Curtis' Favorite Chocolate Applesauce Cookies

This recipe goes by a few names. Mine obviously refers to the fact that this is Curtis' favorite cookie. My brother-in-law calls it "Brian's Quorum Applesauce Cookies." (Why "quorum?" Probably because one batch makes enough cookies to feed a quorum, or even a plenum.) You can mess around with the ingredients a bit and the final product will still turn out well. I've used pumpkin puree when I didn't have applesauce on hand, and the resulting cookies tasted different but were no less delicious. Two things, though: 1) do NOT use metal bowls for this and 2) make sure your baking soda is nice and fresh, as it's the only leavening agent.

CURTIS' FAVORITE CHOCOLATE APPLESAUCE COOKIES
1 cup softened butter
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
4 2/3 cups flour*
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. salt
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup walnuts (or more if desired)
2 cups applesauce
1 12 oz. package chocolate chips
2 t. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar; beat in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, spices and salt until well combined. In a third bowl (this can be a small one), mix together the applesauce and baking soda (it should fizz), then add to the butter mixture in the large bowl. Slowly add dry flour mixture to wet butter mixture until all is combined. Then add oatmeal, nuts and chocolate chips and mix well.

Drop spoonfuls onto GREASED cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Makes a lot, but Curtis always seems to make them disappear.

Contributor: Curtis. And also Brian.

*For better taste and texture, Curtis recommends substituting 1 cup of the white flour with either whole wheat flour or wheat germ.