Step 1

In a stand-up mixer, cream together vegan butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add vanilla extract and applesauce.

Step 2

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and soda, and salt. With the mixer running on the lowest setting, slowly add in the flour mixture until dough is uniformly mixed. Be careful not to over mix. Cover and chill dough for one hour.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a cookie scoop, scoop cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. With a fork, gently flatten cookies in a criss-cross pattern.

Step 4

Bake for 10 minutes until lightly brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for an additional 10 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling racks and let cookies cool completely.

Step 5

If dipping in chocolate: Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler (this can be a bowl placed over a saucepan with water) or microwave.Dip the cooled cookies into the chocolate, sprinkle with crushed peanuts, and place on a parchment paper to let the chocolate set up completely.