No-Bake Nutella Cookies with Coconut and Dried Cherries

Usually beautiful and temperate San Luis Obispo is currently experiencing a heat wave. It’s been over 90 degrees for most of the last week, and broke 100 today. Needless to say, the last thing I wanted to do when I got home was turn on my oven. A reasonable decision, but one that left me with an urgent question: How do you bake without an oven? After 15 minutes on the web, I came across this recipe for no-bake cookies. Healthy no-bake cookies, in fact. 

I was all set to make these when a friend mentioned her favorite no-bake cookies were made with coconut and dried cherries. The combo practically shouted “warm summer snacking!”, but I wasn’t sure how those flavors would play with peanut butter. So, I wandered up and down the grocery aisles until I came across the perfect solution: Nutella. 

I’ve got to say, I’m a no-bake cookie convert. Whip up the original recipe, or my summer-themed version below. 

Ingredients

2 cups Nutella

8 tbsp agave syrup

1 1/3 tbsp vanilla extract

1 cup flaxseed meal

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup dried cherries

Directions

Add Nutella, agave, and vanilla to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. 

Add flaxseed and rolled oats. Combine with an electric mixer, fork, or your hands (there’s no need to worry about overworking the dough as you would with other cookies). Stir in coconut and dried cherries.

Form dough into small balls approximately 1-inch in diameter. Makes approximately 50 cookies.