Maple-Nut Oatmeal Cream Pies

In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. In another bowl, beat eggs, applesauce, water, oil, and vanilla until well mixed, then stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. DON’T overmix. Gently fold in the nuts.

Drop batter by 2 tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet, shaping each into a circle. Bake at 350F for 9-10 minutes or until tops are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small mixing bowl, beat filling ingredients together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add a tablespoonful of milk if you’d like it thinner. (I usually add 1 or 2.) Spread over the bottom of half the cookies; top with remaining cookies. Store in the refrigerator.

Makes about 24 sandwich cookies.

Note: If you find that they spread too much when baking, add a few tablespoonfuls of flour to the remaining batter.