These nutty cookies with a chewy center and crisp crinkly top are also vegan gluten free and simply divine. One of the best cookie recipes you'll ever make, egg free and dairy free, If you love nuts these are definitely for you!
To the bowl of a food processor add the walnut pieces together with the brown sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Use the pulse button and process until the mixture resembles wet sand.
3 cups raw nuts, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 pinch sea salt
In a medium mixing bowl combine the apricot jam with the water and vanilla extract. Add the walnut mixture. Use a spatula and combine everything until a dough is formed. Sprinkle in the walnut or almond flour and combine again until incorporated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cookie dough for 20 minutes.
2 Tbsp apricot jam, 3 Tbsp rum or water, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup almond or walnut flour
Preheat your oven to 375”F. Prepare a small bowl with the powder sugar and have a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper ready.
Use a tablespoon and scoop out the cookie dough, shape into a round ball. Alternatively use your finger to help push the dough out of the spoon straight into the powder sugar bowl. Toss to coat lightly then transfer to the cookie sheet. (The powder sugar coating is optional but yields nice crinkle snowball cookies). Repeat with the remaining cookie dough and make sure to leave plenty of space between the cookies. You should end up with 21 cookies.
powder sugar for coating
Bake the cookies for 13 minutes, turn off the heat and allow cookies to sit in the oven for 2 extra minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool off completely. Store uncovered at room temperature for a couple of days or in airtight jars/ containers for up to 10 days.
Video
Notes
Crispness - To get a crispy bottom cookie let the cookies sit in the oven for an extra couple of minutes with the door slightly open after you turn it off.
The Crinkle Effect - In order to get the crinkle effect make sure to coat the cookies in powdered sugar before baking.
Do you have to chill the cookie dough? - Yes absolutely! This is a very important step. Once the dough is firm the cookies are easy to roll and shape, and even more important this will ensure your cookies won't get flat during baking. So don't forget to Chill the Cookie Dough!
Can I make them sugar free?- For a healthy cookie you can swap the brown sugar for Erythritol which bakes almost identical to sugar, however it is not quite as sweet so you might want to add a little bit more.