If you’re looking for a festive treat that combines tradition, flavor, and ease all in one bite, look no further than the Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies for the Holidays Recipe. These cookies capture the heartwarming spirit of classic fruitcake with a chewy texture packed full of luscious candied fruit, crunchy nuts, and cozy spices. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, gifting friends, or just sneaking a few for yourself, these cookies bring holiday nostalgia into a simple, delightful form everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step to making the Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies for the Holidays Recipe shine. Each component plays a key role, balancing sweet, spice, and texture to create that perfect holiday cookie experience.
- Butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and helps create tender, chewy cookies.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor essential for holiday treats.
- Eggs (2 large): Bind ingredients and contribute to the cookie’s soft texture.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Forms the cookie’s structure while keeping it tender.
- Baking soda (1 tsp): Helps cookies rise just enough for a soft chew.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): Delivers warm, festive spice that evokes holiday cheer.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 tsp): Complements cinnamon with subtle earthiness.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors perfectly.
- Mixed candied fruit (2 cups): The star of this cookie, adding bursts of chewy sweetness and vibrant color.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (1 cup): Introduces crunch and nutty flavor that balances the soft cookie.
- Raisins (1 cup): Another chewiness layer with natural sweetness—golden raisins work beautifully too!
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Rounds out the flavors with a mellow, fragrant note.
- Optional shredded coconut (1/2 cup): Offers a tropical twist and extra texture if you’re feeling adventurous.
How to Make Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies for the Holidays Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure easy cookie removal and effortless cleanup. This simple prep step sets the stage for cookie success.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This aeration is key for tender cookies with that perfect chew.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Then pour in the vanilla extract and mix until the batter turns smooth and fragrant.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Combining these spices with the flour ensures even distribution throughout the dough.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry mixture to your wet batter. Mix gently just until all the flour disappears; overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as they’re incorporated.
Step 6: Fold in Fruit, Nuts, and Coconut
Gently fold in the candied fruit, raisins, chopped nuts, and shredded coconut if you’re using it. This is where the cookie gets its festive flair with colorful, textured, and flavorful bursts in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop spoonfuls of dough (about rounded tablespoons) onto your prepared sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden but the centers still look slightly soft and set.
Step 8: Cool Completely
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully. This prevents breakage and helps them set perfectly chewy and delicious.
How to Serve Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies for the Holidays Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your fruitcake cookies by lightly dusting them with powdered sugar for that snowy holiday look. You can also drizzle some melted white chocolate over the top to add sweetness and an elegant finish that’s sure to delight guests.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm mug of spiced chai, hot cocoa, or your favorite holiday coffee blend. The spices in the drinks echo the flavors in the cookies, creating a comforting and complementary snack experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Package these cookies in pretty tins lined with festive tissue paper or clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for beautiful homemade gifts. You can also arrange them on a decorative holiday platter alongside other cookie varieties for a stunning cookie tray at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies for the Holidays Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This method keeps their soft chew intact and flavors vibrant.
Freezing
If you want to spread out your holiday baking, these cookies freeze wonderfully. Freeze baked cookies in airtight containers or zip-top bags for up to 3 months. You can also freeze scooped dough and bake directly from frozen—just add 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm, simply microwave a couple for about 10 seconds or warm them in a low oven for a few minutes. The warmth revives their soft texture and releases the cozy spices beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use different nuts or omit them?
Absolutely! Substitute pecans or walnuts with almonds, hazelnuts, or your favorite nuts. If you prefer nut-free cookies, simply leave them out—they’ll still be tasty and festive.
Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour 1:1 with a gluten-free baking flour blend. Just ensure your mix includes xanthan gum for structure or add it separately for best results.
Can I soak the dried fruits before adding them?
Soaking raisins or candied fruit in warm water or orange juice for 10-15 minutes plumps them up and adds an extra layer of moistness and flavor to the cookies.
How long will these cookies keep fresh?
Stored properly, these cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature and up to 10 days refrigerated. You’ll almost want to hide them to keep them from disappearing too quickly!
Can I add other spices to change the flavor?
Certainly! Ginger, allspice, or cloves can be added to the spice mix to customize the warmth of these cookies. Just add about 1/4 teaspoon at a time to avoid overpowering the delicate balance.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about the classic flavors wrapped up in these Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies for the Holidays Recipe. They’re simple enough to whip up anytime during the festive season yet special enough to become a new holiday tradition. Trust me, once you try these chewy, fruity, nutty gems, they’ll be a star on your cookie tray and in your heart year after year. So grab your mixing bowl and get baking—holiday magic is just a batch away!
Print
Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies for the Holidays Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Deliciously Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies capture the classic holiday flavors of traditional fruitcake in a chewy, festive cookie. Made with candied fruit, nuts, raisins, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these cookies are perfect for holiday cookie trays, gift exchanges, or make-ahead baking. They offer a nostalgic taste with a simple preparation that even novice bakers can enjoy.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
Mix-Ins
- 2 cups mixed candied fruit (e.g., red & green cherries)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup raisins (or golden raisins)
- Optional: 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, ensuring each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix just until all the flour mixture is incorporated to avoid overmixing, which can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Candied Fruit and Nuts: Gently fold in the mixed candied fruit, raisins, chopped pecans or walnuts, and shredded coconut if using, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look just set.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chop candied fruit and nuts evenly for uniform baking and texture.
- Do not overbake; the centers should look just set to keep cookies chewy.
- Optional: Soak raisins briefly in warm water or orange juice to plump them before adding.
- If dough is sticky, chill it for 20–30 minutes before scooping to make handling easier.
- Store baked cookies airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days, refrigerate for up to 10 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- You can also freeze scooped dough and bake directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to baking time.
- Variations include nut-free versions, adding chocolate chips, using tropical dried fruits like pineapple and macadamias, or substituting gluten-free flour blend 1:1.
- Add extra spice with ginger or allspice for a different twist.
- For presentation, dust cookies with powdered sugar, drizzle with white chocolate, or package in festive tins or bags with ribbons for gifting.
- Avoid common mistakes such as skipping parchment paper, overloading with fruit, overmixing the dough, or baking too long which affects texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
