Fruitcake Cookies are a delightful twist on the traditional holiday fruitcake, offering all the rich, festive flavors in a convenient cookie form. These cookies are packed with colorful candied fruits, crunchy nuts, and a hint of warm spices, making them a perfect treat for the holiday season. They’re easy to make, and their bite-sized nature makes them ideal for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea. The flavors in these cookies improve over time, making them a great option to prepare ahead of the holidays.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 1/2 cups mixed candied fruits (cherries, pineapple, etc.)
- 1/2 cup raisins or currants
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
- 2 tablespoons dark rum or orange juice (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add the Fruits and Nuts: Stir in the candied fruits, raisins or currants, chopped nuts, and rum or orange juice (if using). Mix until the fruits and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can also roll the dough into balls if you prefer a more uniform shape.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still appear slightly soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these festive Fruitcake Cookies as a delicious and portable version of traditional holiday fruitcake, perfect for sharing with friends and family!
