If you love cozy, flavorful treats that feel like a warm hug in cookie form, you are going to adore this Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies Recipe. These cookies come out irresistibly soft, with a perfect blend of sweet applesauce and fragrant spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that fill your kitchen with the most inviting aroma. Topped with a delicate cinnamon sugar sprinkle, each bite melts in your mouth, offering a delightful balance of spice and sweetness that’s ideal for any time of day. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a family gathering, or just because, these cookies never fail to bring joy and comfort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a stack of four round, light brown cookies with a slightly rough texture and small holes on their surface, sitting on a white marbled surface. Next to the stack lies a single cookie, similar in color and texture, flat and fully visible. In the background, there is a blurred striped cloth and two cinnamon sticks placed beside it, adding a warm tone to the scene. The photo is taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

To make the Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies Recipe, you’ll need simple pantry staples that all work together to create the perfect texture and flavor. Each ingredient plays an essential role—like the applesauce adding moisture without heaviness and the spices giving that signature warmth that makes these cookies so special.

Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for easy creaming and a rich, tender cookie base.
Brown Sugar (or Coconut Sugar): Provides sweetness and moisture, plus a subtle caramel flavor.
Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness and keeps the cookies soft and moist without extra oil.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
Large Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds structure to the cookies.
All Purpose Flour: The foundation for the cookie’s tender crumb.
Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and fluffy.
Cinnamon: The star spice that gives these cookies their classic warm flavor.
Ground Nutmeg: Adds a slightly sweet, nutty spice dimension.
Ground Cloves: Provides a subtle depth that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Baking Soda: Works with the acidity in applesauce to create a light texture.
Topping – Brown Sugar + Cinnamon: Sprinkled on top for that extra touch of sweet spice and crunch.

How to Make Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. To keep the parchment in place, lightly spray your baking sheet with a nonstick cooking spray before laying the parchment down—this little trick keeps everything steady when you scoop your cookie dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter with the brown sugar until smooth and creamy. This step ensures your cookies have a tender texture and a slightly caramelized taste from the sugar dissolving properly into the butter.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

Add the applesauce, vanilla extract, and egg to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing just until combined. The applesauce here not only adds sweetness but also keeps the cookies wonderfully moist and soft without extra fat.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Next, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Mix gently until everything just comes together; over-mixing can make the cookies tough, so a light hand helps keep them soft and tender.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Use a spoon or a cookie scoop to drop dollops of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them out evenly. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are set but still soft to the touch. Keep an eye on them so you catch the perfect texture.

Step 6: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

While your cookies bake, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping in a small bowl. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, generously sprinkle this cinnamon sugar blend over the tops. Then, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely so the topping can set and your cookies stay soft inside.

How to Serve Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies Recipe

A white baking tray filled with 20 round cookies arranged in 4 rows and 5 columns. The cookies are golden brown with a slightly rough texture and some small darker spots, showing that they are baked. The tray has a parchment paper with light brown patterns underneath the cookies. A striped towel with blue and white lines is placed partially under the top left side of the tray. The surface beneath everything is white marble. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an extra special touch, dust your cookies lightly with powdered sugar or a thin drizzle of warm glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of apple cider. These simple additions can transform the presentation and enhance the cozy fall vibes that these cookies naturally evoke.

Side Dishes

Pair these soft cinnamon applesauce cookies with a hot cup of chai tea, coffee, or warm apple cider for a comforting snack or dessert experience. They also go beautifully alongside vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate your cookie plates.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the cookies stacked on a rustic wooden platter with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks for a charming fall-inspired display. If you’re bringing them to a party or gift-giving, wrap a few cookies in parchment tied with a cinnamon stick and twine for an impressively thoughtful homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, let your Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies cool completely before storing. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain their soft, fresh-baked texture and flavor.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these cookies later, they freeze beautifully. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag, separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking, and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready for a treat, simply thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To bring back that freshly baked warmth, reheat the cookies in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. Both methods soften the cookies and refresh the cinnamon sugar topping beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought applesauce for this recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought unsweetened applesauce works perfectly. Just be sure to use unsweetened to control the overall sweetness of the cookies.

Can I substitute butter with oil or margarine?

Butter gives these cookies their rich flavor and soft texture, but if necessary, you can use a mild oil like vegetable or canola. Margarine might change the flavor slightly but can work in a pinch.

How do I make sure my cookies stay soft?

Don’t over-bake them! Pull the cookies out as soon as the edges are set but centers still look slightly soft. Storing them properly in airtight containers also helps maintain softness.

Can I add nuts or raisins to this recipe?

Yes! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins mix nicely with the warm spice profile and add a great texture contrast—just fold them in along with the dry ingredients.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe calls for all purpose flour, which contains gluten. You can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend, but you may need to adjust the moisture or baking time slightly.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about the Soft Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies Recipe that makes it a staple in my kitchen, and I can’t wait for you to try it too. These soft, spiced cookies are perfect for cozy afternoons, cookie swaps, or anytime you want a sweet treat that feels homemade and heartwarming. Whip up a batch, enjoy that incredible aroma filling your home, and share them with your loved ones—you’re in for a deliciously delightful experience.