Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies

We grew up eating these frequently in my family. We always called them "soft chocolate chip cookies" because they have a soft cake-like texture instead of chewy like a regular chocolate chip cookie. They're mot much to look at, but they taste heavenly, especially fresh out of the oven. I've played around with these a few times and made a few changes, and they always turn out great. If you're looking for something a little different, feel free to add any of the following in addition to the normal ingredients: chopped walnuts (about 1 cup), oatmeal (about 1 1/2 cups) and butterscotch chips (about 1 cup in place of 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips), or cinnamon chips (2 cups or do half cinnamon chips and half milk chocolate chips).

Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cloves
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup applesauce
1 - 2 cups chocolate chips (depending on how chocolatey you like your cookies)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
3. Add flour, salt, cinnamon and cloves and mix until just combined.
4. In small bowl combine applesauce and baking soda. Microwave for one minute until applesauce is warm (it will turn a brownish color while it heats because it is oxidizing, don't worry, it is just fine). Add the applesauce mixture to the batter and mix until well blended.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and any additional add-ons (see above).
6. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.