These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Applesauce are soft, chewy, and made with wholesome ingredients like oats, raisins, and applesauce. The applesauce keeps them perfectly moist, while the combination of oats and raisins gives them that classic, cozy oatmeal cookie feel — just a little lighter.
If you're packing lunchboxes, planning an afternoon pick-me-up, or a breakfast treat to pair with your coffee, these cookies are the kind of easy comfort food we all need a little more of.
If you're looking for more fall baking treat ideas, be sure to check out my Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies — they're just right when you need something quick, cozy, and satisfying.
Ingredients
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft, tender cookie.
- Sugar: For sweetness and that classic cookie texture.
- Applesauce: Keeps the cookies moist and acts as a lighter swap for some of the fat.
- Egg: Binds everything together and gives structure.
- Vanilla: Adds warm, cozy flavor.
- Flour: The base that holds the cookies together.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a gentle lift.
- Baking Soda: Works with the applesauce to help the cookies spread just right.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
- Cinnamon: Adds a touch of warmth and spice.
- Quick Oats: Bring heartiness, chewiness, and a wholesome feel.
- Raisins: Little bursts of natural sweetness in every bite!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Applesauce
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream the butter, sugar and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy.
Then beat in the eggs on medium speed.
Add the applesauce and vanilla, and beat.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and oats until just combined.
Add the raisins.
Gather scoops of dough and space them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes, remove from the oven and allow to set for 2 minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Hint: If your applesauce is unsweetened, you're good to go as-is. But if it's sweetened, consider reducing the sugar by a tablespoon or two — just to keep things balanced. You can also use cinnamon applesauce for an extra cozy twist.
Substitutions & Variations
- No raisins? Swap them for chocolate chips, chopped dates, dried cranberries, or even finely chopped nuts.
- If you want to make them dairy-free, use plant-based butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter.
- If you want to make it gluten-free, substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.
- For more add-ins, shredded coconut, a dash of nutmeg, or a handful of chopped apples add lovely texture and flavor.
💭Crucial Success Tips
- Don’t overmix the dough. Mix just until everything is combined to keep the cookies soft and tender.
- Use quick oats. Old-fashioned oats make the cookies a bit drier and more crumbly.
- Space them out. These cookies spread slightly as they bake, so leave about 2 inches between scoops.
- Check your oven early. Every oven is different—start peeking at the 9-minute mark. You want the edges set but the centers still soft.
- Let them rest on the pan. Those 2 minutes on the hot baking sheet help them firm up without drying out.
- Cool completely before storing. This helps prevent soggy cookies in your container.
FAQ
Yes, this recipe scales really well. Just make sure your mixing bowl is big enough!
Unsweetened is ideal so you can control the sweetness, but sweetened works too—just adjust the sugar slightly.
Yes! The applesauce makes it stay moist and chewy for several days (if they last that long!).
Nope — they’ll stay too firm and chewy. Stick with quick oats for the best texture.
📖 Recipe
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Applesauce
These cookies are soft and chewy, made with wholesome ingredients like oats, raisins, and applesauce. The applesauce adds moisture, making them a lighter alternative to traditional oatmeal cookies. They're quick to prepare and bake, perfect for a snack or dessert. Ingredients:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups quick oats
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream the butter, sugar and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy.
- Then beat in the eggs on medium speed.
- Add the applesauce and vanilla, and beat.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and oats until just combined.
- Add the raisins.
- Gather scoops of dough and space them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, remove from the oven and allow to set for 2 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
36Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 63Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 79mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 1g
How to Store Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Applesauce
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days.
You can also refrigerate them if your kitchen is warm—just bring to room temp before eating.
Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or warm gently in the microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
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