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously soft and chewy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies made with wholesome oats, reduced applesauce, warm spices, and a maple syrup glaze. These cookies combine the comforting flavors of fall with a comforting texture, perfect for an afternoon treat or dessert.
Ingredients
Reduced Applesauce
- 2/3 cup (160g) unsweetened applesauce
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
Wet Ingredients & Mix-ins
- 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 preferred)
- 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (90g) finely diced apples
- 1/2 cup (63g) chopped walnuts (optional)
Maple Glaze
- 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup (80ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 cup (112g) sifted confectioners’ sugar
- Pinch of salt, to taste
Instructions
- Reduce the applesauce: Place the applesauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a low boil, then simmer, stirring occasionally, until the volume reduces by half to about 1/3 cup (80g), roughly 10 minutes. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and cool to room temperature.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars: Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until well creamed, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in the reduced applesauce, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, beating on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape the bowl again to ensure even mixing.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Beat in the dry ingredients on low speed until just blended. Fold in the diced apples and walnuts if using—the dough will be thick and sticky.
- Shape and bake cookies: Scoop approximately 1.5 tablespoons (35g) of dough per cookie using a medium cookie scoop, spacing them about 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 14–16 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookies are set but still soft in the middle.
- Cool cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare maple glaze: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in the sifted confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add a pinch of salt to taste.
- Glaze the cookies: Drizzle the maple glaze over cooled cookies. Allow the glaze to set for about 1 hour before serving.
- Store properly: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Reducing the applesauce concentrates its flavor and removes excess moisture, ensuring cookies hold together perfectly.
- Chopped walnuts add a nice crunch but can be omitted for nut-free options.
- The cookies will look soft straight out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg instead of egg yolk.
- If you don’t have maple syrup for the glaze, honey or agave syrup can be used but will alter the flavor slightly.
- Be sure to sift the confectioners’ sugar to avoid lumps in the glaze.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 35g)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies, oatmeal cookies, apple cookies, fall cookies, maple glaze cookies
