Birthday Cake Cookies

This guy just had a birthday, and you know what that means? Don't say cake, because I made something even better.

I don't think there's anything he's ever put in a request for, except for these cookies.

They're delicious, of course, I mean... I made them. But there's something almost nostalgic about these cookies, I bite into the first one out of the oven and I swear I can taste my childhood.

If you could create the Ben & Jerry’s of baked goods, what would you put in it? Come on now, use those milky creative juices and think outside the cookie jar.

If you’re anything like me, you answered that question correctly: cake, chocolate, and applesauce.

That’s right, I said applesauce. In any oil-based recipe, I substitute the oil with no sugar added, all natural applesauce. Since the cake mix alone has so much sugar and fat to begin with, I don’t want to add any extra fat or cholesterol with oil if I don’t have to.

Substituting applesauce isn’t a noticeable change in the final product, which is why you should always use this trick for a low fat food. Your food will come out slightly more moist and a little bit sweeter, but do not change the bake time. Low fat foods dry out very quickly if overcooked.

For conversion tips and more info on my trick, visit http://musselmans.com/recipes/apple-sauce-swap/

Today I’m making Birthday Cake Cookies. They’re colorful, light, fluffy and certifiably satisfying. You’ll have just as fun making these as you will eating them.

 What you need

1 box Funfetti cake mix

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup color sprinkles

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup white chocolate chips

How to make it

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and baking powder. In a small bowl, mix together the eggs, applesauce and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the cake mix and baking powder and stir to combine.
3. Stir in the sprinkles and chocolate morsels.
4. Drop by spoonful onto a cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy!