Description
Bake these chewy fruitcake cookies to capture the classic holiday fruitcake flavor in an easy-to-handle cookie format. These are perfect for holiday baking and gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups mixed candied fruit (cherries, pineapple, citron)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and optional rum extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the mixed candied fruit and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. They should remain slightly soft for chewiness.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cool, lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar, if desired.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, soak the candied fruit in 2 tablespoons of rum or brandy overnight before mixing into the dough. Drain excess liquid before use.
- If you prefer a firmer cookie, bake for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 65
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 21
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 30