Apple Strudel Cookies

This recipe is a creative experiment of mine that I have to say was quite wonderful! I've never seen anything quite like it but it is based on traditional German apple strudel, which is a pastry made with apples, butter, spices and typically currants, raisins and sometimes nuts. My initial effort was to make a somewhat healthy treat for my boys, Connor is at the age where he should be eating better and I'm trying to find things he'll eat. After I made them (luckily before Riley ate any) I read the labels and found walnuts as an ingredient so he is out of luck on this one. I guess theres just more for me and little Connor (since my husband despises raisins and most dried fruits)

I made these treats with a popular brand of Muesli  that can be found in most grocery marts across the states, its typically found in the organic or health food section amongst alternative flours. For years I have made my own with a mixture of ingredients, but I just happened to have this on hand. I remember finding it at the grocery mart and being so thrilled! It has a lot of things that I wouldn't otherwise have on hand. Its got oats, flaxseed, barley, triticale, as well as dried fruits, nuts and seeds. If you've got a home made version of your own or another brand feel free to substitute.  In addition to the muesli I used dried apples as well as home made apple butter. It really brings apple to the party in a whole new way! These are wonderful treats are great with a glass of milk or cider, and they would even be good for a quick breakfast on the go!

Apple Strudel Cookies: (Apfelstrudelplätzchen?)
6 tablespoons butter (soft)
2 tablespoons apple butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups Muesli
3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
*fresh grated nutmeg
3/4 cup dried apples diced/cut small (I use kitchen shears to cut most dried fruits)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl combine muesli, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. In a large bowl or in your mixer bowl beat together butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Once combined add the apple butter, then the egg and vanilla. Scrape the sides of your bowl and add the muesli and flour mixture slowly. Do not over beat, just mix it until its mostly combined. Add the apples to the mixture and scoop large spoonfuls onto a parchment lined, or silicone mat on a cookie sheet. I used a large standard sized disher scoop. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

You could use the smaller sized cookie scoops and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Allow to cool at least 10-15 minutes before trying to remove from the pan. These are very moist and chewy cookies. I remove mine with the silicone mat and place the whole mat on the cooling rack.

Makes approximately 8-10 large cookies, 1 1/2 dozen standard sized cookies.