Description
Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe: Quick, festive treats packed with dried fruit and nuts. Perfect for holiday baking! Crowd-pleasing and comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 medium orange)
- 1 cup (150g) mixed candied fruits, chopped
- ½ cup (75g) golden raisins
- ½ cup (60g) dried cranberries
- ½ cup (60g) chopped dates
- ½ cup (60g) chopped pistachios or walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined. Set aside this dry mixture while you prepare your fruits. Take a moment to chop any larger fruit pieces to ensure even distribution throughout your Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies. Toss the chopped fruits and nuts with 1 tablespoon of the measured flour.
- Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into your dough for the perfect texture. Don’t rush this stage—properly creamed butter creates the foundation for perfectly textured cookies. You’ll notice the mixture becoming notably lighter in color as you beat it.
- Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest, mixing until the batter is fragrant and well combined. The orange zest will release its oils as you mix, creating that distinctive holiday aroma that makes these Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies so special.
- Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fruits Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make your cookies tough. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, gently fold in the prepared fruits and nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough will be thick and studded with colorful pieces.
- Step 5: Chill, Scoop, and Bake Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor development. When ready to bake, scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball with the palm of your hand. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers still appear slightly soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Americaine
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 calories
- Sugar: 12 grams
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 7 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 2 grams
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies Recipe