Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies Recipe are a delightful holiday treat. These cookies bring festive cheer to any gathering.
They’re packed with colorful candied fruits and nuts. The old fashioned fruitcake cookies recipe is surprisingly simple.
You don’t need fancy skills to make them. Even beginners can create these beautiful cookies at home. The best part? They taste absolutely amazing with coffee or tea.
This recipe makes soft, chewy cookies everyone will love. Let me show you how to make old fashioned fruitcake cookies today.
Trust me, they’ll become your new favorite tradition.
When I First Introduced to Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies
I discovered these cookies at my grandmother’s house. She baked them every Christmas without fail. The kitchen smelled like cinnamon and spices.
I was only eight years old back then. Those colorful fruits caught my eye immediately. Grandma let me help mix the dough. I felt so special being her little helper.
The cookies tasted like happiness in every bite. Now I make them for my own family. They remind me of those precious childhood memories.
Equipment List
You’ll need basic kitchen tools for this recipe. Here’s what to gather before starting:
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Oven
Ingredients You Need for Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Half teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Quarter teaspoon salt
- Half cup softened butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups mixed candied fruits
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Half cup raisins
Step-by-Step Guide
- Clear your counter and gather all ingredients.
- This makes the process much smoother.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F right away.
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper now.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and spices together.
- Whisk them well in a medium bowl.
- Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Beat softened butter until it’s light and fluffy.
- Add brown sugar gradually while mixing continuously.
- This should take about three minutes total.
- Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time.
- Beat well after each egg addition happens.
- Pour in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to wet ingredients.
- Mix until just combined, don’t overmix the dough.
- Fold in candied fruits, nuts, and raisins gently.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets.
- Space them two inches apart for spreading room.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
- Let cookies cool on sheets for five minutes.
- Transfer to cooling racks to finish cooling completely.
Tips to Make the Best Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies
- Don’t skip softening your butter to room temperature.
- Cold butter won’t mix properly with other ingredients.
- Chop candied fruits into smaller pieces if needed.
- This helps distribute them evenly throughout cookies.
- Use fresh spices for the best flavor possible.
- Old spices lose their punch over time quickly.
- Don’t overbake these cookies or they’ll turn dry.
- They should look slightly underdone when you remove them.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
- They stay fresh for up to two weeks.
FAQs about Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies
Q: Can I freeze old fashioned fruitcake cookies?
A: Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully for three months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving again.
Q: What can replace candied fruits in this recipe?
A: Dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots work wonderfully. Use any dried fruit you prefer instead.
Q: How do I make cookies softer?
A: Add one tablespoon of honey to the dough. This keeps moisture locked inside each cookie perfectly.
Q: Can I use different nuts?
A: Absolutely, try almonds, cashews, or even macadamia nuts. Use whatever nuts your family enjoys most.
Q: Why are my cookies spreading too much?
A: Your butter might be too soft or melted. Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Final Thoughts
Old fashioned fruitcake cookies bring joy to every occasion. This recipe is perfect for holiday baking sessions.
The ingredients for old fashioned fruitcake cookies are simple. You probably have most of them at home already.
These cookies make wonderful gifts for friends and neighbors. Wrap them in pretty boxes with festive ribbons.
Your family will request them year after year. Start a new tradition with this amazing recipe today.
More Amazing Recipes
- Martha Stewart French Toast Recipe
- Martha Stewart Blueberry Muffins Recipe
- Martha Stewart Egg Strata Recipe
- Martha Stewart Blueberry Muffins Recipe
Old Fashioned Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Half teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Quarter teaspoon salt
- Half cup softened butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups mixed candied fruits
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Half cup raisins
Instructions
- Clear your counter and gather all ingredients.
- This makes the process much smoother.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F right away.
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper now.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and spices together.
- Whisk them well in a medium bowl.
- Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Beat softened butter until it’s light and fluffy.
- Add brown sugar gradually while mixing continuously.
- This should take about three minutes total.
- Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time.
- Beat well after each egg addition happens.
- Pour in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to wet ingredients.
- Mix until just combined, don’t overmix the dough.
- Fold in candied fruits, nuts, and raisins gently.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets.
- Space them two inches apart for spreading room.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
- Let cookies cool on sheets for five minutes.
- Transfer to cooling racks to finish cooling completely.
Notes
- Don’t skip softening your butter to room temperature.
- Cold butter won’t mix properly with other ingredients.
- Chop candied fruits into smaller pieces if needed.
- This helps distribute them evenly throughout cookies.
- Use fresh spices for the best flavor possible.
- Old spices lose their punch over time quickly.
- Don’t overbake these cookies or they’ll turn dry.
- They should look slightly underdone when you remove them.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
- They stay fresh for up to two weeks.
