Soft Ginger-Apple Cookies Recipe

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
• Apple Buttercream frosting
• Slivered crystallized ginger

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in remaining ingredients, except flour and crystallized ginger, until blended (mixture will look curdled).
   
   
2. With mixer on low speed, add flour and beat just until blended; stir in crystallized ginger.
   
   
3. Drop by level tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until tops look dry. Cool on baking sheet 1 minute before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
   
   
4. Spread a rounded teaspoon of buttercream frosting on each cooled cookie. Sprinkle with slivered crystallized ginger. Refrigerate in an airtight container with wax paper between layers.