This four-ingredient recipe reincarnates an apricot crumble into a healthy, no-bake cookie! They are chewy, sweet, and require zero use of the oven.
I certainly don’t do this enough, but every once and a while I take a step back and think about where I was a year ago today. Given that you change so much in your teens and twenties, it shouldn’t be any surprise to me that I feel so different and my life situation is so different year after year! Today, for example. A year ago today I was living on friends’ couches in DC, as I transitioned from the DC office to the SF office for work. My lease was up, and I had already taken a bunch of my stuff home to California, but I was kind of in a waiting zone. I had just gotten back from visiting Nate in Turkey, and he was in Israel by this time. I don’t think we had determined when we were going to see each other next (last June Nate embarked on an 8-month global adventure) and I wasn’t sure if my transfer to SF was going to be approved and I was certainly all over the place emotionally and physically with no home! Well a year later…
A year later we just hosted our housewarming party in our new apartment in San Francisco, and it was amazing to see that in the short time we’ve been here, how many friends we can round up. A year later, Nate isn’t traveling anymore, and is enjoying his snazzy new start up job. A year later, I am loving the SF office that I transferred to and adore my project team. A year later, I have my own home again - no friends couches or living with my parents! (Although both were awesome). I wish I had been able to tell myself a year ago that everything would kind of settle out. And probably even if it didn’t work out as well as it did, there would still be a great change from where I was before, and probably for the better! I don’t consider myself a person that gets stressed out easily, but I definitely look back on last August as a time that I did not recognize that I was actually really stressed out. It took a toll on my eating habits too - when I didn’t have control over my house/transfer/relationship - I became very controlled with my food.
Anyways, the only reason why I started down this path this morning is because there are a few things that remind me of my first visit to Nate, a year ago, during the beginning of his travels. One of the biggest memory triggers is dried fruit. We SUBSISTED off dried fruit in Turkey. Or at least I did. Dried figs and dates and apricots galore! Turkish food is pretty incredible, and they are great at drying just about anything and they take great pride in the fact that they can “stuff” just about anything too - eggplants and grapeleaves, to name a few. I truly have to limit my dried fruit or else I would happily eat it all the time. Something about the texture reminds me of gummy candy! My dad and I used to polish off a bag of twizzlers like it was our jobs growing up. It’s still a father/daughter indulgence to this day.
I know I haven’t talked much about these cookies, but their easy ingredient breakdown and flavors make these a win/win in my book. I love that they hold up really well so you can saran wrap one and bring to work as a snack. They also freeze wonderfully, so just take them out and let thaw a bit before digging in. We had a couple of recipe fails the day I put these together so I was so happy when this turned out well - but it is a foolproof recipe. Hey just thought about this - a year ago, I didn’t have this food blog in this amazing community of food bloggers!
Apologies if you weren’t expecting this ramble today - sometimes I’m inspired by the food I’m writing about and sometimes I go down a completely different path! I write it to you, slightly hungover from our housewarming party, with Nate snoozing away next to me looking like a princess with a sleeping mask on and ear plugs in. I think it’s time to wake him up. If you had told me a year ago that we’d be happily hosting parties in our new apartment in San Francisco, I’m not sure I would have believed you. But I’m so grateful and thankful and at peace now, it seems worth the wait.
- 1 cup dried apricots
- ½ cup raw almonds
- ¼ cup oats
- 2 tbsp softened coconut oil
- 3 tbsp raw honey
- 3 tbsp cinnamon
- Optional: shredded coconut for dusting
- Place all ingredients into the food processor
- Pulse until combined
- Mold into a large ball and cover in saran wrap; place in freezer for 10 minutes
- Remove and for 1½ inch balls and press into a "cookie" shape
- At this point, you can sprinkle a little coconut flakes on top of each
- Store in the fridge!
Note: these are not vegan due to the honey used. I have not tried these using maple syrup instead of honey, but I believe they still would hold up together well.
If you like these, you’ll love: No-Bake Vegan Brownies











It is definitely amazing how much can change in a year! Love that everything seems to have worked itself out and that you are in a much less stressful place in life!
Joanne recently posted…15 30-Minute Back-to-School Recipes
For sure! Thank you!
I LOVE dried apricots so much! This looks amazing!
We change so much from year to year, it is just usually less obvious. A year ago I hadn’t met my little boy, I was still living in NYC and working full time. Now I’m a SAHM and living in Brazil!
Britt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Friday’s Food & Fitness: All the Good Things
WOW that is quite the change!! Thats pretty amazing.
These look awesome!
Ashley | the Pike Place Kitchen recently posted…Sunday Sprinkles
Thank you!!
