These delightful fruitcake cookies are a festive treat perfect for any holiday gathering. Combining a variety of fruits and nuts, these cookies bring a traditional favorite into a modern, bite-sized form that everyone will love.
Photos of Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Some of the ingredients for these cookies might not be commonly found in every pantry. Items like dates, candied cherries, and mixed citrus peel may require a trip to a specialty store or the baking aisle of a well-stocked supermarket. Be sure to check for these to ensure you have everything needed for this delightful recipe.
Ingredients for Fruitcake Cookies
all purpose flour: The base for the cookie dough, providing structure and texture.
baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and become fluffy.
salt: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
shortening: Adds moisture and tenderness to the cookies.
brown sugar: Sweetens the dough and adds a rich, molasses flavor.
eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
milk: Adds moisture to the dough.
pecans: Adds a nutty flavor and crunch.
dates: Adds natural sweetness and chewy texture.
candied cherries: Provide bursts of color and sweetness.
mixed citrus peel: Adds a zesty, fruity flavor.
candied cherries: Used for decoration, adding a festive touch.
One reader, Keelia Pieper says:
These fruitcake cookies are a delightful treat! The combination of dates, pecans, and candied cherries creates a perfect balance of flavors. The cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with festive goodness. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy snack with a cup of tea. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Fruitcake Cookies
Yes.
How to sift flour: Use a fine mesh sieve or a flour sifter to aerate the flour and remove any lumps. How to cream shortening: Beat the shortening with a mixer until it is smooth and creamy. How to beat until light and fluffy: Continue mixing the shortening, sugar, and eggs until the mixture becomes pale and airy. How to chill dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator for several hours to firm up before baking. How to drop dough by teaspoons: Use a teaspoon to scoop out portions of dough and place them on the baking sheet.
How To Make Fruitcake Cookies
Whip up a fresh batch of fruitcake cookies, made with tart cherries, dates, nuts, and citrus peels, for a nutty and fruity treat!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 4cupsall purpose flour
- 1tspbaking soda
- 1tspsalt
- 1cupshortening
- 2cupsbrown sugar,packed
- 2eggs
- ⅔cupmilk
- 1cuppecans,chopped
- 2cupsdates,pitted and chopped
- 1cupcandied cherries,quartered, plus ½ cup red and green candied, halved
- 1cupmixed citrus peel,candied
- ½cupcandied cherries,red and green, halved
Instructions
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Sift the flour, measure, and sift it again with the baking soda and salt.
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Cream the shortening, then add the sugar and eggs. Beat until light and fluffy.
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Add the milk and flour mixture, mixing well. Stir in the nuts, dates, cherries and candied peel.
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Cover and chill the dough for several hours.
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Drop the chilled dough by teaspoons, 2-inches apart, onto lightly greased baking sheets. Top each cookie with half of a candied cherry.
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Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes.
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Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 162.60kcal
- Fat: 6.16g
- Saturated Fat: 1.33g
- Trans Fat: 0.56g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.70g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.73g
- Carbohydrates: 26.48g
- Fiber: 1.24g
- Sugar: 16.93g
- Protein: 1.84g
- Cholesterol: 7.00mg
- Sodium: 84.57mg
- Calcium: 22.02mg
- Potassium: 111.88mg
- Iron: 0.72mg
- Vitamin A: 5.47µg
- Vitamin C: 0.64mg
Helpful Technique for Perfecting Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
To ensure your fruitcake cookies have a uniform texture, make sure to finely chop the dates, candied cherries, and mixed citrus peel. This will help distribute the flavors evenly throughout the dough and prevent large chunks from disrupting the cookie's structure.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients ahead of time to streamline the baking process.
Use a stand mixer: A stand mixer can save time when creaming the shortening, sugar, and eggs.
Chill dough overnight: Prepare the dough the night before and let it chill overnight to save time on the day of baking.
Preheat oven early: Preheat your oven while you are preparing the dough to ensure it’s ready when you are.
Use parchment paper: Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and faster cookie removal.
Substitute Ingredients For Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
all purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds a nuttier flavor and more fiber, though it may make the cookies denser.
baking soda - Substitute with baking powder: Use three times the amount of baking powder to replace baking soda, as it includes an acid to help with leavening.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral content and flavor.
shortening - Substitute with butter: Butter adds a richer flavor and can be used in the same quantity, though it may make the cookies spread more.
brown sugar - Substitute with white sugar and molasses: Mix 1 cup of white sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses to replicate the moisture and flavor of brown sugar.
eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg for a vegan alternative that adds fiber.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk can be used in the same quantity for a dairy-free option, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
pecans - Substitute with walnuts: Walnuts provide a similar texture and flavor, making them a good alternative to pecans.
dates - Substitute with raisins: Raisins offer a similar sweetness and chewy texture, though they are smaller in size.
candied cherries - Substitute with dried cranberries: Dried cranberries provide a tart flavor and chewy texture, making them a suitable replacement.
mixed citrus peel - Substitute with lemon zest and orange zest: Fresh zest from lemons and oranges can replicate the citrus flavor without the added sugar.
candied cherries - Substitute with dried apricots: Dried apricots offer a different but complementary sweetness and chewy texture.
Presentation Tips for Serving Fruitcake Cookies
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the fruitcake cookies in bite-sized portions to ensure a refined and elegant presentation. This allows the intricate flavors of the candied cherries, dates, and mixed citrus peel to be savored in each bite.
