Low-Fat Black And White Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

cookies
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 large egg whites
icing
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
3 tablespoons milk or 3 tablespoons light cream, divided
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa (melted chocolate is also acceptable)

Preparation

COOKIE: Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Set applesauce in a fine sieve to drain while you prepare the other ingredients.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Beat in applesauce, vanilla and lemon juice. Add in egg whites and beat until well combined. Stir in flour mixture until batter is smooth.
Drop batter two tablespoonfuls at a time onto the prepared baking sheet. Smooth slightly to form nice, round circles.
Bake for 10 minutes, until set but not browned.
Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
ICING: When cookies are cool, prepare the icing. Sift 3/4 cup confectioners sugar into two small bowls. Add 1 tbsp milk and the almond and vanilla extracts to one bowl and stir until smooth. Add cocoa and 2 tbsp milk to the other bowl and stir until smooth.
Using a small knife and working over the bowls to catch drips, spread each icing over half of each cookie. Set on a rack until icing is set, then store cookies in an airtight container.