Easy Dark Chocolate Dipped Apricot Cookies: A Delightful Tangy Sweet Treat
These Easy Apricot Cookies are a true revelation, effortlessly blending a sweet, tender cookie base with the vibrant, tangy flavor of apricots. Each cookie is then exquisitely dipped in rich dark chocolate, creating a simply delightful and irresistible treat. Perfect for any occasion, these apricot sugar cookies are guaranteed to become a new family favorite!
Crafting this dark chocolate apricot cookie recipe is incredibly straightforward, thanks to a clever shortcut: we begin with a convenient packaged cookie mix as the foundation. To this, we incorporate sweet and tangy dried apricot bits, transforming a simple mix into an incredibly flavorful and gourmet-tasting dessert. These versatile apricot cookies are a fantastic choice for summer gatherings, offering a light and delicious dessert that can truly be enjoyed year-round.
Indulge in Chocolate Dipped Apricot Cookies
The magic of these cookies lies in the harmonious combination of flavors and textures. The slight bitterness of the dark chocolate perfectly complements the sweet cookie base and the chewy, flavorful apricot chunks. This interplay elevates a classic sugar cookie into something truly extraordinary. Each bite offers a delightful contrast – the smooth, rich chocolate giving way to the soft cookie, punctuated by bursts of fruity apricot. It’s an understated recipe that delivers decadent results, making it a must-try for anyone seeking an easy yet impressive dessert.
Why You’ll Adore This Amazing Cookie Recipe
If you’re still contemplating whether to bake these delectable cookies, here are even more compelling reasons why we believe you will absolutely love this easy apricot cookie recipe:
- A Fantastic Reason to Bake at Home: There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your home. These cookies are not only incredibly soft and delightfully chewy, but the inviting scent they create as they bake is truly a treat in itself. It’s an experience for all the senses!
- Minimal Ingredients for Maximum Flavor: You’ll be surprised at how few ingredients are required to create such an impressive dessert. You only need 6 essential items from start to finish. This makes for a quick trip to the grocery store and significantly reduces cleanup, allowing you more time to savor your delicious creations.
- Delicious Shortcuts Are Welcome: We fully embrace the convenience of starting with a high-quality cookie mix. This ingenious shortcut makes whipping up a batch of these unique and flavorful cookies incredibly easy, proving that homemade doesn’t always have to mean hours in the kitchen. It allows you to achieve gourmet results with minimal fuss.
- Versatile for Any Season: While often associated with summer, the sweet and tangy profile of apricots pairs wonderfully with chocolate, making these cookies a delightful treat any time of year. They’re light enough for warm weather but satisfying enough for colder days.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious, making them an ideal homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors. Their unique flavor combination is sure to impress.
Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Apricot Cookies
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these wonderful cookies. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few helpful notes:
- Sugar Cookie Mix: To keep this recipe wonderfully simple, you’ll need one pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) of your favorite sugar cookie mix. While Betty Crocker is a great choice for its consistent quality, feel free to use any brand you prefer. Using a mix saves time and ensures a perfectly balanced cookie base every time.
- Butter: Incorporate ½ cup of softened butter or margarine. Ensure your butter is at room temperature to cream properly with the cookie mix, contributing to a rich, tender, and delicious cookie texture.
- Orange Extract: For an incredible layer of aromatic flavor that beautifully complements the apricot, add ¼ teaspoon of orange extract. This small addition makes a big difference, enhancing the fruitiness and adding a subtle citrusy brightness.
- Egg: Just one large egg is needed to bind the dough and provide structure, resulting in a perfectly chewy and soft cookie.
