Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies: Amazing Holiday Treat

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Old fashioned fruitcake cookies have a special place in my heart, bringing back memories of cozy winter afternoons and the scent of spices filling my childhood home. These aren’t your dense, heavy fruitcakes; they’re soft, chewy little gems bursting with the cheerful colors of candied fruits and the satisfying crunch of pecans. My grandma used to make these traditional fruitcake cookies every year, and her recipe for grandma’s fruitcake cookies was always the highlight of our holiday baking. The aroma alone is enough to make you feel festive! Let’s get baking these delightful treats.

Why You’ll Love These Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

These cookies are a holiday dream come true! Here’s why you’ll adore them:

Incredible Taste: A perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and fruity flavors with a delightful chewy texture.
Quick Prep: This easy fruitcake cookie recipe comes together in just 15 minutes of prep time.
Festive Appeal: Packed with colorful candied fruits, they look as beautiful as they taste.
Budget-Friendly: A wonderful way to enjoy fruitcake flavors without the fuss or cost of a traditional loaf.
Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike will adore these festive treats, making them perfect for sharing.
Simple to Make: You won’t believe how straightforward this easy fruitcake cookie recipe is, even for beginners.
Nostalgic Charm: They capture the comforting essence of traditional fruitcake cookies.

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

Gathering these simple fruitcake cookie ingredients is the first step to baking up a batch of holiday cheer. You’ll need the basics for the cookie dough, plus all the colorful goodies that make these special. Using room temperature butter is key for creaming it properly with sugar, ensuring a light and fluffy base for our cookies. The extracts – vanilla, almond, and lemon – add layers of fragrance that complement the fruits beautifully. These ingredients come together to create a truly classic cookie experience.

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature – for a tender crumb
3/4 cup sugar – provides sweetness and helps with browning
1 large egg – binds everything together
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – adds classic warmth
1/2 teaspoon almond extract – enhances the fruity flavors
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract – adds a bright citrus note
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – the structure of our cookie
1/2 teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness
1/2 teaspoon baking soda – helps the cookies rise slightly
1 cup diced candied pineapple – for a sweet, tropical chew
1 cup diced candied red cherries – adds vibrant color and sweetness
1 cup diced candied green cherries – for more festive color and fruitiness
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans – provides a delightful nutty crunch

How to Make Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

Get ready to bake some truly special holiday treats! Making these homemade fruitcake cookies is a joy from start to finish, and the aroma that fills your kitchen is pure magic. Follow these simple steps to create these festive delights.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking for your old fashioned fruitcake cookies.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature and 3/4 cup sugar using a stand mixer or hand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming process incorporates air, which is vital for a good cookie texture.
Step 3: Add in the 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, and 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract. Mix well until fully incorporated. The combination of extracts adds a wonderful fragrance, hinting at the deliciousness to come.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Whisking the dry ingredients ensures they are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of salt or baking soda in your cookies.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing slowly until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to tougher cookies. We want tender, chewy treats, not tough ones!
Step 6: Gently fold in the 1 cup diced candied pineapple, 1 cup diced candied red cherries, 1 cup diced candied green cherries, and 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Ensure the fruits and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough for a delightful bite in every cookie. This is what makes them truly homemade fruitcake cookies.
Step 7: Use a heaping tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 to 4 inches apart. This gives them room to spread slightly as they bake.
Step 8: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges of the Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary. You’re looking for that perfect golden hue.
Step 9: Allow the fruitcake cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period is crucial for the cookies to set properly, making them easier to handle and store. Enjoy your delicious, festive creation!

Pro Tips for the Best Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

Want to elevate your baking? These tips will ensure your old fashioned fruitcake cookies are absolutely perfect every time. They’re simple tricks that make a big difference in taste and texture.

Ensure your candied fruits are well-drained and diced to a uniform size. This helps them bake evenly and prevents overly sweet spots.
Don’t skip the extracts! The combination of vanilla, almond, and lemon really elevates the fruity and nutty flavors, making these truly traditional fruitcake cookies.
Bake at a slightly lower temperature (300°F) to ensure the cookies cook through without the delicate candied fruits burning.
Allowing the dough to chill for 30 minutes before scooping can help the cookies hold their shape better, especially if your kitchen is warm.

