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Soft Applesauce Cookies That Taste Like Fall

These applesauce cookies are simple, sweet, and ready in under an hour. The applesauce keeps them moist, while cinnamon and cloves add just the right amount of spice. They’re budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and perfect for baking with kids. Let me show you how to make a batch.

plate of applesauce cookies with bite missing

On a fall afternoon, these are the perfect snack. Kids love eating and making them, and they hold up well in a lunchbox.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

This is a budget-friendly recipe, and you should have everything you need in your pantry.

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ingredients on marble counter.

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If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Hand mixer (to beat butter and sugar)
  • 2 Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup applesauce (smooth or chunky; I always use Mott’s original sweetened. Nothing fancy!)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (don’t leave out!)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves (don’t leave out!)

For Sprinkling

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

How to Make Applesauce Cookies

Step One: Prep

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.

Step Two: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Stir in the applesauce.

wet ingredients combined in bowl.

Step Three: Add Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just blended.

mixing bowl with dry ingredients being added.

Step Four: Drop And Sprinkle

Using a spoon, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. The dough will appear wet. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.

balls of dough being sprinkled with cinnamon sugar

Step Five: Bake And Cool

Place in the oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

cookies cooling on wire rack.

Storage Instructions

Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

To freeze: Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour or until they’re firm. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to airtight freezer bags or containers. 

What to Serve with Applesauce Cookies

These cookies are a great afternoon snack for kids and adults.

  • Enjoy these yourself with a caramel apple latte.
  • Have the kids eat these with a glass of apple juice.
  • Have some apple slices and cheese cubes on the side.
close up view of finished cookies

More Fall Cookie Recipes

It’s baking season. Here are some more of my favorite seasonal cookies.

Printable Recipe

Applesauce Drop Cookies

An easy, family-friendly cookie recipe, these come together in minutes and kids love them. Perfect in a lunchbox or for an after-school snack.
Print Recipe
closeup view of of soft applesauce cookies.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup applesauce
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

For Sprinkling

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.
  • Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Stir in the applesauce.
  • Add dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just blended.
  • Drop and sprinkle. Using a spoon, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. The dough will appear wet. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Bake and cool. Place in the oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
To freeze: Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour or until they’re firm. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to airtight freezer bags or containers. 

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 95kcal
Author: Katie

4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Absolutely love these! My grandma used to make applesauce cookies all the time—they’re always a hit and my go-to when I’m craving a cookie that’s not overly sweet. I swap out the cloves for nutmeg. Thanks so much!

  2. 5 stars
    Love these! My grandma always made applesauce cookies and they are a crowd favorite and go to for when I want a cookie that isn’t too sweet. Instead of cloves I do nutmeg. Thank you!

    1. Hey Brenna,
      Thank you so much! I’m happy to hear these brought back memories of your grandma’s cookies. Nutmeg is a fantastic substitution—adds that warm, cozy flavor without overpowering. Plus, isn’t it just the perfect touch for fall baking? So glad you’re enjoying these!:)

5 from 2 votes

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