1. Start with the streusels – combine spelt flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Add the butter and vanilla extract. Rub everything between your fingers to create different-sized streusels. Place in the fridge until needed.

2. For the cookie dough, add the butter and brown sugar to a large bowl. Mix for several minutes until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until well combined. Next, add the apple sauce and vanilla extract and mix in. In a separate bowl, combine spelt flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, salt, and chopped nuts. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl and fold in. Let the cookie dough sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and set aside.

4. Use a large cookie scoop* and place dough portions with enough space in between on the prepared baking sheet – you probably have to bake in two batches. Use a round cookie cutter* that is slightly larger than the dough portion and place it on the baking sheet so it sits snug around a dough. Add some streusels on top and press them slightly into the dough – the cookie cutter should keep everything in place. It’s ok if you lose some streusels when removing the cookie cutter. Do the same with every dough portion, then bake the cookies for about 15-16 minutes in the preheated oven. Take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool down for some time on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool down completely. Repeat the process if you got leftover cookie dough and streusels.

5. Decorate the cooled applesauce cookies with sugar glaze to your liking (optional).