Fresh Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Fresh Apple Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect thing to bake any day of the year but I especially love them during fall. They are soft and cake-like in the middle with chewy, slightly crisp edges, and that delicious apple flavor and abundance of cinnamon will leave everyone craving more!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• ¾ cup all purpose flour or gluten free one-to-one
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
• ½ cup butter room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup brown sugar or white sugar, honey, maple syrup
• 1 medium apple peeled and finely diced

Instructions:

1. In a medium skillet, melt one tablespoon of the butter and add the diced apples. Cook for approximately 4-5 minutes until apples get a little soft.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat the remaining butter, applesauce, brown sugar and vanilla extract together.
4. Add in the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until just blended.
5. Fold in the diced cooked apple.
6. Place in the refrigerator and chill for 10 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 350° F
8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or line with a silicone mat.
9. Drop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet and flatten slightly.
10. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown
11. Cool on the pan for about 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

ENJOY!!