Perfect Holiday Fruitcake Delight Cookies Recipe: Jolly Baking Fun

Sweet fruitcake cookies bring nostalgic memories of festive gatherings and warm kitchen moments.

These delectable treats blend traditional holiday flavors with modern baking techniques.

Generations have cherished the rich, complex taste of these delightful morsels.

Packed with vibrant dried fruits and warm spices, each bite tells a delicious story.

Soft, chewy textures complement the intense fruity notes that dance across your palate.

Bakers appreciate how simple ingredients revamp into something extraordinary with careful preparation.

The magic happens when carefully selected components meld together in perfect harmony.

Why Fruitcake Cookies Work

• Bursting with Festive Flavors: These cookies capture the essence of traditional fruitcake, packed with candied cherries, pineapple, raisins, and pecans, creating a delightful explosion of sweet and nutty tastes in every bite.
• Super Simple Baking Adventure: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires basic mixing techniques and minimal prep time, making it an approachable and stress-free cookie-making experience that delivers impressive results.
• Quick and Delicious Holiday Treat: Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, these cookies are ideal for last-minute gatherings, cookie exchanges, or spontaneous baking moments during the festive season.
• Texture Lover's Dream: Combining soft, chewy cookie bases with crunchy pecans and sticky candied fruits, these cookies offer a multi-dimensional texture that keeps your taste buds excited with every mouthful.

What Goes in Fruitcake Cookies

• Candied Cherries: Sweet, colorful fruit that adds a festive touch and chewy texture to the cookies.
• Pineapple: Tropical fruit providing moisture and a hint of tangy sweetness.
• Raisins or Dates: Soft, sweet dried fruits that enhance the fruitcake-like flavor.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that give a rich, nutty flavor and delightful texture.

• Butter: Softened, unsalted butter creates a rich and tender cookie base.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookies.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that enhances overall sweetness.
• Almond Extract: Adds a delicate, nutty flavor reminiscent of traditional fruitcake.

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for creating the cookie structure.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and achieve a light, soft texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

How to Bake Fruitcake Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Fruit Mixture

• Chopped candied cherries
• Pineapple
• Raisins or dates
• Pecans

Sprinkle flour over the mixture and toss until fruit and nuts are evenly coated. Set aside.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• 1 egg
• Buttermilk
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Beat on medium speed until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Gently fold the prepared fruit mixture into the creamy base. Add remaining flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4: Shape and Bake Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto cookie sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges and centers look completely set.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks and allow to cool completely before serving.

Fruitcake Cookie Tips

• Prep Fruit Strategically: Toss chopped fruits and nuts in flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cookie dough, ensuring even distribution throughout each bite.
• Cream Butter Perfectly: Whip butter and sugar until light and fluffy, which creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture with excellent structure.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Use room temperature ingredients to help blend smoothly and maintain the right cookie consistency without becoming too wet or dry.
• Space Cookies Wisely: Leave enough room between cookie drops on the baking sheet to allow proper spreading and prevent cookies from merging together.
• Cool Completely: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack, which helps them set and prevents breaking during movement.

Save Leftover Fruitcake Cookies

• Refrigeration: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, layering between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delightful flavor.
• Freezing: Carefully place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving their fruity goodness and nutty crunch. Thaw at room temperature for optimal taste and texture.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. Enjoy them slightly warm, bringing back their fresh-baked softness and aromatic sweetness.

Best Matches for Fruitcake Cookies

• Brew a Rich Beverage Companion: Pair these fruitcake cookies with a warm cup of chai tea or spiced coffee to complement the nutty and fruity flavors, creating a cozy and delightful taste experience.
• Elevate with Sweet Sips: Serve alongside a sweet dessert wine like a port or moscato, which will enhance the cookies' rich dried fruit and nutty undertones with its complementary sweetness.
• Create a Creamy Contrast: Enjoy these cookies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the dense, chewy texture and add a cool, smooth counterpoint to the warm baked treat.
• Match with Nutty Nibbles: Accompany the cookies with a small plate of roasted almonds or mixed nuts to highlight the pecan elements and provide a satisfying crunch that echoes the cookie's texture.

Fun Twists on Fruitcake Cookies

• Tropical Paradise Cookies: Replace pecans with macadamia nuts and add shredded coconut for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
• Spiced Winter Batch: Mix in ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to enhance the traditional fruitcake warmth and complexity.
• Chocolate Fusion Cookies: Fold in mini dark chocolate chips and drizzle melted chocolate over cooled cookies for a rich, decadent touch.
• Boozy Fruitcake Version: Soak dried fruits in rum or brandy before mixing into the dough for an adult-friendly cookie with deep, complex flavors.

Fruitcake Delight Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Fruitcake Delight Cookies blend nostalgic holiday flavors with classic cookie charm. Packed with candied fruits, nuts, and warm spices, these treats offer a delightful twist on traditional fruitcake that you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Fruits and Nuts:

• 1 cup candied cherries, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup candied pineapple, coarsely chopped
• ¾ cup raisins or chopped dates
• ¾ cup chopped pecans

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare a mixing bowl and combine finely diced candied cherries, crushed pineapple, chopped raisins or dates, and roughly chopped pecans.
2. Dust the fruit and nut mixture with of flour, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. Set this fruity blend aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream room-temperature butter and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
4. Incorporate egg, buttermilk, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until the batter reaches a smooth, uniform consistency.
5. Gently fold the prepared fruit and nut mixture into the batter, adding the remaining flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix carefully to distribute ingredients evenly without overmixing.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Using a tablespoon, drop rounded portions of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges and a set center that indicates the cookies are fully cooked.
9. Remove from the oven and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to firm up slightly.
10. Transfer cookies to wire cooling racks and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

• Prep these festive cookies ahead of time by mixing fruit and nuts first, ensuring they’re evenly coated with flour for better distribution.
• Creaming butter and sugar thoroughly creates a light, fluffy base that guarantees tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
• Gentle folding prevents overmixing, which helps maintain the delicate texture and keeps cookies soft and delectable.
• Space cookies properly on the baking sheet to allow even heat circulation and prevent them from merging into each other.
• Cool cookies on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to prevent breaking, allowing them to set and firm up slightly.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer preservation of these fruity, nutty treats.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 153 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 74 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg