Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies made with applesauce instead of all butter. They bake flatter and are slightly sweeter than regular sugar cookies, wit.hout adding extra sugar. This is a modified recipe from an old Betty Crocker cookbook

• Ready In: 22 mins
• Yields: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup applesauce
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups  sifted sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups  sifted flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 1  sheet parchment paper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Make the applesauce - store bought will work as well, but you will have to adjust the sugar to taste. Core, peel and slice 2 medium sweet apples. Puree in a food processor, adding water .5 tbsp at a time until applesauce consistency is reached.
3. Cream applesauce, butter and sugar in a mixer.
4. Add egg, vanilla and almond extracts, and lemon juice.
5. Mix flour and baking soda. Blend into wet mixture a half cup at a time.
6. Drop onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper by tablespoons.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are lightly browned and still soft.
8. Let cool to firmness on parchment paper, then transfer to a plate or cooling rack.