Description
Sweet holiday memories come alive with old-fashioned fruitcake cookies, a nostalgic treat blending traditional flavors and festive cheer. Packed with candied fruits and rich spices, these cookies offer a delightful bite that connects you to cherished family traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1 cup (120 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup (150 grams) chopped candied red cherries
- 1 cup (150 grams) chopped candied green cherries
- 1 cup (150 grams) chopped candied pineapple
- ½ cup (75 grams) golden raisins
- ½ cup (75 grams) chopped dates
Instructions
- Enhance the candied fruit and raisins by optionally infusing them with rum for a half hour, allowing flavors to intensify and meld harmoniously.
- Create a light, airy base by vigorously whipping softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture transforms into a fluffy, pale consistency.
- Introduce richness by incorporating egg and vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to ensure complete integration and depth of flavor.
- Prepare the dry ingredient medley by whisking flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate vessel, ensuring even distribution of spices.
- Gradually merge the dry ingredient mixture into the butter blend, stirring with gentle, deliberate motions to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Delicately integrate chopped candied fruit, raisins, and nuts into the dough, ensuring an even, balanced distribution throughout the mixture.
- Portion the dough using rounded tablespoons onto a lined baking sheet, maintaining sufficient spacing between each cookie.
- Bake in a preheated 350F (175C) oven, watching for a delicate golden edge and set center, typically requiring 10-12 minutes of careful cooking.
- Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Preserve the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for optimal freshness, with the option to freeze for extended storage.
Notes
- Soak dried fruits in rum or orange juice to intensify flavor complexity and add moisture to the cookies.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth creaming, which creates a lighter, more tender cookie texture.
- Use freshly ground spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a more vibrant and aromatic taste profile.
- Replace nuts with seeds or skip them entirely for nut-free versions, maintaining the cookie’s delightful texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 193
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg