Zesty Orange Oatmeal Cookies

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Zesty Orange Oatmeal Cookies.

1. Step 1

   Start by preheating your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.

2. Step 2

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This is where the magic begins!

3. Step 3

   Next, gently stir in the beaten egg white and applesauce into the butter mixture. Mix until just combined; you want to keep that light and airy texture.

4. Step 4

   Now, it’s time to add some zest! Squeeze the juice from your zesty navel orange and fold in the orange zest. This will give your cookies a refreshing burst of flavor.

5. Step 5

   In a separate bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour, quick-cooking oats, optional chopped walnuts, baking soda, cream of tartar, and ground cinnamon. Once combined, fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until everything is evenly incorporated. Don’t overmix; we want those cookies to stay tender!

6. Step 6

   Using a heaping tablespoon, drop the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each dollop to allow for spreading.

7. Step 7

   Pop the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly browned. The aroma will be irresistible!

8. Step 8

   Once baked, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy the delightful texture and flavor of your homemade cookies!