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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare a mixing bowl and combine finely diced candied cherries, crushed pineapple, chopped raisins or dates, and roughly chopped pecans.
- Dust the fruit and nut mixture with of flour, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. Set this fruity blend aside.
- Using an electric mixer, cream room-temperature butter and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- 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.
- 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.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a tablespoon, drop rounded portions of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges and a set center that indicates the cookies are fully cooked.
- Remove from the oven and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to firm up slightly.
- 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