Alaska Molasses Cookies

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup apple sauce 
• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 6 tablespoons butter softened
• 0.3 cup blackstrap molasses dark
• 1 large eggs 
• 1 cup flour all-purpose
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 1.3 cups sugar divided
• 1 cup pastry flour whole wheat

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• paper towels
• oven
• knife
• whisk
• blender
• spatula
• measuring cup

Directions

1. Spoon applesauce onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spread to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand 5 minutes.
2. Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula.
3. Combine applesauce, 1 cup sugar, and butter; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes).
4. Add molasses and egg; beat well.
5. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.
6. Combine flours and next 5 ingredients (flours through cloves), stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating until blended. Cover and freeze dough 30 minutes or until firm.
7. Preheat oven to 37
8. With moist hands, shape dough into 32 (1-inch) balls.
9. Roll balls in 1/4 cup sugar.
10. Place 3 inches apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray.
11. Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on pans 5 minutes.
12. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.