Description

Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies combine the classic rich flavors of traditional fruitcake into a delightful cookie form. These spiced cookies are packed with candied fruits, raisins, and nuts, providing a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings or year-round snacking, they feature warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices for a comforting, nostalgic treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Add-ins

1 cup chopped candied fruits (e.g., cherries, pineapple)
1/2 cup raisins or currants
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy using a mixer or by hand. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in the chopped candied fruits, raisins (or currants), and chopped pecans or walnuts. This step ensures the mix-ins are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Shape and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

Ensure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming texture.
The candied fruits can include cherries, pineapple, or any preferred mix; chop them finely for easier eating.
You can substitute walnuts for pecans according to preference or nut allergies.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
These cookies freeze well; thaw at room temperature before serving.