Molasses Cookies

From Cooking Light, date unknown

½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
6 Tablespoons butter, softened
¼ cup dark molasses
1 large egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
cooking spray

1. Spoon applesauce onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spread to ½ inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand 5 minutes. Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula.

2. Combine applesauce, 1 cup sugar, and butter; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes). Add molasses and egg; beat well.

3. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine fours and next 5 ingredients (flours through cloves), stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating until well blended. Cover and freeze dough 30 minutes or until firm.

4. Preheat oven to 375°.

5. With moist hands, shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in ¼ cup sugar. Place 3 inches apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks. Yield: 32 cookies (I usually get much more, even with 1" balls, although mine are usually smaller - easier for the toddler to eat!)

Nutrition info:
Serving size: 1 cookie
Calories: 88 (25% from fat)
Fat: 2.4g (sat. 1.4g, mono 0.7g, poly 0.1g)
Protein: 1.2g
Carb: 16g
Fiber: 0.7g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Iron: 0.7g
Sodium: 141mg
Calcium: 16mg