It’s so amazing to look back on the past year and think about how much has changed!! …and wow. These look amazing!! I tried no bake cookies for this first time this summer and can I just say, I’m hooked!! SO good! …about to checkout your no-bake vegan brownies now!! They look amazing as well! YUM!
Cailee recently posted…Hello Healthy Walking!
Oh man - I may like those no-bake vegan brownies even more than these. I think it’s the dark chocolate - gets me every time! 🙂
Reflecting back on life and where it has taken you is always interesting. It’s something I try to do often as well, to evaluate my life. I am so glad everything for you and Nate have worked out so well and that you both are happy! But, you also have THESE delicious cookies in your life- who could be sad while eating these? 😉 LOVE these, Dani! Apricot is so delicious, especially dried! But, magically spun into a cookie, that is also gluten free? YESSS! Gimme that! Cheers, girlfriend!
Haha - you summed these cookies up perfectly!
I loved reading your ramble! Especially the part about Nate snoozing like a princess with a sleeping mask 😉
I also love dried fruit, apricots especially. Like I have to be careful and only buy them occasionally or I will eat the whole bag in a few days. But these cookies look like a good excuse to run out and buy some.
Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…That rug really tied the room together
Me and dried fruit have a love/hate relationship in that way too. It’s like natural gummy bears…I can never eat just one!
It’s amazing how much can change in a year, isn’t it.
I am loving the sound of these cookies. Apricot is one of those flavours that I always forget how amazing it is.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on The Ultimate Breakfast Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Manali @ CookWithManali
It is so distinct! I could easily eat dozens of dried apricots.
I love thinking about where I was a year ago! It is always so empowering to see what has changed for the better over the past year! I’m glad things are now looking much better for you!
I started eating dried apricots a few years ago and I’m obsessed! They have such a great flavor and I bet they are awesome in these cookies 🙂
Izzy @She Likes Food recently posted…One Pot Stove Top Enchiladas – Summer Style
Thank you! Yup - it is empowering - that’s a great word choice 🙂
These look so crazy good! You seriously have the best ideas!
I also am a big reminiscer!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Things I’m Loving Lately 15
Haha - thank you! And the reminiscing is nice every once and a while for sure 🙂
I love apricots, and now you made a healthy cookie with them, perfect, and the coconut combo is nice.pinning!
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies recently posted…Ecote Boho Jumpsuit for a Beach Adventure
I love apricots too - the more ways to eat them, the better!
I love the simple, healthy ingredient list! I love apricots but haven’t been eating enough of them lately - both fresh and dried. Need to get on that stat!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness recently posted…Week 3 Workout Recap: Excited to Get Back Outdoors!
It’s the time of year for apricots! Go get some!
These cookies look incredible! I love how simple they are - and I bet they are super tasty! I definitely need to try these, I absolutely love apricots.
Keri @ Fashionable Foods recently posted…Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas
Me too! Let me know if you try!
Mmm! These look so moist and soft! And not to mention all of that apricot flavor going on up in here! 😉 Thanks for sharing, Dani! Pinned! 😀
Kennedy Cole@KCole’s Creative Corner recently posted…Buttermilk Biscuits with Sausage Gravy
They were really moist and soft! Surprising for a raw cookie - for sure. Maybe it was the oats/almond combo!
I was really looking for a raw cookie recipe and looks like my search ends here! Can’t wait to try it, Dani! Looks so delicious! pinning!
Savita @ ChefDeHome recently posted…By ChefDeHome- One Pot Curry Chicken and Rice
Oh I’m so glad to hear that!!
I like that idea to reflect back on what happened one year ago! It’s been quite a big change for you but I’m so glad to hear it’s worked out for the best!
And these cookies are the perfect way to reflect. It doesn’t easier or more delicious than this!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Flourless Blueberry Banana Muffins
Thank you! I am too. It’s been fun to use the blog and cooking to reflect 🙂
I’ve actually never tried apricots before! What better way to do so though than in cookie form!??? I also totally hear you in the whole life doing a 180 every year situation! I as well went from moving away from home, moving into an apartment, and buying a house all within a year! It’s crazy how life changes so quickly 🙂
Megan @ Straight From The Jar recently posted…Mediterranean Grilled Lamb and Veggie Jar
That is a wild ride in a year! Congratulations on all of the changes!
These look SO yummy. Pinning!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…WEIGHT TRAINING WORKOUT #2
They were yummy!!
I loved reading the story behind this recipe 🙂 it is nice to reflect back and see how much has changed, even one year back. I love dried fruit.
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Link Love #30 and a wedding on Amelia Island
Yes - that’s a good way to put it. Reflecting back!
oh these sound so good! Love that they are no-bake!!! 🙂
Rachel @ athletic avocado recently posted…Toasted Coconut Pecan Streusel Muffins
So fun and easy!
I love apricot + coconut together, mmm!
Yes - agreed! Tropical!