Super soft, chewy Applesauce Monster Cookies surrounded with creamy peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, toffee bits, and mini M&M’s. The fun colors and decadent texture would put a smile on anyone’s face!
Applesauce is one of those healthy food items that are in my kitchen for one reason only– baking.
It’s kind of like the bananas that enter my house. Very rarely do they get eaten up by one of the boys. And, definitely NOT by me. Same goes with the applesauce.
Applesauce in cookies make the softest cookies ever!
The texture is really what you’ll notice in these Applesauce Monster Cookies.
Yeah, there’s chocolate swirling all around with those mini M&M’s… and milk chocolate toffee bits. But, it’s the hint of creamy peanut butter, oats, and the applesauce which takes the texture of this particular cookie to the level of pure bliss!
Making these fun little cookies are a breeze!
Simply give the dough some time to chill and relax (as my boys say, chill-ax) in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. By doing this simple little step, it helps give the gluten time to relax.
It also allows the flour to have a little time to absorb more into the liquid.
Putting the cookie dough into the refrigerator also helps so the cookies won’t spread into each other on the baking sheet. The cooler the dough is when going into the oven, the better your cookies will stay put and puff up in baking.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup applesauce
- 3/4 cup oats (Quick or Old Fashioned)
- 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate toffee bits
- 1/2 cup mini M&M's candy
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars for one minute. Add eggs and yolk until all combined.
- Mix in peanut butter, applesauce, and oats. Stir until all combined.
- Put flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, and whisk together. Gently add these dry ingredients to the dough.
- Gently stir in mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, and M&M's.
- Set cookie dough into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to place cookie dough onto covered (parchment paper or a silicone baking mat) baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before placing them on a cooling rack. Enjoy!
- Makes 3 dozen medium size cookies. Store in an air tight container and will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
For another moist applesauce cookie recipe, try these…
Triple Chocolate Applesauce Cookies
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Enjoy, my friends!
When is your favorite time of the day to enjoy a fresh baked cookie?
In our home, it’s after school!
Sharing these Applesauce Monster Cookies with: Nancherrow Design Dining and Diapers The Best Blog Recipes Kreative Creationz A Prudent Life Pickled Okra The 36th Avenue A Little Claireification Sewlicious Home Decor The Weary Chef Inside Brucrew Life My Craftily Ever After Dolen Diaries Ginger Snap Crafts Lady Behind The Curtain
Gloria, i’ve never used applesauce in cookies, but LOVE the idea! Seriously…I totally can imagine it only making them better! Monster cookies are one of my favorite things to eat….it’s the peanut butter. Have you ever had monster cookie ice cream?! To die for. Anyways, Totally pinning this. Guess I have to add this to my very long list of foods to make π Really like how descriptive your writing is. Thank you!
Kelly – LEFT SIDE OF THE TABLE recently posted…Baked Scotched Eggs
Kelly, now I’m going to be on a hunt for some of that ice cream! I’m right there with you for the peanut butter reason of loving monster cookies!
I’ve yet to bake with applesauce but I’ve heard great things! Going to have to try this.. I’m a sucker for anything with m&ms in them, haha!
Chris @ Shared Appetite recently posted…Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce and Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Chris, you’ll really love the texture applesauce brings to a baked good. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
Yeah, we don’t eat applesauce very often … it all goes into the muffins and bread! I LOVE monster cookies, but never thought to use applesauce. With the oats and peanut butter taking center stage with the MnMs, it would work perfectly! Pinning! I could chillax with a dozen of these no problem!
Mary Frances recently posted…Dairy Free Chocolate + Bananas Fosters Pound Cake Parfait
Mary Frances, we are so alike! xo
Oh my gosh, YES! These cookies look dynamite, Gloria! I love how you used applesauce in them to keep them lighter as well! These are so ending up in my cookie jar someday soon! pinned.
Sarah@WholeAndHeavenlyOven recently posted…Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus and Potatoes
Sarah, now we can eat way more than just one cookie… with it filled with some healthy-ness! lol
Never used applesauce in cookies, but I have heard it works magic with pastry. Beautiful work, Gloria!
Gintare, now I’ve never heard it in pastry. I’ll have to check it out!
These look great Gloria! So perfect and pretty! I bet they are awesome with the applesauce too! Pinned.
