My childhood holiday seasons were always filled with Grandma Kenrick’s infamous “Christmas rocks.” These cookies looked a little like rocks, but they were sweet and chewy, and they had the perfect amount of spice. They were so delicious that this was the first recipe I modified to be free of eggs, processed sugar, and oil. This sugar-free fruit version is sweetened with apples, strawberries, and dates! With this healthy-tasty combo, these cookies are perfect to enjoy all year long.

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By Katie Mae,

Ingredients

  • 3 cups rolled oats, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
  • 1 cup applesauce, no added sugar
  • 1¼ cup strawberry fruit spread, no added sugar
  • 8 dates, pitted and diced
  • ¾ cup pecan pieces

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix 1½ cups of the rolled oats, the baking powder, and the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) in a large bowl and set aside.
  • In either a blender or food processor, combine the ground flaxseed, ¾ cup water, applesauce, and the remaining 1½ cups of rolled oats. Process until the batter has an even consistency. Then, add the strawberry jam, and blend for a few seconds to combine.
  • Pour the fruit mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Whisk until everything is evenly mixed. Then stir in the dates and pecans. The mixture should be slightly wet; don’t expect to shape the cookies into balls.
  • Drop 12 spoonfuls of dough onto each baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes and then enjoy warm! Store any uneaten cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

Comments (1)

(3 from 1 vote)

Recipe Rating

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Judy

I don't know what went wrong, but the middle of the cookies didn't get baked through despite leaving them in the oven for 9 additional minutes until the bottoms started to brown. The flavor is OK for a personal snack but I would not share these cookies with friends or family.

About the Author

Headshot of Katie Mae

About the Author

Katie Mae

Chef Katie Mae is the founder of The Culinary Gym, an online hub for learning, practicing, and mastering whole-food, plant-based cuisine. Since 2011, she has been teaching at TrueNorth Health Center and Dr. McDougall’s residential health programs. Witnessing patients radically transform their health inspired her to create an in-depth culinary curriculum to help people embrace a whole-food, plant-based diet at home. With a master’s degree in nutrition from Bastyr University and a personal passion for flavor science, Mae teaches how to prepare food that’s both health-promoting and mouthwatering. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.
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