Holiday Fruitcake Cookies Recipe are a fun, easy, and delicious twist on the traditional fruitcake. This recipe is perfect for your holiday dessert menu and the best Christmas cookies!
Embrace the warmth of the holiday season with these scrumptious Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies, a delightful twist on a holiday classic. They’re perfect for sharing or gifting, and you’ll love how they brighten up any gathering!
Admittedly, fruitcake isn’t always at the top of everyone’s holiday baking list. And honestly, I think the stuff gets a bad rap. Is there bad fruitcake out there? You bet there is. But, there’s some great fruitcake out there, too.
Despite all of the fruitcake hate, a recipe for fruitcake cookies is something that I get requests for pretty frequently. In fact, I get about 10 or 12 requests per week during the holiday season for these treats.
So, when I set out to create a recipe for fruitcake cookies, I knew I didn’t want to put a recipe out there that I wasn’t 100% behind. I’ve tried a handful of different recipes but was just never bowled over by any of them. That is until I made one simple change…
Nearly every festive Fruitcake Cookies I found used shortening. And for good reason. Shortening has a higher melting point which means cookies spread less and bake up taller because it gives the eggs more time to set before it melts. But, the problem with shortening is that it doesn’t add any flavor. So I swapped the shortening for butter. And while the cookies might spread a little more and be a little chewier, those are things I am willing to risk to add flavor.
Introduction
Embrace the warmth of the holiday season with these scrumptious Holiday Fruitcake Cookies, a delightful twist on the traditional fruitcake. This Holiday Fruitcake Cookies Recipe offers a fun, easy, and delicious way to enjoy a holiday classic.. Don’t miss out on the chance to treat your senses—subscribe to receive this delightful recipe by email!
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Fruitcake Cookies Recipe?
These cookies bring the essence of a traditional fruitcake into a bite-sized treat without the fuss of baking a whole cake. They’re easy to prepare, loaded with festive flavors, and family-friendly. The blend of spices, sweet fruits, and nuts creates a medley of textures and tastes, making each bite a holiday celebration.
How to find the right candied fruit:
One big issue I have found with making delicious fruitcake cookies is the actual fruit. A lot of the candied fruit in the grocery store is just not great. It’s been sitting on the shelf for a while and just doesn’t taste good. Finding the right candied fruit is super important.
You want to make sure you are buying candied fruit, not dried fruit. Moreover this is what you need to look for…
Some common brands you might find are Sunripe and Paradise. On several occasions, it’s been recommended that I buy the fruit from ( for example ) Nuts.com. They call it glazed fruit and apparently, it tastes much better. (If you’ve found some great candied fruit, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!)
Starting with better fruit is going to yield better cookies. However, I’ve added in more flavor via vanilla, almond, and lemon extracts to give these cookies a punch of flavor and sweetness that will make up for even the worst grocery store candied fruit.
For these delicious Holiday Fruitcake Cookies, you’ll need!
Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Holiday Fruitcake Cookies
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 2 tablespoons dark rum or orange juice
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
– 1/2 cup dried cherries
– 1/2 cup dried cranberries
– 1/2 cup candied orange peel
– 1/2 cup raisins
– 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
Necessary Tools
– Large mixing bowl
– Electric mixer
– Whisk
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Baking sheets
– Parchment paper
– Wire cooling rack
Ingredient Swaps and Additions
Feel free to swap or add ingredients to suit your taste! Substitute rum with almond extract or apple juice for different flavor notes. Incorporate shredded coconut for a tropical twist, or add chocolate chips for a bit of indulgence.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Beat the eggs in one at a time, then mix in the rum or orange juice and vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients.
6. Fold in the nuts, dried fruits, and candied peel evenly.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared sheets, about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden around the edges.
9. Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these cookies with a warm cup of tea, coffee, or mulled wine. They also pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream or gingerbread lattes.
Pro Tips for Success
Ensure your butter is softened to achieve the perfect creamy base. Don’t over-bake the cookies to preserve their chewy texture. For even flavor distribution, chop dried fruits and nuts into similar-sized pieces.
Storing and Reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them and thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQ Section
Can I make this Holiday Fruitcake Cookies Recipe without nuts?
Absolutely! Simply omit the nuts or replace them with additional dried fruits.
What is a substitute for candied orange peel?
Try using chopped dried pineapple or mango for a sweet, fruity alternative.
See also The best classic chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Conclusion
These Holiday Fruitcake Cookies are a delightful way to enjoy the holidays. Easy to make and bursting with inviting flavors, they’re sure to become a new favorite. Share your creations by tagging them on social media!
Nutritional Information
Approximate values per cookie: 120 calories, 6g fat, 15g carbohydrates, 1g protein