- Dried Apricots: You’ll need 1 cup of finely chopped dried apricots. These little gems are the star of the show, delivering a delightful tangy sweetness and a chewy texture that pairs wonderfully with the cookie and chocolate. Look for plump, moist dried apricots for the best results.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: For that irresistible chocolate coating, grab one package (12 oz, approximately 2 cups) of dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate provides a sophisticated, slightly bitter counterpoint to the sweet cookie and tangy fruit, creating a balanced flavor profile. You can adjust the type of chocolate (milk or semi-sweet) to your personal preference, but dark chocolate is highly recommended for its depth of flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Apricot Cookies Dipped in Chocolate
Follow these simple steps to create your batch of delicious chocolate-dipped apricot cookies:
1. Prepare Your Workspace
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. Next, prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Set the prepared sheet aside.
2. Mix the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry sugar cookie mix, the softened butter, the orange extract, and the egg. Mix these ingredients together using a sturdy spoon or an electric mixer on low speed until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies. Once the dough is ready, gently stir in the chopped dried apricots until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The apricots should be well-blended but not crushed.
Now, take rounded teaspoonfuls of the cookie dough and drop them onto your parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies to spread without touching during baking.
3. Bake to Perfection
Carefully place the cookie sheet into your preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers may still appear slightly soft, which is perfectly normal and desired for a chewy cookie. Overbaking can lead to dry, hard cookies. Once baked, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 3 minutes. This allows them to set slightly before transferring. After 3 minutes, carefully move the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This typically takes about 15 minutes. Ensure they are fully cooled before proceeding to the chocolate dipping step.
4. Prepare the Chocolate Dip
Once your cookies are thoroughly cooled, it’s time for the delicious chocolate coating. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, place the dark chocolate chips. Heat them, uncovered, on high power in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Continue to stir until the chocolate chips are completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler method (described below) for a gentler melt.
With the chocolate melted, take each cooled cookie and dip it halfway into the liquid dark chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off for a clean finish. Place the dipped cookies onto a fresh sheet of parchment paper. Let them sit at room temperature until the chocolate is fully set, which usually takes about 1 to 2 hours. For a quicker setting process, you can carefully place them in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Once the chocolate is firm, your delicious apricot cookies are ready to be served and enjoyed!
Tips for Baking Amazing Cookies Every Time!
Achieving perfect cookies is a combination of good ingredients and smart techniques. Here are some invaluable tips to ensure your cookies not only taste fantastic but also look picture-perfect:
- Always Preheat Your Oven: This is a crucial step that many skip, but it’s essential for consistent results. Baking in a properly preheated oven ensures that your cookies cook evenly from the moment they enter, preventing uneven browning or spreading.
- Softened Butter, Not Melted: For the ideal cookie texture, your butter must be softened to room temperature, not melted. Melted butter will change the fat-to-flour ratio, leading to flatter, greasier cookies. Softened butter creams beautifully, incorporating air into the dough for a tender crumb.
- Cream Butter and Sugars Thoroughly: Even with a cookie mix, if you’re adding butter and an egg, take an extra 2-3 minutes to cream the softened butter with the mix and egg. This process aerates the mixture, contributing to a lighter and more consistent cookie texture.
- Avoid Overbaking: This is perhaps the most common cookie mistake! Cookies continue to cook for a few minutes after they are removed from the oven due to residual heat. When you pull them out, they should still look slightly underbaked in the center. The edges should be just lightly golden. Trust the process – they will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Use Quality Ingredients: While this recipe uses a mix, the quality of your butter, egg, and especially your dried apricots and chocolate chips, will make a noticeable difference in the final taste and texture of your cookies.
- Cooling is Key: Ensure your cookies cool completely on a wire rack before dipping them in chocolate. Dipping warm cookies will cause the chocolate to melt off or create a messy, uneven coating.
Easy Apricot Cookies with Dark Chocolate
Easy Apricot Cookies perfectly combine a sweet cookie base with a tangy fruit flavor. The delightful addition of rich dark chocolate takes these apricot sugar cookies to an incredible new level!
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Ingredients
- 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
- ½ cup butter or margarine (softened)
- ¼ teaspoon orange extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup dried apricots (chopped)
- 1 package (12 oz) dark chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
Instructions
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Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside. This prepares your baking surface for easy release.