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar recently posted…Fruit Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups
Gloria, these cookies look delicious! I have never used applesauce to make cookies before but I can’t wait to try your recipe because I love soft, chewy cookies like these! Pinned π
Jenn@ Deliciously Sprinkled recently posted…Spring Chocolate Covered Pretzels
These look so delicious, Gloria! I rarely try applesauce in baked goods because I’m a huge banana lover, but I need to give this applesauce thing a shot. π
marcie recently posted…Buttermilk Bacon JalapeΓΒ±o Scones
Marcie, I think the applesauce gives it the same kind of texture as a banana does in baked goods. Only difference would be I can’t taste the applesauce. I’d like to keep it that way… lol!
Gloiris, what a great way to use up the applesauce that does not get eaten! I think my family would love these!
Sheila @ Sweet Baked Life recently posted…Robinβs Nest Coconut Chocolate Bites
Sheila, that’s usually what I have to do with the applesauce, because it’s just that popular in the house to be devoured by itself. lol
Yes just looking at these is making me smile!! Can’t wait to try them!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes recently posted…Soft-Baked Reeseβs Pieces Cookies
Thanks, Ashley! Smile away, girlfriend!
Yup, I’m smiling. π I love the name of these cookies…I’d certainly feel like Cookie Monster eating too many in one sitting!
Tina @ Tina’s Chic Corner recently posted…Homemade Calzone
Tina, that’s how I was feeling the other day… test and taste, taste and test! I ended up sending the rest of the whole entire batch to the job site with Justin. Even though there was only 3 other guys there… he said their eyes lit up like a bunch of little boys! (They were devoured within minutes!)
Gloria recently posted…Show Stopper Saturday Link Party, Featuring Pirate Fairy Recipes!
We never have applesauce in the house because my kids are weird, but yesterday I actually bought a big container. I am thinking I know exactly what to use it for!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet recently posted…Vegetable Tortilla Cups
Nancy, kids are just weird! Why can’t they just be in love with all the healthy-ness we try to shove in their mouths?! π Have a great weekend!
These look delicious, Gloria! I think I will just take 10 π Love the addition of applesauce – yum!
Chelsea @ Gal on a Mission recently posted…Pan Roasted Lemon Chicken
Thanks so much, Chelsea!
I LOVE that these are a little bit healthier than the average monster cookie!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps recently posted…Spicy Whole-Wheat Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower, Brown Butter and Garlic
Nicole, thank you!
Love the applesauce addition to these classic Monster Cookies! Thanks for sharing, my friend. Pinned!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen recently posted…Carrot Cake Jam {canning & preserving}
Stacy, thank you! I just love the texture the applesauce gives. But hey, if that means we can eat more… than let’s do! π
I’ve never tried adding applesauce to cookies, but the idea of a softer puffier cookie sounds great! Pinning this to try sometime soon!
Allie | Baking a Moment recently posted…Slow Cooker Morroccan Turkey Meatballs with Homemade Whole Wheat Naan
Allie, you’ll love what applesauce does to a cookie! π
My three year old is yelling at the computer screen for me to “make those” cookies! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods recently posted…Cindyβs Chicken Salad Recipe
Ashley, that is too cute! I love when the little ones can see the visual and request them right away! Makes me smile. π
I LOOOOOVE that these have applesauce in them, I need to try some applesauce cookies!!
I’m glad that I am not the only person here, that has never baked cookies with applesauce! I will definitely be giving these a try, they look delicious Gloria. π
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls recently posted…Red Chile Enchilada Sauce
No you’re not alone, Lisa. lol! I just grew up making applesauce cookies with my aunt. Otherwise, I’d not have even tried it. π (I just do it for the texture… not really for the healthy part. You know me!)
I love baking with applesauce, it always makes the recipe so moist and these look amazing with the chocolate! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!! π Pinned!
Marti recently posted…90+ Easter Crafts and Recipes Roundup
Marti, you are so right what applesauce does to baked goods… love it!
These look delicious!
Alexis @ Persia Lou recently posted…The Makers No. 12
Thank you so much, Alexis!
Just saw your link at our Weekend re-Treat Link Party and had to stop by and pin these delicious looking cookies!
Shauna @ The Best Blog Recipes
Shauna – The Best Blog Recipes recently posted…grandmaβs cowboy cookies
Shauna, thanks so much! π
These are some pretty cookies, Gloria! My mother-in-law used to make monster cookies back before she was my mother-in-law, but I haven’t had one in years. I’ll be trying your recipe for sure when I decide to make them! xo
Andi @ The Weary Chef recently posted…Saturday Night Fever #29 with Cute Easter Recipe Features!
Gloria, I love how soft and pillowy these cookies look – I’ve never tried adding applesauce to cookies before but I love the idea π My lil guy doesn’t like applesauce either but I will definitely give these a try the next time I pick some up – pinning π