Looking to add a touch of nostalgia to your holiday baking? Fruitcake cookies are the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of a classic fruitcake in a convenient, bite-size treat. These cookies are packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices that evoke the cozy feeling of the holiday season. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or given as a thoughtful homemade gift, these fruitcake cookies are sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Title: Fruitcake Cookies
Ingredients:
– 1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, and apricots), chopped
– ½ cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
– 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
– ½ teaspoon ground allspice
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ½ cup brown sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– ½ teaspoon baking powder
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped dried fruits, nuts, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Toss the mixture to ensure the fruits and nuts are evenly coated with the spices.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well to combine.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. The dough might be slightly sticky, but that’s normal.
7. Fold the fruit and nut mixture into the dough until well distributed.
8. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
9. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a fork or your fingers to shape them into cookies.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
11. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Once cooled, dust the fruitcake cookies with powdered sugar for a festive, snowy finish.
13. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.
These fruitcake cookies capture the essence of traditional fruitcake in a delightful, portable form. They make a lovely addition to any holiday cookie spread or a thoughtful gift for loved ones. The combination of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will have everyone reaching for seconds. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat the oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these delicious fruitcake cookies to make your season a little sweeter. Enjoy!
