Caramel Apple Cookies

Still lovin’ them apples.

So two weeks and 10 jars of applesauce later, we still had lots of leftover apples from our trip to the orchard.  And while we all love the sauce (that sounded a little wrong), pie, cake, and crumbles, I was feeling like there was something more I could be cooking, something more I could be baking.  

But what?

Suddenly it hit me: the apple cookie.  I had never heard of such a thing, but could it be conquered? Would I be able to achieve the crispy yet chewy texture we all love in cookies without the apple making them too soggy?  Would I be able to make a “healthy” cookie?  Would my kids like it?  Better yet, would my husband like it?

Happily, the answer to all of these questions was a resounding “Yes!”  As a bonus, because I was so busy chopping the apples, I really let Maya take the reigns on this one and she really did measure and mix all of the other ingredients on her own (and learn a little something about fractions along the way…but don’t tell her that).  I think that for her, (mostly) baking the cookies herself made them that much sweeter.  

These cookies are quite substantial and quite healthy.  I literally served them for breakfast, snacks and dessert.  

Caramel Apple Cookies
Makes approx. 3 dozen cookies

Special equipment: the dough for these cookies can get pretty heavy so using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment was pretty handy.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

2 cup flour

2¾ cup oats, not instant

½ tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup Skor bits

1 granny smith apple, finely diced (think the size of a big raisin)

Directions (or what Maya did while I was dicing the apple)

1.    Preheat the oven to 340.  The cooking time and temperature is a bit different for these cookie because of the apples.  I found that cooking them a little lower and a little slower resulted in a more evenly-baked cookie.  But your oven may be different. I am sure you will figure it out.
2.    Cream together the sugar and butter.  When it looks smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes, add in the eggs and vanilla and continue mixing for another couple minutes.
3.    In a separate bowl, mix up the dry ingredients: flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4.    Combine the dry ingredients into the wet, then add in the Skor bits and apples and mix until evenly combined.  
5.    Roll the cookies into golf-ball sized balls and place on cookie sheet.
6.    Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are becoming golden brown.  You will have to watch them as each oven is different.
7.    Let cool for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.  Or your mouth.  

Note: if you do not have a Maya to help you, make the dough before you chop the apples to prevent the apples from getting brown.