So I was trying to find a way to use up the abundance of apples I have this year, but I was so baked apple, apple pie, and apple crisped out that I had to do something else. That’s when it hit me…..Cookies! I have made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies before, why not apple cookies? I checked my cookbooks, nothing there to help. Next best resource….the internet of course! A quick google search later and I had my recipe.
Now I have to say, this really was one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever seen for a cookie, or so I thought!
Ok, it really was easy; not that many ingredients, simple instructions, no problem. Well, that is unless you have a husband who decides that at the moment you are going to make cookies he is going to ransack your kitchen cupboards and toss out any and all expired spices, food products, etc. Great idea, sure. Not when I am trying to make cookies! Especially when I have two little kids jumping at the bit to “help” me.
So the first mistake… forgot to add the milk that the recipe called for. I realized this when I began mixing the “dry” ingredients into the “wet” ones, and it just seemed to be a bit crumbly, not really looking anything like any sort of cookie dough I’ve ever seen before. Yes…this mistake I am blaming on being distracted by making sure my husband didn’t toss out anything I might use (even though I still had spices in there that expired in 2004—yeah I know, they need to go!), and the fact that my kids were fighting with each to get closer to the mixing bowl and help. I did convince them that they would each get a turn to run the mixer, but amidst all this, somewhere along the line…. the milk was forgotten.
Ok, so once I realized what was happening, I added the milk… no big deal, cookies saved. The kids and I mixed up the batter. I scooped my tablespoon size portions onto the cookie sheet and placed the dough into the preheated oven. I set the timer and patiently waited the 12-14 minutes for my cookies to be done.
12 minutes later, a quick check on the cookies through the window. Man these things really look doughy, not getting done at all! Ok, check back in a few minutes and the same thing! The recipe said 12-14 minutes, or until they get light brown. These were not browning at all! I decided to let them bake a few more minutes, still no browning! Ok, I better pull these out and test them. I took the cookies out and low and behold… they were done! So they did actually take a little longer than the recipe said, but the first batch I think was in a little too long, as they were a bit crispy, but not too bad. Once I realized they didn’t brown like a “normal” cookie did, I knew I had to pull them out a little sooner. They tasted great either way, and the crisp cookies actually softened up by the next day anyway, probably due to the apples in them. So all in all, a good recipe, easy to make, and actually quite tasty!
I decided to let them bake a few more minutes, still no browning! Ok, I better pull these out and test them. I took the cookies out and low and behold… they were done! So they did actually take a little longer than the recipe said, but the first batch I think was in a little too long, as they were a bit crispy, but not too bad. Once I realized they didn’t brown like a “normal” cookie did, I knew I had to pull them out a little sooner. They tasted great either way, and the crisp cookies actually softened up by the next day anyway, probably due to the apples in them. So all in all, a good recipe, easy to make, and actually quite tasty!
So they did actually take a little longer than the recipe said, but the first batch I think was in a little too long, as they were a bit crispy, but not too bad. Once I realized they didn’t brown like a “normal” cookie did, I knew I had to pull them out a little sooner. They tasted great either way, and the crisp cookies actually softened up by the next day anyway, probably due to the apples in them. So all in all, a good recipe, easy to make, and actually quite tasty!
Now the part you have been waiting for! The recipe of course!
I found this recipe at the naptime chef and modified it to suit the ingredients I had on hand.
The original recipe is as follows (my modifications are noted):
Ingredients
- ½ c. shortening*
- 1 1/3 c. dark brown sugar **(I only had light brown sugar so I used that instead)
- 1 egg
- ¼ c. whole milk **(I didn’t have whole milk so I just used what I had, happened to be 1%)
- 2 ¼ c. all-purpose flour
- 1 t. baking soda
- 1 t. ground cinnamon
- ½ t. ground cloves **(this was one of the items that hit the garbage can, so I didn’t use any)
- ½ t. ground nutmeg
- ½ t. salt
- 1 c. chopped walnuts **(I happened to have some, so I used them, if I didn’t I would’ve just gone without)
- 1 c. unpeeled apple, finely chopped (I use a juicy, sweet variety like McIntosh)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350.
- 2. Beat together shortening and brown sugar until full combined. Add egg and milk and mix ingredients well.
- 3. In a separate bowl combine flour, soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add dry ingredients, scraping down the sides as necessary, until everything is fully combined.
- 4. Stir chopped apple and walnuts into the batter with a wooden spoon.
- 5. Drop cookies by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2-inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with Silpat or parchment paper. Press the tops of the cookie down with your top two fingers so they are slightly flattened. ***(Ummm.... I didn't do this pressing thing)
- 6. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies hold their shape and are slightly browned on the edges.
Notes
*Note: I use trans-fat free shortening only when baking **Please note: these cookies do not "brown" like a normal chocolate chip cookie or such, at least they didn't for me. I would just follow the time guidelines adjusting for your oven and test to see if done with your finger, if the cookies spring back with pressed lightly they are probably done.
Nutrition
Join Us!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates on all things parenting, crafts, travel, and more!
You're almost there! Be sure to check your email to confirm your subscription.
By filling out this form you are agreeing to receive emails from
J Helgren Media LLC (The Mommy Bunch, Rock Your Craft).
Spam Free. Unsubscribe at any time.