Unlock Unmatched Softness: The Best Chewy Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Say goodbye to dry, crumbly cookies and hello to a new world of unbelievably soft and chewy chocolate chip delights! Our secret ingredient? Applesauce. This recipe guarantees cookies that remain delightfully fluffy and moist, even days after baking.
Chocolate chip cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a comfort food, a symbol of home, and a universally loved treat. The aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen is truly one of life’s simple pleasures. While there are countless chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, finding one that consistently delivers that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth soft and chewy texture can be a quest.
If your ideal cookie is never hard, always tender, and boasts a rich, dense chewiness, then this applesauce chocolate chip cookie recipe is about to become your new go-to. We’re confident enough to call these the best chewy chocolate chip cookies you’ll ever make. They offer a unique balance of textures – soft, almost cake-like, yet wonderfully dense and satisfyingly chewy. The magic truly lies in the applesauce!
Why Applesauce is the Secret to Super Soft Cookies
Many cookie recipes rely on butter, eggs, or even specific sugars to achieve their signature texture. While these are all crucial components, applesauce introduces a game-changing element of moisture and natural sweetness. It acts as a binder and humectant, meaning it helps the cookies retain moisture much more effectively than recipes without it. This results in that incredible, enduring softness you crave.
Beyond texture, using applesauce, especially unsweetened varieties, can also slightly reduce the overall fat and sugar content without sacrificing flavor. It imparts a subtle fruitiness that complements the rich chocolate, creating a surprisingly complex and utterly delicious cookie profile. It’s truly heaven in every bite, as our long-time fans can attest.
How to Make The Best Chewy Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
You’ll be delighted by how quickly and easily these cookies come together. In just about 10 minutes of prep time, you can have a batch of this irresistible dough ready for the oven. No complicated steps or extensive chilling required – just simple, straightforward baking for maximum enjoyment.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- All-purpose white flour: The structural backbone of our cookies.
- Sea salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing flavor.
- Baking soda: Our leavening agent, giving these cookies their lovely lift and soft texture.
- Granulated sugar & Brown sugar: The combination of these sugars is key. Granulated sugar promotes spread and crisp edges, while brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and contributes to the tender crumb. Softened butter creams easily with sugars for a light, airy base.
- No sugar added applesauce: The star ingredient for moisture and chewiness. Using unsweetened ensures you control the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that deepens the cookie’s profile.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, adding structure and moisture.
- Chocolate chips: The quintessential cookie element! Use your favorite variety – semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate work wonderfully.
Simple Steps for Irresistible Cookies:
- Prep Your Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, and baking soda. This ensures they are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of salt or leavening in your cookies. Set aside.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a separate, larger bowl, beat together the brown sugar, white sugar, applesauce, softened butter, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which is crucial for the cookies’ soft texture. Remember, the applesauce here is pivotal for that signature fluffiness!
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures they are fully integrated into the mixture, contributing to the dough’s structure and moisture.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Beat until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much, leading to tougher cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently stir or fold in your chocolate chips. You can use a spoon or a low setting on your mixer. Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Portion and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave enough space between each cookie for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for 10-13 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. This ensures a chewy interior.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breakage. Then, enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more effectively, creating a smoother batter and a more consistent cookie texture.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough cookies.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop ensures uniform cookie size, which promotes even baking.
- Slightly Underbake: For the chewiest cookies, take them out of the oven when the edges are set and golden, but the centers still look a little underdone. They will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet.
- Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): While this recipe is designed for quick baking, chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour can further enhance the flavors and result in slightly thicker cookies with less spread.
Freezing for Future Cravings
One of my favorite hacks for homemade cookies is to freeze the dough. These applesauce chocolate chip cookies are perfect for this! I often make a double batch of dough and freeze half for later. This means you can have warm, fresh-baked cookies whenever a craving strikes, with minimal effort.
To freeze cookie dough, scoop individual portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time. Trust me, your future self will thank you for this delicious foresight!
My husband loves soft, chewy cookies. Chocolate chip especially. This recipe fits the need perfectly – Cheryl
More Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie Variations
Once you’ve mastered these incredibly soft applesauce chocolate chip cookies, you might find yourself hungry for more cookie adventures! The world of chocolate chip cookies is vast and wonderful. Here are some of our other favorite variations, perfect for expanding your baking repertoire:
- Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: A gluten-free friendly option packed with flavor and satisfying chew.
- Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: A delightful seasonal twist, perfect for fall, and entirely plant-based.
- Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: For those seeking a delicious dairy-free and egg-free alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.
The Full Recipe: Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
Joy Shull
10 minutes
12 minutes
22 minutes
30
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Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose white flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup no sugar added applesauce
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 3/4 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
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Combine flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl and whisk until combined. Set aside.
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In another bowl, beat brown sugar, white sugar, applesauce, softened butter, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until just well combined. Do not overmix.
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Stir or mix in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
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Drop cookie batter by spoonfuls onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
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Bake at 350 degrees F (175°C) for 10-13 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers are slightly soft.
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Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 28g,
Protein: 2g,
Fat: 8g,
Saturated Fat: 4g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g,
Cholesterol: 23mg,
Sodium: 120mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 17g
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I substitute applesauce for butter entirely?
A: While applesauce does add moisture, this particular recipe uses it in conjunction with butter to achieve its unique chewy and soft texture. Substituting all the butter for applesauce would significantly alter the fat content and could result in a cakeier, less rich cookie. For best results, stick to the recipe’s butter and applesauce ratio.
Q: What kind of applesauce should I use?
A: We recommend using unsweetened, plain applesauce. This gives you control over the sweetness of your cookies and avoids any unwanted artificial flavors. If you only have sweetened applesauce, you might consider slightly reducing the amount of granulated sugar in the recipe.
Q: How do I store these applesauce chocolate chip cookies to keep them soft?
A: To maintain their incredible softness, store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. You can also place a slice of bread in the container with them; the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them fresh and soft even longer.
Q: Can I add other mix-ins to this recipe?
A: Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. Feel free to experiment with additions like chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), shredded coconut, dried cranberries, or a mix of different chocolate types (milk, dark, white chocolate chips). Just ensure your total mix-ins don’t exceed the amount of chocolate chips to maintain the dough’s consistency.
Final Thoughts on These Irresistible Treats
These Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies are truly a revelation for anyone who appreciates a cookie that’s incredibly soft, perfectly chewy, and full of classic chocolate flavor. The applesauce not only delivers on texture but also adds a subtle depth that makes these stand out from your average cookie. They are easy to make, freeze beautifully, and are guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a casual treat, or just to fill your home with that comforting scent, this recipe promises success. Give it a try, and prepare to be amazed by the magic of applesauce in your baking!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below once you’ve tried the recipe. Your feedback helps us and other bakers discover fantastic new treats!