Fresh Apple Cookies

After a wonderfully warm September on the west coast, the rainy season has finally set in. Last weekend standing out in the rain watching my son's soccer practice was a definite reminder that yes, fall is indeed here!

If I had to pick one flavor to represent this season, it would be cinnamon. I made these cookies a few weeks ago, using handpicked apples from Washington State! They were the cutest little apples I've ever seen. As you can see from the picture, compared to the stack of cookies, they are TINY! However, I must say, their size made them pretty nitpicky to peel and mince.

These cookies feature fresh apples paired with delicious, spicy cinnamon and nutmeg and covered in a light vanilla glaze. (They're also great without the glaze) My son and his whole daycare class loved them. I hope you do too!

Fresh Apple Cookies
adapted from food.com

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 large eggs
1/4 cup apple juice or milk
1 cup minced apples, peeled

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift flour and baking soda together, set aside.
Cream butter and sugar with electric mixer.

2. Blend in salt, spices, and egg. Add half the flour mixture and blend well. Blend in half the apple juice. Add the chopped apples to the remaining flour mixture and stir to coat. Add this and the remaining apple cider to the creamed mixture and stir by hand.

3. Drop by small spoonfuls on cookie sheet and bake 8-9 minutes. While baking, make glaze by blending all glaze ingredients together until smooth.

4. Remove cookies from sheet while still warm (be very careful) and glaze while barely warm.