Description
Classic Old-Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies blend rich holiday traditions with sweet memories. Spiced dough packed with candied fruits and nuts creates a delightful treat you’ll savor during festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) (227 grams) softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (150 grams) chopped candied red cherries
- 1 cup (150 grams) chopped candied green cherries
- 1 cup (150 grams) chopped candied pineapple
- 1 cup (120 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ cup (75 grams) golden raisins
- ½ cup (75 grams) chopped dates
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Maceration: Soak candied fruit and raisins in rum for 30 minutes to amplify flavor complexity and infuse a subtle alcoholic essence.
- Creaming: Whip butter and brown sugar until ethereally light and voluminous, creating a smooth, pale foundation for the cookie dough.
- Binding: Fold in egg and vanilla extract, ensuring complete incorporation and developing a rich, aromatic base with uniform consistency.
- Dry Blend: Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, sifting thoroughly to eliminate potential lumps and distribute spices evenly.
- Amalgamation: Gently fold dry ingredients into butter mixture, using delicate strokes to maintain a tender, delicate cookie texture without overmixing.
- Embellishment: Integrate chopped candied fruit, raisins, and nuts throughout the dough, creating a balanced distribution of festive elements.
- Preparation & Baking: Drop rounded tablespoons onto lined baking sheet, spacing adequately, and bake in preheated 350F (175C) oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers set.
- Finishing: Cool cookies briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling, allowing them to firm and develop optimal texture.
Notes
- Rum Infusion Technique: Soak candied fruit and raisins in rum for deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the traditional cookie taste.
- Butter Whipping Method: Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base that ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Spice Distribution Trick: Thoroughly whisk dry spices into flour to prevent clumping and guarantee even flavor throughout the cookie dough.
- Freezing Storage Hack: Wrap cookies carefully in parchment and freeze up to 3 months, maintaining their rich taste and soft consistency for extended enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (per batch)
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg