Apple & Spice Drops

Total Time: 36 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 11 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried apples, chopped into 3/8 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup apple juice or 1/2 cup apple cider
• 2 cups flour, plus
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup lightly packed light brown sugar, plus
• 1 tablespoon lightly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon, zest of
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Recipe

• 1 place the apples and juice in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• 2 bring to a simmer, and simmer for 1 minute, tossing the apples once or twice with a wooden spoon.
• 3 drain the apples of any juice, and place them on a double sheet of paper towels.
• 4 roll them up in the towels and squeeze out any excess juice; unroll the towels and let the apples sit, uncovered, while preparing the dough.
• 5 preheat oven to 425*f; line a few cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• 6 sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; set aside.
• 7 using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the butter, both sugars, vanilla, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
• 8 add the eggs; blend well.
• 9 reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined.
• 10 stir in the apples, raisins, and walnuts just until they are mixed in; do not overmix.
• 11 drop dough by heaping tbsp.
• 12 2" apart onto the cookie sheets; bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are puffed.
• 13 cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheets; transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
• 14 these are best the day they're baked; they tend to get soggy because of the moisture from the apples.