Do you set out cookies and milk for Santa? It’s a tradition I’ve seen on TV and in the movies. Did my family? Nope. I’ve always wondered if people did it for real. The only thing I’ve done with cookies during the holidays is to give them as homemade gifts. Well, I’ve done cookie swaps too. This year I’ve already started with Amaretto Apricot Oatmeal Cookies. I made them for a virtual cookie exchange party with my fellow Sunday Supper tastemakers.
Janet Keeler is the host for the cookie party. She definitely knows cookies. You can easily tell her passion for them in her Cookielicious cookbook (Amazon affiliate link). Plus she continues to share new recipes for the Sunday Supper Movement’s Cookie Jar.
I did have another failure with these cookies. The first recipe I tried produced flat, gooey disks with no hope of ever being considered a cookie. I was most sad about losing all the dried apricots in that dough. Oh well, at least I had a couple of free bags in my pantry. They were some goodies I brought home from the PMA (Produce Marketing Association) convention.
Amaretto Apricot Oatmeal Cookies have almonds in them too. They help boost the Amaretto’s subtle flavor. Plus the nuts add crunch. The cookies are classic chewy oatmeal loaded with soft bits of apricot and crunchy almonds. The flavor combo is delightful too. Oats, apricots, and almonds go magnificently together.
Do you prefer cookies without booze in them? If so, there is an easy swap. Use 1/2 teaspoon almond extract plus 2 teaspoons water instead of the 1 tablespoon of amaretto. Then just call them Almond Apricot Oatmeal Cookies or Apricot Almond Oatmeal Cookies. Or call them “Mighty Fine Cookies” or whatever. Who really cares what they are named as long as they are good?
Are you looking for holiday cookie recipes? I know where you can quickly find a list. It just so happens to be below the recipe in this post. Scroll down to see it. Each recipe is a simple click away. I know I’ll be visiting each one. I do need to scout out for more tasty cookies to bake either for the holidays or beyond.
I have more apricot or holiday cookie recipes too. Take a look at No-Knead Apricot Sweet Rolls, Apricot Buttermilk Coffee Cake, Ginger Molasses Cutout Cookies, and Norwegian Almond Cookies.

Amaretto Apricot Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon amaretto * almond liqueur
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups uncooked old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick liner.
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Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs and amaretto and beat well.
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Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture and beat until just combined.
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Stir in oats, apricots, and almonds.
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Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
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Bake for 12 minutes, or until light golden brown.
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Cool cookies on baking sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.
Recipe Notes
You can substitute 1/2 teaspoon almond extract plus 2 teaspoons water for the amaretto if desired.
Are you ready to bake homemade cookies? Get out your mixer, baking sheets, and take a look at these holiday cookie recipes:
- Adaptable Marshmallow Bar Cookies by Get the Good Stuff
- Alfajores by Curious Cuisiniere
- Amaretto Apricot Oatmeal Cookies by Magnolia Days
- Amaretto Balls by Palatable Pastime
- Brown Eyed Susans by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Chewy Gingersnaps by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chocolate – Pear Biscotti by What Smells So Good?
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Coffee Cake Cookies by Pies and Plots
- Cowboy Cookies by Party Food and Entertaining
- Cranberry Orange Rugelach Cookies by My Imperfect Kitchen
- Dark Chocolate Mint Cake Mix Cookies by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Espresso-Ginger Sandwich Cookies by Wholistic Woman
- Espresso Snickerdoodles by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Frosted Ginger Spice Cookies by Daily Dish Recipes
- Funfetti Marshmallow Cookies by Brunch with Joy
- Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Gluten Free Hazelnut Truffle Cookies by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Gluten Free Nutella Linzer Cookies by Fearless Dining
- Green Tea Macarons with Chocolate Ganache by Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Holiday Nutrolls by Delaware Girl Eats
- Kolaczki by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Lemon Thumbprint Cookies by Cookin’ Mimi
- Macadamia Nut Butter Crisps by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies by Monica’s Table
- Mudslide Cookies by Books ‘n Cooks
- Nana’s Russian Teacakes by The Crumby Cupcake
- Old Fashioned Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Icing by Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Pfeffernüsse Cookies by Feeding Big
- Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies by Caroline’s Cooking
- Pizzelles by The Freshman Cook
- Snowball Cookies by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Spiked Eggnog Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Thai-Kissed Cookies by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Tipsy Chocolate Cherry Cookies by Christmas Tree Lane
- Toffee Squares by Ruffles & Truffles
- White Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps by Sunday Supper Movement
Plus 20 Cookie Baking Tips by Sunday Supper Movement
Join us for a #Cookielicious chat at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 1, on Twitter We will be sharing tips for cooking baking along with stories about our favorite family recipes. Follow the #Cookielicious hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great cookies recipes, check out our Cookie Jar Pinterest board.
Amy says
Your cookie look great, and I love your tin.
Liz says
I’m a huge fan of dried apricots, too! These cookies will go on my baking list—they look magnificent!
Medeja says
amaretto, almonds and apricots..these cookies sound really good!
Sara says
I love the tins and the paper! Everything is so perfectly festive! I can’t wait to try these!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
There are people who prefer cookies without booze in them? Really?? I don’t think I have ever met them LOL
Shelby says
Yes! Always left cookies for Santa!
Laura Dembowski says
I think I put cookies out for santa as a kid, even though I never really fully bought into the idea. I love baking with booze, but I’ve never put it in cookies. Time to give it a try with this recipe.
Nicole | Daily Dish Recipes says
Oh Renee, these cookies look absolutely amazing!! LOVE!! The flavors, oh yes!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Love amaretto! Such a unique and beautiful flavor combination in these oatmeal cookies. And the color is stunning, too.
Sarah says
We always put out shortbreads for Santa, but for the Italians this Xmas eve I think these cookies would be a hit!
Sue Lau says
So comforting and homestyle with that little bit of naughty! Love these!
Janette says
Soaked apricots in 2 tbsp amaretto & 2 tbsp water, and added 1 tsp fresh amaretto and the remainder of the soaking liquid. Super good cookies! Really love them!