What’s the secret to perfect Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies?

The secret to the best old fashioned fruitcake cookies lies in the balance of textures and flavors. Using a variety of candied fruits and nuts, along with those special extracts, creates a complex taste. Baking them at a lower temperature ensures they stay moist and chewy, not dry and crumbly. For more baking tips, check out this guide on various baking techniques.

Can I make Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, simply scoop the chilled dough onto the baking sheets, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time since the dough will be cold.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies?

A common pitfall is overmixing the dough after adding flour, which can make cookies tough. Also, be careful not to overbake; the edges should be golden, but the centers should still be slightly soft. This ensures a wonderfully chewy cookie.

Best Ways to Serve Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

These delightful cookies are perfect for any festive occasion. They are wonderful on their own, but I love serving them with a warm mug of spiced apple cider or a rich hot chocolate. For a more elaborate holiday spread, arrange these holiday fruitcake cookies on a platter with other Christmas treats like gingerbread or shortbread. They also pair beautifully with a sharp cheddar cheese or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream for a lovely contrast in flavors and textures. No matter how you serve them, these cookies are sure to spread holiday cheer!

Nutrition Facts for Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

These festive cookies are a treat for the holidays! Here’s an approximate breakdown of what you can expect per cookie, though the exact numbers can vary based on your specific ingredients and how generously you scoop the dough.

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 180
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 75mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

How to Store and Reheat Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

Once your delicious old fashioned fruitcake cookies have cooled completely, proper storage is key to keeping them fresh and flavorful. I always let mine cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes to an hour to ensure they’re firm enough to handle without crumbling. For the best taste and texture, store these holiday fruitcake cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you need them to last longer, pop them into the refrigerator for up to a week, though they might become a bit firmer.

For true long-term storage, these cookies freeze beautifully! Wrap them well in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their quality for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying. You can also gently warm them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes for that just-baked warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies

Can I make Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies with different nuts?

Absolutely! While pecans are classic, feel free to swap them out. Walnuts are a fantastic alternative, offering a slightly different nutty flavor. You could even try a mix of nuts if you like! This flexibility is one of the great things about an old fashioned fruitcake cookies recipe; it’s very adaptable to your preferences. For other nut-based recipes, check out these pecan cookies.

What if I don’t have candied fruit? Can I substitute?

If you can’t find candied fruit, don’t worry! You can use an equal amount of dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates. Just be sure they are plump and moist. Some recipes also suggest using finely chopped dried apricots. This is a great way to customize your old fashioned fruitcake cookies recipe if certain ingredients are hard to come by.

How do I get the ‘fruitcake’ flavor without a traditional fruitcake?

The key to mimicking that beloved fruitcake flavor in cookie form is the combination of ingredients. The candied fruits themselves provide a lot of that classic taste. Additionally, using almond or even a touch of brandy extract in your dough, as this old fashioned fruitcake cookies recipe does, really enhances the festive, rich flavor profile associated with fruitcake. You might also enjoy lemon meltaways for a different citrusy cookie experience.

Are these cookies very sweet?

These cookies are definitely on the sweeter side, thanks to the sugar in the dough and the candied fruits. If you prefer a less sweet cookie, you can slightly reduce the sugar in the dough by a tablespoon or two. However, the sweetness is part of what makes them such a delightful holiday treat!

Variations of Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies You Can Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic, why not get creative? These variations add exciting twists to your baking repertoire. For a delightful change, try making spiced fruitcake cookies by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients. This warms up the flavor profile beautifully, perfect for a chilly evening. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, you can easily substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and use a plant-based milk if any liquid is needed, though this recipe doesn’t call for it. Another fun idea is to experiment with different dried fruits; chopped dates or dried cranberries can offer a lovely chew and flavor contrast. You could also try a gluten-free version by using a good quality gluten-free flour blend, ensuring you still get that wonderful texture. For more baking inspiration, explore these diverse recipes.