Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup peeled, finely chopped apple (about 1 medium apple)
½ cup rolled oats (optional)
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. If using, add nutmeg to the mix.
Cream the butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Incorporate the dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
Fold in the apples and oats: Gently fold the chopped apples and oats (if using) into the dough. The dough will be slightly sticky due to the moisture from the apples.
Scoop the dough: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the cookies are set.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
Apples: You can use any variety of apples, but Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work great for their balance of sweetness and tartness.
Enjoy!