Fruitcake Cookies

Fruitcake Cookies are a delightful twist on the traditional holiday fruitcake. Packed with sweet dates, colorful candied fruit, and crunchy walnuts, these cookies bring all the flavors of a classic fruitcake but in a more convenient and bite-sized form. The combination of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with a rich brown sugar base, makes these cookies incredibly flavorful and perfect for the holiday season. They are soft, chewy, and filled with the essence of festive flavors that will make them a favorite at any holiday gathering.

These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or as a treat to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, they’re easy to prepare and offer a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of fruitcake in a more approachable form. Whether you’re a fan of traditional fruitcake or not, these cookies are sure to win you over with their sweetness and spice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fruitcake Cookies are an excellent way to enjoy all the rich flavors of a traditional fruitcake without the heaviness or long baking times. The blend of dates, mixed candied fruit, and walnuts gives these cookies a wonderful texture and a burst of flavor in every bite. The warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make them perfect for the winter months, evoking the comforting essence of holiday baking. These cookies are soft, chewy, and absolutely packed with festive flavor, making them a perfect addition to your holiday cookie platter. They’re easy to make, and their sweet, spiced flavor is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• Dates
• Mixed candied fruit
• Walnuts
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Variations

Fruitcake Cookies are quite versatile, and there are several ways you can modify the recipe to suit your taste:

• Nuts: If you prefer a different nut, feel free to use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts.
• Dried Fruit: You can swap out the mixed candied fruit for other dried fruits like raisins, currants, or dried apricots for a different flavor profile.
• Spices: If you want a more complex spice flavor, you can add ground ginger, allspice, or cloves to complement the cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Citrus Zest: Add some orange or lemon zest to the dough for a fresh citrusy kick.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit and Nuts

In a large bowl, combine the chopped dates, mixed candied fruit, and walnuts. Set them aside while you prepare the cookie dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until light and fluffy. This will create a smooth, rich base for your cookie dough.

Step 3: Add the Eggs

Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring that each egg is fully incorporated into the mixture before adding the next one.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until everything is well combined.

Step 5: Add the Fruit and Nut Mixture

Stir in the prepared fruit and nut mixture until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Using a rounded teaspoon, drop the cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are lightly browned around the edges. Be sure to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cookie; it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool the Cookies

Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on wire racks before serving.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Chop the Fruit Finely: Make sure the dates and candied fruit are chopped into small pieces so they mix well into the dough and ensure even distribution throughout the cookies.
• Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter is key to achieving a smooth and creamy dough. If your butter is too cold, it may not cream properly with the sugar.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated to avoid tough cookies.
• Check for Doneness Early: Since oven temperatures can vary, start checking the cookies at 15 minutes to prevent them from overbaking.
• Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft and sticky to handle, chill it for 30 minutes to make it easier to shape.

How to Serve

Fruitcake Cookies can be served warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with a hot beverage like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate for an added treat. These cookies also make an excellent addition to holiday cookie platters or gift baskets, especially during the festive season.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Fruitcake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To keep them fresh, layer the cookies with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Freezing

Fruitcake Cookies freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.

Reheating

Reheat individual cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to bring back their soft, chewy texture.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of nut?

Yes! Pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts would be great substitutes for walnuts in these cookies.

2. Can I use dried fruit instead of candied fruit?

Yes, you can use dried fruit like raisins, currants, or dried cherries as a substitute for candied fruit.

3. How do I store leftover cookies?

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze them for longer storage.

4. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. You can also freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months.

5. Can I add more spices?

Yes, you can adjust the spices according to your preference. A pinch of ground ginger or cloves would complement the cinnamon and nutmeg nicely.

6. Are these cookies gluten-free?

To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

7. How can I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking if you’re concerned about spreading. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

8. How can I make the cookies chewier?

For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them and allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

9. Can I use salted butter in this recipe?

It’s best to use unsalted butter for better control over the salt content in your cookies. If you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe.

10. Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can easily double the recipe to make a larger batch of cookies. Just be sure to adjust the baking time slightly if you bake more cookies at once.

Conclusion

Fruitcake Cookies offer all the festive flavors of a traditional fruitcake but in a convenient, bite-sized form. Packed with dates, mixed fruit, walnuts, and a blend of warm spices, these cookies are soft, chewy, and incredibly flavorful. They are perfect for the holiday season and beyond, whether you’re sharing them with family or gifting them to friends. Easy to make and full of flavor, Fruitcake Cookies are a delightful treat that everyone will love.

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