Fruit Cake Cookies Recipe: A Nostalgic Holiday Treat Full of Love
There’s something magical about baking a recipe passed down through generations. This fruit cake cookies recipe is one such treasure, lovingly baked every Christmas by my late sister, Louise Stewart. These cookies were her way of sharing love with family and friends during the holidays, and now I’m carrying on that tradition.
As I found her handwritten recipe in the attic, memories of family gatherings and the sweet smell of her fruit cake cookies flooded my heart. Baking these cookies today feels like a warm hug from the past, and I hope they bring just as much joy to your family as they have to mine.
Why Fruit Cake Cookies Are Perfect for the Holidays
These fruit cake cookies are everything you love about traditional fruitcake, but in bite-sized, chewy cookie form. They’re packed with chopped pecans, cherries, pineapple, and dates, all perfectly balanced with warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. A splash of whiskey or rum adds a touch of holiday cheer to these delightful treats.
They’re perfect for sharing with neighbors, gifting to friends, or adding to your Christmas dessert spread. Plus, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious!
Ingredients for Fruit Cake Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these nostalgic cookies:
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 4 eggs
- 4 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1/4 cup whiskey or rum (I used vanilla rum)
- Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (sifted once)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (added to buttermilk)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon allspice
- Fruits and Nuts:
- 1 1/2 lbs. pecans, chopped
- 1 lb. cherries (crystallized, chopped)
- 1 lb. pineapple (crystallized, chopped)
- 1 lb. dates (chopped)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 300°F.
2. Cream the Base Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the brown sugar and shortening until light and fluffy.
Picture Placement
Image 1: The handwritten recipe for fruit cake cookies.
Alt Text: “A handwritten fruit cake cookie recipe passed down through generations, featuring ingredients and instructions.”
Place this image here to highlight the family connection and the recipe’s history.
3. Add the Eggs and Buttermilk
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir the baking soda into the buttermilk and add it to the mixture.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift the flour once and mix with the cinnamon and allspice. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
5. Prepare the Fruits and Nuts
Chop the crystallized fruits and dredge them (along with the pecans) in a bit of flour to prevent sticking. Fold the floured fruit and nuts into the dough.
6. Shape and Bake
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes at 300°F, but be careful not to overcook. Let the cookies cool on the sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
7. Decorate (Optional)
If desired, decorate the tops of the cookies with small bits of red and green pineapple for a festive touch.
Tips for Perfect Fruit Cake Cookies
- Use quality fruits and nuts: Crystallized fruit and fresh pecans make all the difference in flavor and texture.
- Flour the fruit and nuts: This prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the cookies during baking.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies should be soft and chewy, not dry.
- Experiment with flavors: Vanilla rum, whiskey, or even spiced rum can add a unique twist to the recipe.
A Sweet Tradition to Share
Baking these fruit cake cookies is more than just making a holiday treat—it’s a way to keep cherished family traditions alive. Every bite is filled with love, memories, and the flavors of Christmas. Whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or enjoying them with a warm cup of tea, these cookies are sure to become a beloved part of your holiday season.
So grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and bake a batch of these nostalgic fruit cake cookies. Who knows? They just might become your new Christmas tradition!
