APPLE-OATMEAL COOKIES

Apple-Oatmeal Cookies image

Provided by Buddy Valastro

Categories dessert

Time 55m

Yield 16 large cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 sticks plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
2 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
2/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups oats
1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat a small, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of the butter, and let melt. Add the apple, 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar, the cinnamon, and a scant pinch of salt, and stir well to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the remaining butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture appears light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a separate bowl. With the mixer on low, beat in the dry ingredients, including the oats, then fold in the apples by hand.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough at a time and arrange them at least 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake, rotating the sheets top to bottom halfway through baking, until the cookies appear set, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove and let cool for a few minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a baking rack to cool completely.
To make the optional glaze: Put the confectioners' sugar, the vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon water in a medium mixing bowl and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cookies using a spoon.