Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir to blend.

Step 3

In another bowl, whisk the sugars, oil, egg, applesauce and vanilla together until light and fluffy.

Step 4

Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two additions until the batter is very well blended. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out.

Step 5

Fold in chocolate chips. Drop by level tablespoons about 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets.

Step 6

Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with sea salt if using, and let them stand 5 minutes before removing the cookies from the pans to cool on wire racks.