Use decoration: Garnish each cookie with a delicate half of a candied cherry on top, as specified in the recipe. This adds a pop of color and a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
Plate with precision: Arrange the cookies on a pristine white plate in a neat, symmetrical pattern. This creates a visually appealing contrast and highlights the vibrant colors of the candied fruits.
Add a touch of elegance: Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the cookies just before serving. This adds a subtle sweetness and an elegant finish to the presentation.
Incorporate texture: Serve the fruitcake cookies with a side of finely chopped pecans and candied peel for added texture and visual interest. This enhances the overall sensory experience for the diners.
Highlight ingredients: Place a small bowl of candied cherries and dates on the side of the plate to showcase the premium ingredients used in the recipe. This emphasizes the quality and thoughtfulness behind the dish.
Create a theme: Use a festive or seasonal theme for the presentation. For example, during the holiday season, incorporate small decorative elements like holly leaves or a dusting of edible gold glitter to enhance the festive feel of the fruitcake cookies.
Serve with a complementary beverage: Pair the fruitcake cookies with a small glass of spiced mulled wine or hot cocoa. This adds an extra layer of indulgence and complements the rich flavors of the cookies.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Sifter: used to sift the flour, ensuring it is light and free of lumps.
Measuring cups: essential for accurately measuring the flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
Mixing bowls: used to combine and mix the ingredients together.
Electric mixer: helps to cream the shortening, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy.
Spatula: useful for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl and ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
Measuring spoons: necessary for measuring smaller quantities of ingredients like baking soda and salt.
Chopping board: used to chop the pecans, dates, and mixed citrus peel.
Knife: for chopping the nuts, dates, and mixed citrus peel.
Plastic wrap: used to cover the dough while it chills in the refrigerator.
Teaspoon: for dropping the chilled dough onto the baking sheets.
Baking sheets: where the cookies are placed for baking.
Parchment paper: optional, but can be used to line the baking sheets for easier cleanup.
Oven: preheated to 350 degrees f for baking the cookies.
Cooling rack: where the cookies can cool after baking.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Fruitcake Cookies
- Allow the fruitcake cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them.
- Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- To keep the cookies soft and moist, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. The bread will absorb any excess moisture and keep the cookies fresh.
- For longer storage, freeze the fruitcake cookies:
- Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating layers with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To thaw frozen fruitcake cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them come to room temperature on a wire rack. This will take about 1-2 hours.
- If desired, you can refresh the thawed cookies by placing them in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes before serving.
How To Reheat Leftover Fruitcake Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the fruitcake cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through and slightly crisp around the edges. This method will restore some of the original texture and flavor of the cookies.
For a quicker option, you can use a microwave. Place the cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in 15-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the cookies to become tough or rubbery.
If you prefer a softer, more moist texture, wrap the cookies in a damp paper towel before microwaving them. This will help to rehydrate the dried fruits and nuts in the cookies, giving them a fresher taste and texture.
For a crispy exterior and a soft interior, you can use a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the cookies on the wire rack. Toast for 3-5 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
If you have a few days before you plan to serve the leftover cookies, you can store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will help to absorb any excess moisture and keep the cookies fresh and flavorful. When you're ready to serve, simply remove the bread and reheat the cookies using one of the methods mentioned above.
Interesting Trivia About Fruitcake Cookies
A random fact about this recipe is that fruitcake cookies combine the traditional flavors of fruitcake with the convenience of cookies, making them a popular choice for holiday gatherings.
Is Making Fruitcake Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?
This fruitcake cookies recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The use of all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and shortening are budget-friendly, but the inclusion of pecans, dates, and candied cherries can increase the cost. Overall, the recipe scores a 7 out of 10 in cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$20 USD.
Are Fruitcake Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
The fruitcake cookies recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The recipe calls for a significant amount of all-purpose flour, which is refined and lacks the nutrients found in whole grain flours.
- Shortening is used as the primary fat, which is high in saturated and trans fats, known to contribute to heart disease and other health issues.
- The recipe contains a substantial amount of brown sugar, adding to the overall sugar content and potentially leading to blood sugar spikes and dental problems.
- Candied cherries and mixed citrus peel are high in sugar and offer little nutritional value.
However, the recipe does include some redeeming ingredients, such as pecans and dates, which provide healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour for added fiber and nutrients
- Substitute the shortening with coconut oil or grass-fed butter, which contain healthier fats
- Reduce the amount of brown sugar by 25-50% and experiment with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup
- Opt for unsweetened dried cherries instead of candied cherries to lower the sugar content
- Increase the proportion of pecans and dates to boost the nutritional value of the cookies
- Add a handful of rolled oats for extra fiber and texture
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious version of these fruitcake cookies while still maintaining their delightful taste and texture.
Editor's Opinion on the Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
This fruitcake cookie recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional holiday treat. The combination of pecans, dates, and candied fruits creates a rich, flavorful profile that is both nostalgic and satisfying. The use of shortening ensures a tender, crumbly texture, while the brown sugar adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness. Chilling the dough is a crucial step for achieving the perfect consistency. Topping each cookie with a candied cherry adds a festive touch. Overall, this recipe is well-balanced and sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
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Suggested Starters and Main Dishes to Accompany Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Why trust this Fruitcake Cookies Recipe:
This fruitcake cookies recipe is a delightful blend of traditional holiday flavors and modern convenience. With pecans, dates, and candied cherries, each bite offers a burst of sweetness and texture. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, ensuring a perfect batch every time. Plus, the dough can be prepared in advance, making it ideal for busy schedules. Trust this recipe for its balance of classic ingredients and straightforward preparation.
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