Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and Cranberry Healthy Cookies
Updated: June 29, 2025
If you know me, you know I love baking cookies and other treats with oatmeal. Well, this recipe is just about the perfect cookie. Not too sweet but with lots of goodness in it!
Cranberries: When I first made this recipe, I had just finished making Irish Soda Bread with cranberries, so I still had quite a few left over. Cranberries are good for you too as they’re high in antioxidants. Like I said, lots of goodness in these cookies.
Applesauce: Applesauce is made from whole apples, so the nutrition is the same. Apples are high in Vitamin C and fiber as well as having antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Oats: I prefer old-fashioned oats and I very seldom use quick oats. I just like the chewier texture better in my baked goods. As far as nutritional value, oats have fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are a great way to lower cholesterol. They also have something called avenanthramides which are a group of antioxidants that may help to guard against heart disease.
A word about Steel cut oats: Steel cut oats are not the same as old-fashioned oats and cannot be substituted in cookie recipes. They are great for a healthy breakfast, but they are much too dense to substitute for old-fashioned oats or quick oats in cookie recipes.
Organic Coconut Sugar: I use this instead of granulated and brown sugar and I think it’s made a big difference in my overall health. It’s not nearly as sweet but I think it’s just right amount of sweetness. It also has a much lower glycemic index than regular sugar. If you prefer sweeter but want to still cut down on your sugar intake, you can do 1/2 cup coconut sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar.
Let me know if you try them. Enjoy!
Best Apple, Oatmeal and Cranberry Cookies
Apple, Cinnamon, Oatmeal, Cranberry Cookies with walnuts
Apple Oatmeal and Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (not quick oats)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add applesauce and egg and mix well, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add in flour mixture and mix only until you no longer see the flour. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the oats and cranberries. Chill in fridge for one hour.
- After chilling the dough, preheat oven to 350° F.
- Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop to measure out cookies and place them on the parchment paper about 2" apart.
- Bake for 11 - 13 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Cool on wire rack.
- Store in fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze in airtight container for up to 2 months.
Notes
These cookies are best fresh out of the oven!