Holiday “Baking” Series: No Bake Fruit and Nut Drop Cookies
No Bake Fruit and Nut Drop Cookies ( Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free)
These cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, sugar-free, yet not taste-free. They are simply delicious and wholesome! They almost count as raw too, but as I am not so versed in raw foods, I am not sure if nut butters count. I am really happy with these cookies. I made a version of them last year , but these are much better!
Being gluten-free and trying to avoid typical holiday cookies that call for lots of sweeteners, like confectioner’s sugar, I have had to do some experimenting this year. So far it has been a lot of fun, and I still have another batch or two of holiday cookies that I’d like to do GF/ Real Food makeovers on.
These cookies are entirely guilt-free, actually good for you, and so satisfying in the sweet tooth department. Plus they are very festive with the addition of rum!
So if you are looking for a cookie you can really indulge in this year, or need a cookie that won’t flare up your food allergies, this is a sure bet! If you are allergic to some nuts, substitute others in. If you can’t do nuts at all, I think tahini and raw honey as a sweetener would work well. These are just a few flavor combinations that I tried. But my mind is already racing with all the different ways I can spin these cookies!
INGREDIENTS:
Apricot-Hazelnut
1 cup finely chopped, unsulphured dried apricots
1 cup dessicated unsweetened coconut
1 cup chopped hazelnuts*
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 oz almond butter (sub in any nut butter or tahini)
2 oz coconut cream concentrate (or just use more nut butter/tahini)
2 TBS dark rum
1 TBS date syrup
Almond-Date
1 cup finely chopped, unsulphured dried dates
1 cup dessicated unsweetened coconut
1 cup chopped almonds*
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 oz coconut peanut butter (sub in any nut butter or tahini)
2 oz coconut cream concentrate (or just use more nut butter/tahini)
2 TBS dark rum
1 TBS date syrup
METHOD:
I used my food processor to chop the nuts and dried fruits. I also used the processor to blend together the nut butter, coconut cream, rum and date syrup into a paste. In a large bowl combine all ingredients and mix well with your hands. Shape into one inch bite sized balls. Store in the fridge – makes 4-5 dozen.
*note I generally use nuts that have been soaked overnight for better digestibility.
Rosa - December 8, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Oh, I love those! They are very healthy and addictive.
Cheers,
Rosa
Rachel Joyce - December 8, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I’m looking to nail down a veg/non-dairy client with kids so this recipe is so stellar! I can’t wait to try it out!
Diana@Spain in Iowa - December 8, 2010 at 12:57 pm
These look so good Jenn! I’ll have to give them a try for Christmas!
Coco Cooks - December 8, 2010 at 1:12 pm
These do look good. I love using coconut cream in a dessert as it makes it so rich!
datehoney - December 8, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Love it! Can we put this on the http://www.101usesfordatesyrup.wordpress.com site?
Francesca De Grandis - December 8, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Yum!! I bet they’d be great even without rum and date syrup! Thanks!!!
Stella - December 8, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I love drops like this, Jenn! Yours look very festive. Ooh, and I’ve yet to try something like this with apricot. They are my favorite, so I will;)!
Ben - December 9, 2010 at 7:29 am
Now that’s a thought I can live with, guilt free cookies. They look delicious!
bellini - December 9, 2010 at 10:23 am
L’il Burnt Toast made a similar version a few Christmas’ ago and they were a hit!!
Arlene (MOM) - December 9, 2010 at 11:45 am
Nice adaptation of this one. Bet they taste as good as they look.
5 Star Foodie - December 9, 2010 at 3:48 pm
These sound terrific, I love both flavor combinations!
Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul - December 9, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I love these…I had something similar from a food stall at the market recently. I also love the flavour combinations you came up with.
Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul - December 9, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I love these type of “no cook” cookies…your flavour combinations sound amazing too Jenn…mmmm….coconut cream!
Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul - December 9, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I love these no bake cookies Jenn…especially the ones with the coconut cream…mmm!!!!
kat - December 9, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Woo hoo for guilt free treats!
peter - December 11, 2010 at 8:41 am
These (no bake) cookies taste far better than one would think and all naturally sweetened!
Bren - December 14, 2010 at 10:37 am
ooh yummy! What a perfect hand-made gift! I love them…
Marillyn @ just-making-noise - December 24, 2011 at 1:33 am
Awesome! I got my eye on the Almond Date