Fruitcake cookies bring back fond memories of holiday gatherings with their rich, festive flavors. This recipe, with its blend of spices, candied fruits, and nuts, is a twist on the traditional holiday fruitcake, transforming it into a convenient, bite-sized treat perfect for sharing. These old-fashioned fruitcake cookies are easy to make, store well, and are a delightful addition to any holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (your choice)
- 1 cup chopped candied cherries
- 1 cup chopped candied pineapple
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is well-combined.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is just combined; avoid over-mixing.
Step 3: Fold in the Fruit and Nuts
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans (or walnuts), candied cherries, candied pineapple, golden raisins, and chopped dates.
- Stir the dough until the fruit and nuts are evenly dispersed throughout. The dough will be thick and chunky due to the generous amounts of fruit and nuts.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
- Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Be sure to space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft and slightly underbaked.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, serve and enjoy the delightful blend of holiday flavors!
Cooking Notes
- Fruit Choices: Feel free to substitute or add your favorite dried fruits. Dried cranberries or apricots are great alternatives for a slightly tart flavor.
- Nut Substitutions: If you prefer a nut-free version, simply leave out the nuts or replace them with more dried fruit.
- Spice Adjustments: Adjust the spices to your taste. Some people enjoy a hint of ginger or allspice for an extra holiday flavor.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to three months.
Serving Suggestions
- These fruitcake cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of milk.
- For a festive holiday presentation, arrange them on a decorative platter and sprinkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
- Package them in a holiday-themed box or tin and gift them to family and friends for a personal and delicious Christmas gift.
Tips
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before baking.
- Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all cookies are the same size, helping them bake evenly.
- Prevent Sticking: If the dough is sticky, lightly flour your hands or the spoon when shaping the cookies.
- Check for Doneness: The cookies will continue to bake slightly after being removed from the oven. Remove them when they are lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Nutritional Information (per cookie)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 75 mg
Conclusion
These old-fashioned fruitcake cookies are a wonderful way to enjoy the traditional flavors of fruitcake without the dense texture. They offer a chewy, crunchy, and sweet combination that perfectly embodies the spirit of the holidays. Make a batch to share with loved ones, and watch these colorful treats disappear from the cookie jar!
Print
Old-Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies: A Timeless Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 27 minutes
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (your choice)
- 1 cup chopped candied cherries
- 1 cup chopped candied pineapple
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is well-combined.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is just combined; avoid over-mixing.
Step 3: Fold in the Fruit and Nuts
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans (or walnuts), candied cherries, candied pineapple, golden raisins, and chopped dates.
- Stir the dough until the fruit and nuts are evenly dispersed throughout. The dough will be thick and chunky due to the generous amounts of fruit and nuts.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
- Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Be sure to space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft and slightly underbaked.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, serve and enjoy the delightful blend of holiday flavors!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Protein: 2g