Alaska Molasses Cookies

1/2 cup applesauce
1-1/4 cup sugar, divided
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 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
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Cooking spray

Spoon applesauce onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spread to 1/2- inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand five minutes. Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula.
Combine applesauce, 1-cup sugar and butter; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about three minutes). Add molasses and egg; beat well.
Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next five ingredients (flours through cloves), stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating until blended. Cover and freeze dough 30 minutes or until firm.
Preheat oven to 375-degrees. With moist hands, shape dough into 32 (1-inch) balls. Roll balls in 1/4-cup sugar. Place 3-inches apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375- degrees for eight to ten minutes. Cool on pans five minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
Recipe makes 32 cookies.
Nutrition information per cookie:
Calories: 88
Fat: 2.4g
Saturated Fat: 1.4g
Protein: 1/2g
Carbohydrate: 16g
Fiber: 0.7g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Sodium: 141mg

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