Gluten-Free Tahini Cherry Monster Cookies

Prep: 15 minCook: 10 min12 cookiesmedium
Tahini Cherry Monster Cookies with Oats and Pecans

Chewy, hearty cookies packed with tahini's nutty richness, tart dried cherries, crunchy pecans, and sweet white chocolate chunks. The combination of quick oats and warming spices creates a satisfying texture that's both rustic and indulgent. Perfect for afternoon snacking or sharing at gatherings, these monster-sized treats offer a sophisticated twist on the classic oatmeal cookie with Middle Eastern tahini adding depth and protein.

Ingredients

Yield: 12 cookies
  • ½ cup tahini
    almond butter1:1nut-freeadds dairy

    nutty flavor

    Full guide →
  • cup pecans, chopped, toasted
  • cup coconut sugar
    brown sugar1:1budget

    slightly different sweetness

    Full guide →
  • cup almond milk
  • 1 ½ cups quick rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • cup white chocolate chunks
    dark chocolate1:1less_sweet

    richer flavor

    Full guide →
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup dried cherries
    dried cranberries1:1availability

    tart flavor maintained

    Full guide →
  • flake salt, to garnish

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

  2. 2

    In a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer, blend together tahini, coconut sugar, almond milk, egg, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt

  3. 3

    Add oats, pecans, white chocolate chunks, and dried cherries, mixing until evenly incorporated

  4. 4

    Using a cookie scoop, portion batter onto baking sheet and gently flatten with palm of hand

  5. 5

    Sprinkle with flake salt

  6. 6

    Bake for 10-12 minutes

  7. 7

    Cool for 10 minutes before serving

Tips

Tip 1

Toast pecans beforehand for deeper flavor and extra crunch

Tip 2

Flatten cookies gently to ensure even baking while maintaining chewy texture

Tip 3

Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet for best texture

Good to Know

Storage

Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days

Make Ahead

Dough can be portioned and refrigerated up to 2 days before baking

Serve With

Best served at room temperature for optimal chewy texture

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't overbake to avoid hard cookies

Watch

Don't skip flattening step or cookies will be too thick

Substitutions

Nut-Free Alternatives

tahini
almond butter1:1nut-freeadds dairy

nutty flavor

Full guide →

General Alternatives

coconut sugar
brown sugar1:1budget

slightly different sweetness

Full guide →
dried cherries
dried cranberries1:1availability

tart flavor maintained

Full guide →
white chocolate
dark chocolate1:1less_sweet

richer flavor

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make these without eggs?

Try replacing the egg with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, though texture may be slightly different.

How long do these cookies keep?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Can I use regular oats instead of quick oats?

Yes, but pulse regular oats a few times in a food processor first to break them down slightly for better texture.