Recipe: Applesauce Softies
from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Lunchbox
Ingredients
1 1/3 cups natural unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup canola oil or sunflower oil
3/4 cup Sucanat or other granulated natural sweetener (regular sugar is fine)
1tsp vanilla extract
A large pinch of finely grated lemon rind
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (plain)
1tbsp corn starch
1tsp ground cinnamon
1/4tsp ground nutmeg
1/4tsp ground cloves
1/2tsp baking soda
1/4tsp salt
Method
Reduce the applesauce by cooking in a saucepan over medium heat for about 25 minutes, stirring often. After about 20 minutes, check to see how much it has reduced. It should be 2/3 cup, if not return to.the pot until it is 2/3 cup or slightly less. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool completely before continuing.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line two baking trays with paper.
In a large mixing bowl, stir in the oil, sugar, vanilla, and lemon rind. Mix in the cooled applesauce, then sift in the flours, spices, baking soda, cornstarch and salt. Mix to form a soft dough.
Scoop a rounded tablespoon of dough into the baking sheets, and sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar (sugar mixed with ground cinnamon).
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until puffed and just starting to brown at the edges. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.