These chewy, jewel-toned sweets capture both romance and nourishment in every bite. Soft dried apricots form the base, lending natural sweetness and a velvety texture. Rosehips—whether steeped as tea or finely chopped fresh—add a delicate floral tang, while dried goji berries or cranberries bring bursts of tartness. A splash of lemon juice ties the flavours together, creating a treat that is both refreshing and satisfying.

✨ The Experience

• Texture: Delightfully chewy, with little pops of fruit.
• Flavour: A balance of sweet apricot, tangy rosehip, and citrus brightness.
• Versatility: Perfect as a wholesome snack, a lunchbox addition, or a festive sweet platter.

💪 Health Benefits

• Vitamin C boost: Rosehips are famously rich in vitamin C, supporting immune health and skin vitality.
• Antioxidant protection: Goji berries and cranberries provide antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and promote healthy aging.
• Digestive support: Apricots are high in fibre, aiding digestion and supporting gut health.
• Energy balance: Natural fruit sugars paired with fibre offer sustained energy without refined sweeteners.
• Bone and heart health: Apricots and rosehips contain potassium and calcium, which support cardiovascular function and bone strength.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: Rosehips and berries are known for compounds that help reduce inflammation and support joint health.

🌱 Why They’re Special

Unlike conventional sweets, these are free from refined sugar, dairy, and preservatives. They keep well, making them a practical yet indulgent snack that nourishes body and soul. With their chewy texture and lingering flavour, they’re a wholesome way to enjoy a touch of romance and vitality any time of year.

Apricot and Rosehip Sweets

Innes Hope

Chewy, tangy, and naturally sweet, these little bites blend soft dried apricots, rosehip tea, and goji berries or cranberries with a splash of lemon. Romantic in flavour yet practical to make year-round, they’re nutrient-rich, keep well, and offer a wholesome treat that lingers deliciously on the palate.

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Course cakes

Ingredients

  

• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp rosehip tea or fresh, finely chopped rosehip flesh
• ½ cup dried goji berries or cranberries
• 1 cup soft dried apricots

Rose Dust

• 4 tbsp ground almond
• 2 Approx. 1 tsp beetroot powder (see Tips)

Instructions

 

• Chop the goji or cranberries finely or at least in half. Mix the rosehip granules & berries into the lemon juice. Press it all down until as much of it as possible is in the juice. Set aside an hour or two until the lemon juice is absorbed.
• Chop the apricots finely.
• If you’ve no pre-made Rose Dust, now is an ideal time to make some.
• Mix the apricots into the rosehip & berry mix – it should bind well. Add a small amount of Rose Dust if it helps it hold together.
• Spread some Rose Dust onto a small plate. Using the heel of your hand, press some mixture firmly down into a tablespoon-sized measuring spoon until it is level and densely compacted. (You’re going to make a flat-bottomed ‘mound’ shape, not a ball). Prise the compacted mix gently out of the spoon into the Rose Dust. You can either coat the whole mound in a little Rose Dust or leave it as is.
• Place each sweet in a mini cupcake wrapper as you go, and/or on a bed of fresh rose petals. Ooo la la!

Notes

Tips

1. Loose rosehip tea is simpler to use. It is available in some organic stores or Asian food shops.
2. No beetroot powder? Grate a small piece of raw beetroot on the finest setting to make x1 tsp of juicy mush. Add a little sweetener to taste, then mix into the ground almond until it’s a pale, warm pink colour. Beetroot Latte powder can suffice, though the cinnamon in it mutes the pink hue somewhat.
3. If you’ve gathered fresh rosehips, chop them very finely, making sure to first remove the prickly hairs inside.
4. If the berries or apricots are on the drier side, add a bit of lemon juice; they need to swell and be moist enough to bind. Experiment until the mixture holds together. The mini cupcake wrappers will come to the rescue if the result is a little crumbly, so there’s no need to fret! Silicone wrappers are helpful – they can be washed and re-used time and time again.

Keyword plant-based, rosehip, sweets, vegan, wfpb

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