If you are looking for a cookie that brings together wholesome comfort and a delightful chocolatey twist, this Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. These cookies are soft and chewy with a subtle warmth from cinnamon applesauce, perfectly balanced with melted chocolate chips throughout. The applesauce keeps the cookies wonderfully moist and tender, making them a guilt-free indulgence that feels like a homemade hug in every bite. Whether for a cozy afternoon snack or to share with friends, this recipe is a simple yet unforgettable treat that you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses classic pantry staples with just a splash of applesauce magic to keep the cookies soft and flavorful. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in the texture, taste, and aroma of these delicious cookies, so keeping it simple is key.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup): Room temperature butter is essential for creaming and achieving that perfect soft cookie texture.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps with browning.
- Cinnamon Applesauce (1 cup): The star ingredient that adds moisture, subtle cinnamon warmth, and delightful flavor.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Gives the cookies a light rise and tender crumb.
- Kosher Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Pure Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds aromatic depth to complement the applesauce and chocolate.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The base of the dough, providing structure and chewiness.
- Milk Chocolate Chips (1 cup): Creamy sweetness that melts beautifully in every bite.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips (½ cup): Adds a rich, slightly bittersweet contrast to the milk chocolate.
How to Make Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F to ensure it’s perfectly hot when the cookies go in. Line a baking sheet with a precut Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheet or parchment paper for easy cleanup and to help your cookies bake evenly.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter together with granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the batter, giving the cookies a light and tender texture.
Step 3: Mix in the Cinnamon Applesauce
Next, pour in the cinnamon applesauce and beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The applesauce adds moisture and a lovely spice note that brings warmth to every bite.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients Gradually
Add the baking soda, kosher salt, and vanilla extract along with one cup of flour into the wet mixture. Beat on low speed just until combined before adding the remaining flour. Mixing gently prevents over-developing the gluten, making the cookies soft rather than tough.
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Using a spoon or spatula, gently fold the milk and semisweet chocolate chips into the dough. This ensures the chips are evenly distributed without breaking them or overmixing the dough.
Step 6: Portion the Cookies
Use a cookie scoop to drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies to spread without merging into one another.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden Brown
Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are just golden and the centers have set. This timing lets the cookies remain soft and chewy without becoming too crisp.
Step 8: Cool Completely
After removing from the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to reach room temperature. Cooling is key for cookies to firm up and develop their full flavor.
How to Serve Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, try sprinkling a tiny pinch of sea salt on top before baking for a delightful sweet-and-salty balance. Freshly grated cinnamon on warm cookies can also enhance the apple notes beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced chai tea to complement the cinnamon flavor. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside warm cookies is a classic that will impress anyone you serve.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming touch, stack these cookies tied with rustic twine as gifts for friends and family. You can also sandwich softened cream cheese or caramel filling between two cookies for an irresistible treat that elevates this simple recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your applesauce chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps them soft and moist without drying out the texture, so you can enjoy that home-baked freshness anytime.
Freezing
You can also freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months and thaw quickly when you’re ready to indulge.
Reheating
To enjoy these cookies warm, gently reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. The chocolate chips will melt perfectly again, giving you that fresh-from-the-oven vibe every time.
FAQs
Can I substitute the applesauce with something else?
While applesauce adds moisture and a special cinnamon flavor, you can substitute it with plain unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas in a pinch. Keep in mind that flavor and texture might vary slightly.
What kind of chocolate chips work best?
Milk and semisweet chocolate chips both work wonderfully in this recipe. Using a mix, like Ghirardelli milk and semisweet, offers a nice balance of creamy sweetness and rich depth, but feel free to customize with your favorites.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so they are not gluten-free as written. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends that measure cup for cup for a similar texture.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Chilling the dough can even improve flavor and reduce spreading while baking.
How do these cookies stay so soft?
The secret is the cinnamon applesauce, which adds moisture and tenderness to the dough, combined with careful mixing and baking just until golden. This balance keeps the cookies soft and chewy, not dry or crumbly.
Final Thoughts
This Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe beautifully blends wholesome ingredients with indulgent chocolate, making it an absolute joy to bake and eat. Whether it’s your first time or a welcomed repeat, these cookies promise to bring warmth and sweetness to your kitchen. So grab your mixing bowl and give this recipe a go—you’ll be hooked at first bite!
Print
Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes per batch, total approximately 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these soft and chewy Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies, perfectly balanced with sweet applesauce, a hint of cinnamon, and a generous mix of milk and semisweet chocolate chips. This easy-to-make recipe yields classic homemade cookies that are moist, flavorful, and irresistible for snack time or dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams, room temperature, 1 stick)
- 1 cup cinnamon applesauce (250 grams, room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (4 grams)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (6 grams)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)
Mix-ins
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips (170 grams, Ghirardelli recommended)
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (85 grams, Ghirardelli recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with a precut Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheet or parchment paper, then set aside to ensure a non-stick surface for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which helps create tender cookies.
- Add Applesauce: Pour in the cinnamon applesauce and continue to beat until fully incorporated, adding moisture and subtle fruity sweetness to the dough.
- Combine Baking Soda, Salt, Vanilla, and Flour: Add the baking soda, kosher salt, and pure vanilla extract to the mixture, followed by 1 cup of the all-purpose flour. Beat on a low speed to blend. Then add the remaining 1 cup of flour and mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Using a spoon or spatula, gently fold in both the milk chocolate chips and semisweet chocolate chips to evenly distribute them without breaking the dough texture.
- Scoop Cookie Dough: Use a cookie scoop to drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are just golden brown and the centers are set, ensuring a perfect chewy texture.
- Repeat Baking: Repeat the scooping and baking process with the remaining dough until all cookies are baked.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool to room temperature before serving to achieve the best texture.
Notes
- For evenly sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
- Room temperature butter and applesauce ensure better mixing consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To keep cookies soft longer, add a slice of bread to the storage container to retain moisture.
