Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking for a delightful treat to brighten your holiday season, then you’ve come to the right place! This Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Each bite is filled with the festive flavors of candied fruits and nuts, making them perfect for any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family get-together or just want to enjoy a sweet moment at home, these cookies will bring that warm holiday spirit right to your kitchen.
What makes this recipe so special is not just its delicious taste, but also how easy it is to whip up. In just 35 minutes, you can have a batch of these cookies ready to share—or keep all to yourself (no judgment here!). They are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can mix, bake, and enjoy these cookies in under an hour!
- Family-Friendly: Kids love the colorful fruits and nuts, making them a hit with everyone.
- Make-Ahead: Bake a big batch ahead of time and store them for impromptu guests or cozy evenings at home.
- Delicious Flavor: The combination of candied pineapple, cherries, and pecans creates a delightful taste that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather some simple, wholesome ingredients! These are pantry staples that come together beautifully in this cookie recipe. Trust me; you probably have most of these on hand already!
For the Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1/2 teaspoon almond essence
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon essence
- 1 1/2 cups plain flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
For the Add-Ins
- 1 cup chopped candied pineapple
- 1 cup chopped candied red cherries
- 1 cup chopped candied green cherries
- 1 cup roughly chopped pecans
Variations
This recipe is wonderfully flexible! Feel free to mix things up based on what you have available or your personal preferences.
- Add Different Nuts: Substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different crunch.
- Dried Fruits Option: Use dried cranberries or raisins instead of candied fruits for a healthier twist.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth in flavor.
- Chocolate Chip Treats: Toss in some dairy-free chocolate chips for a sweet surprise!
How to Make Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by creaming the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in light and fluffy cookies. Use an electric mixer on medium speed until it’s pale and creamy—about 3-5 minutes should do the trick!
Step 2: Add Egg and Essences
Next, add in the large egg along with your vanilla, almond, and lemon essences. Beat until everything is well combined. The essences will infuse your dough with lovely flavors that make these cookies truly festive.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the plain flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture into your wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. This helps prevent flour from flying everywhere! Mix until just combined—overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Step 4: Fold in Candied Fruits and Nuts
Now comes the fun part! Gently fold in the chopped candied pineapple, red cherries, green cherries, and pecans using a spatula. This gives each cookie its delightful character with bursts of flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Bake Your Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while you prepare your baking trays lined with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough onto the trays about two inches apart. Bake for about 20 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Keep an eye on them—they can go from perfect to too brown quickly!
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy!
Once baked, remove your cookies from the oven and let them cool on the trays for about five minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This step ensures they firm up nicely! After they’ve cooled completely (if you can wait!), enjoy those delicious bites of holiday cheer!
I hope you love this Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe as much as I do! Happy baking!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Baking can be a delightful experience, especially during the festive season! Here are some tips to ensure your Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies turn out perfectly every time:
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Use room temperature ingredients: Allowing your butter and egg to reach room temperature ensures better mixing and a fluffier texture in your cookies.
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Chop fruits uniformly: Cutting the candied fruits into similar sizes helps them distribute evenly throughout the dough, leading to a balanced flavor in every bite.
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Don’t overmix the dough: Mixing just until combined prevents tough cookies. Remember, a little bit of flour streaks is okay!
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Cool completely before storing: Letting your cookies cool on a wire rack prevents them from becoming soggy when stored. This ensures they stay deliciously fresh!
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Experiment with add-ins: Feel free to swap in different nuts or dried fruits based on your preferences. This flexibility allows you to customize the recipe according to your tastes!
How to Serve Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
These delightful fruitcake cookies not only taste divine but also make for an inviting holiday treat. Here are some fun ideas on how to present them beautifully for your family and friends.
Garnishes
- Powdered sugar dusting: A light sprinkle of powdered sugar adds a festive touch and enhances the visual appeal of your cookies.
- Candied citrus peel: Adding small pieces of candied citrus on top provides a pop of color and extra flavor that complements the fruitiness of the cookies.
Side Dishes
- Hot cocoa: A warm cup of hot cocoa pairs wonderfully with these fruity cookies, creating a cozy holiday treat experience.
- Spiced tea: The aromatic spices in spiced tea complement the flavors of the fruitcake cookies beautifully, making it an ideal pairing for afternoon gatherings.
- Fruit salad: A refreshing fruit salad can balance the sweetness of the cookies while adding a vibrant contrast on the plate.
- Cheese platter: A selection of mild cheeses can provide a delightful savory contrast, enhancing the overall dessert experience while entertaining guests.
With these tips and serving suggestions, your Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies will surely be a hit at any holiday gathering! Happy baking!
Make Ahead and Storage
These Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies are perfect for meal prep, allowing you to enjoy the festive flavors throughout the holiday season. You can bake them in advance and store them for later enjoyment, making your holiday baking stress-free!
Storing Leftovers
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
- They will stay fresh for about one week.
- If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing instead.
Freezing
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before freezing.
- Layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
- They can be frozen for up to three months.
Reheating
- To thaw, simply remove from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.
- For a warm treat, reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes.
FAQs
Here are some common questions you might have about this delightful recipe!
Can I use different nuts in the Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on your preference. Just make sure they’re roughly chopped for even distribution.
How do I make the Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe gluten-free?
You can easily swap out regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
How long do these cookies last?
When stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies will last up to one week at room temperature or three months if frozen.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you enjoy making these Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies! They hold a special place in my heart and bring warmth and joy during the holiday season. With their delightful flavors and festive colors, they’re sure to become a favorite in your home too. Happy baking, and may your holidays be filled with sweetness!
Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
If you’re in search of a festive treat to elevate your holiday celebrations, our Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe is just what you need! These delightful cookies are brimming with the vibrant flavors of candied fruits and crunchy nuts, making them a perfect addition to any holiday gathering. With a preparation time of just 15 minutes and a total baking time of 20 minutes, you can whip up these scrumptious cookies in no time! Their colorful appearance and comforting taste will surely bring joy to your home during this special season.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1/2 teaspoon almond essence
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon essence
- 1 1/2 cups plain flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup chopped candied pineapple
- 1 cup chopped candied red cherries
- 1 cup chopped candied green cherries
- 1 cup roughly chopped pecans
Instructions
- Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until pale and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and essences until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
- Gently fold in the chopped candied fruits and pecans until evenly distributed.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough onto prepared trays, spacing them two inches apart.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges.
- Allow cookies to cool on trays for five minutes before transferring them to wire racks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (25g)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
