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

Scale

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