Orange Spice Molasses Cookies

From EatingWell: November/December 2009 — Subscribe to EatingWell Magazine Today!

These spiced molasses cookies have added applesauce to help keep the cookies moist and whole-wheat flour and oats to incorporate whole grains.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I have made two batches of these heavenly delights and am now going to make batch three. These are the most delicious cookies I have ever had in my 73 years! If I were the judge I would have given these cookies the Grand Prize. I made...

40 cookies

Active Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Diabetes appropriate | Low carbohydrate |

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

Ingredients

Rolling Sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest

Cookie Dough

1 1/2 cups rolled oats
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
1/2 cup light or dark molasses
7 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
To prepare the rolling sugar: Pulse 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon orange zest in a food processor until well combined. Place in a shallow dish and set aside.
To prepare cookie dough: Grind oats in a blender until they look like a fine powder, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping the sides as needed.
Beat butter and 1/3 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 5 minutes. Add brown sugar and 2 tablespoons orange zest and beat another 2 minutes. Add molasses, applesauce, egg yolk, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, pepper and salt; beat on medium-high until incorporated, about 30 seconds, scraping down the bowl and beaters as needed.
Turn the mixer to medium and slowly add the ground oats. Scrape down the bowl; with the mixer on medium, slowly add whole-wheat flour. (The dough will be moderately sticky.)
Using a slightly rounded tablespoon of dough, roll into balls, then roll in the rolling sugar to coat. (If necessary, wet your fingers to help roll without sticking.) The zest will make the mixture slightly wet and it will clump; lightly brush off the excess so that just a thin coat is on the cookie. Place cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the cookies in batches until the edges are set and the tops are cracked, but the centers are still soft and puffy, about 10 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 8 minutes. Serve warm or cool on a wire rack.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Per cookie: 85 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 0 g mono); 9 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 48 mg sodium; 77 mg potassium.

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 other carbohydrate