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Dough Creation: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, the softened butter, orange extract, and the egg. Mix until a soft, uniform dough forms. Next, gently fold in the chopped dried apricots until they are well distributed throughout the dough.
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Using a rounded teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, ensuring each cookie is spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for proper spreading.
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Baking Process: Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. The centers may still appear slightly soft. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for about 3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for approximately 15 minutes.
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Chocolate Coating: Once the cookies are entirely cool, prepare your chocolate dip. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, heat the dark chocolate chips, uncovered, on high for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir the chocolate every 30 seconds until it is completely melted and smooth.
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Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the dipped cookies back onto parchment paper. Let them sit until the chocolate has fully set (1-2 hours at room temperature, or about 15 minutes in the refrigerator for a quicker set). Serve and enjoy your homemade dark chocolate apricot cookies!
Notes
Nutrition Information (per cookie)
Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
How to Store Apricot Chocolate Dipped Cookies
To maintain the freshness and quality of your delicious chocolate-dipped apricot cookies, proper storage is essential. Once the chocolate coating has fully set, arrange the cookies in an airtight container. For best results and to prevent the cookies from sticking together or losing their shape, place sheets of parchment paper between layers of cookies. This also helps to preserve the integrity of the chocolate dip.
How Long Do Chocolate Dipped Apricot Cookies Last?
When stored correctly in a tightly sealed, airtight container at room temperature, these cookies will remain fresh and delicious for 3 to 5 days. If you wish to extend their shelf life, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer-term storage, they can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, arrange the cooled, chocolate-set cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, again using parchment paper between layers. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
The Best Way to Soften Butter for Cookies
Having properly softened butter is a game-changer for cookie texture. My preferred method is using the defrost function on my microwave. If you need a full 1/2 cup (one stick) of butter, you can leave it in its paper wrapper. For smaller amounts or if you prefer, place the required butter in a glass or porcelain bowl. Set your microwave to its lowest defrost setting and run it for short intervals, typically 20 seconds at a time. After the first 20 seconds, check the butter’s softness by gently pressing it with a rubber scraper. It should yield easily to pressure, leaving an indentation. If it’s still too firm, continue heating in 5-10 second bursts, checking after each interval. It’s crucial to watch it very closely, as butter can go from perfectly softened to melted in seconds, which, as discussed, isn’t ideal for cookies.
Expert Tips: What is the Best Way to Melt Chocolate?
Achieving perfectly smooth, melted chocolate is key for a beautiful cookie dip. Here are two reliable methods:
- Double Boiler Method: Place a medium-sized saucepan on your stove and fill the bottom with 1-2 inches of water. Bring this water to a gentle boil. Place a medium or large-sized glass bowl on top of the saucepan. Ensure the bowl can nestle securely without its bottom touching the boiling water. Add your chocolate chips to this top bowl. The steam from the boiling water will gently and evenly melt the chocolate. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely smooth and free of lumps. Once melted, carefully remove the bowl from the heat. This method offers excellent control and prevents scorching.
- Microwave Method: This is a quicker alternative. Place your chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate in 30-second intervals on high power, stirring thoroughly after each interval. Continue this process until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. The key here is patience and frequent stirring to prevent the chocolate from burning or seizing. Even if the chocolate chips don’t look fully melted after an interval, stirring will help distribute the heat and often reveals a smoother consistency.
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Explore More Delicious Cookies with Fruit:
If you’ve enjoyed these apricot cookies and love the inclusion of fruit in your desserts, you might also like to try some of our other fruit-filled cookie recipes:
- Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Lemon Oatmeal Cookies
- Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Cookies
- Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- Best Ever Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These Easy Apricot Cookies are truly a perfect combination of a sweet cookie base infused with a delightful tangy fruit flavor. The elegant coating of rich dark chocolate on these apricot sugar cookies makes them not just a dessert, but an incredible culinary experience!
