FROSTED APPLE GINGER SOFT COOKIES

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together until fluffy. Beat in the applesauce, egg, ginger, baking soda, and salt until blended. The mixture will look sort of curdled.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour beating just until blended.

Drop the dough by level tablespoonfuls about 2-inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the tops look dry. Cool on the baking sheets for 1 minute then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

While the cookies cool, make the following frosting:

APPLE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
1 pkg (3-oz) cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 to 2 tbsp apple juice (enough to make frosting spreadable)

In a medium mixing bowl beat the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Gradually add the apple juice until the frosting is of spreading consistency. Spread 1 teaspoon of the frosting on the top of each of the cooled cookies.

 Note: File Photo