Healthier Snickerdoodle Cookies
I love the classic soft and chewy snickerdoodle cookies, but I wanted to make a healthier version while keeping the same texture. These cookies are made with less sugar and butter, but you would never know!
Servings: 36 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cups unsalted butter 1/2 cup softened, 1/4 cup melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
For the cinnamon sugar:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, add the 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup softened butter. Beat with an electric mixer until light and creamy. Then add the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined. Then add the 1/4 cup melted butter, applesauce, and the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Finish mixing with a spatula or large spoon.
- For the cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Roll the dough into balls the size of a walnut, around 1 1/2 tablespoons. Then roll the dough ball in your cinnamon sugar mixture and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little room for spreading. Repeat until you run out of dough.
- Use the bottom of a cup to gently press down on each dough ball until it is slightly more than 1/2 inch thick. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The top should be just set and very soft. Once done baking, remove from oven and let rest on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!
Notes
Be careful not to overbake these cookies. Remember that they will continue to cook briefly after you remove them from the oven. They should be removed once the surface is set and no longer shiny, but it should still be very delicate.