Apricot Sunflower Seed Cookies

I’m always on the lookout for unique healthy cookie ingredients. I had a bunch of beautiful apricots in my pantry, so decided to pair them with healthy sunflower seeds for a batch of my crunchy Apricot Sunflower Seed Cookies. These healthy little guys pack a nutrient-rich punch:

Apricots are a great source of fiber, they are also packed full of minerals such as calcium and potassium. I prefer to buy my apricots organic and not treated with sulfur or any other additive. When they are untreated, they are a beautiful deep brown color and taste like caramel. I love the Made In Nature Dried Apricots, which are grown in Turkey.

Sunflower seeds are packed with nutrition too: They are beneficial for Thyroid health, and one of the most heart-healthy seeds.

I decided to use almond flour/meal for my Apricot Sunflower Seed cookies because I wanted them to be gluten free.

They contain a little sugar in the form of Maple syrup, but not too much.

These nutty, crunchy cookies are the perfect afternoon treat when served with a cup of hot tea. Husbands and kids love them too – they’re VERY lunchbox friendly

Ingredients:

• 2  cups almond meal
• 1/2 cup organic oats
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 tbsp Tapioca starch or cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 2/3 cup maple syrup or coconut nectar (the coconut nectar gives them a caramel taste!!!)
• 1/3 cup coconut oil or Earth Balance Vegan Spread (the latter gives them a buttery taste)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees F
2. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Add apricots and combine well.
4. Place maple syrup/coconut nectar or vegan spread/coconut oil in a small pan and heat until melted.
5. Add vanilla to maple syrup mixture.
6. Pour maple syrup mixture into dry ingredients and combine really well.
7. Scoop out golf-ball size balls and flatten into disks.
8. Place disks on parchment-lined baking sheet.
9. Bake for 20 minutes or until crisp and golden
10. Cool on a wire rack.

These cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.