Description
Perfect fruitcake cookies bring festive cheer with rich Mediterranean flavors. Holiday bakers can savor these traditional spiced treats that blend classic ingredients into delightful compact bites.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (240 g) mixed candied fruits (cherries, pineapple, etc.), chopped
- 1 cup (120 g) chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or a mix)
- ½ cup (80 g) raisins or dried cranberries
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating an ideal surface for cookie placement.
- Butter Fusion: Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy, developing a rich, smooth base that provides structural integrity to the cookies.
- Egg and Flavor Integration: Whisk eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, blending thoroughly, then infuse with vanilla extract to elevate the aromatic profile.
- Dry Ingredient Symphony: Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl, whisking to distribute spices evenly and create a harmonious dry blend.
- Final Mixture: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, incorporating candied fruits, chopped nuts, and raisins until just combined, preserving the delicate cookie texture.
- Cookie Formation and Baking: Scoop rounded portions onto prepared sheets, spacing to allow spreading, then bake for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden brown while centers remain soft and chewy.
- Cooling Protocol: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for five minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, ensuring perfect texture and easy handling.
Notes
- Prevent Overworking Dough: Mix ingredients just until combined to keep cookies tender and avoid tough, dense texture.
- Optimize Fruit Distribution: Lightly coat candied fruits and nuts in flour before folding to prevent sinking and ensure even spread throughout the cookie.
- Control Moisture Balance: Pat dried fruits like raisins with paper towel to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy cookie centers.
- Temperature Precision: Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature for smoother blending and consistent cookie texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg