Easy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe (2024)

Fruitcake Cookies is an easy Holiday cookie recipe that is quick to prepare and bake. They are fabulous drop cookie that has festive flavors from citrus, candied cherries, and pineapple.

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

• Fruitcake is a Christmas tradition for many families. Converting the idea into fruit-filled cookies was fun and these are alcohol-free so the entire family can enjoy them.
• Going to a cookie exchange, these candied fruit cookies travel well and are perfect for Holiday celebrations.
• These cookies do not taste like a traditional fruitcake. They are chewy and have a nice warm flavor from the spices that pair well with the dried fruit.

• The cookies have a mild spice from the cinnamon and nutmeg which blends very well with the candied fruit.

• These are easy treats to prepare because the dough doesn't need to be refrigerated before baking. Just mix, drop, and bake, easy and delicious.

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour is the base of the cookie.
• Unsalted Butter, we use unsalted butter to control the salt intake.
• Light brown sugar, adds a warm molasses flavor.
• White sugar, adds additional sweetness to the cookies
• Coarsely chopped fruitcake mix is the classic mix for these cookies.
• Vanilla Extract, is another level of flavor that compliments the sugars.
• Egg is a binder for the cookie.
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt add warm flavors.

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Equipment

• Baking Sheets
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups
• Electric Mixer

Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

Step 1: To mix the dry ingredients, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 2: In a large mixing using an electric hand mixer with beaters attached or the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, and butter until well blended.

Step 3: This will take about 2-3 minutes. The ingredients will be well incorporated.

Step 4: Add in and blend the egg and vanilla into the butter/sugar mixture for about 30 seconds, to mix all ingredients.

Step 5:Mix in the dry ingredient mixture until ingredients are combined, about another 30 seconds.

Step 6: Once incorporated, fold in the fruitcake mix.

Step 7: With the oven pre-heated at 350°F (177°C), form each cookie into about 1-inch balls using a small cookie scooper on a greased cookie sheet.

Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Step 9: Once the time is done, allow the cookies to cool a bit before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Step 10: Enjoy them with hot cocoa, egg nog, or all by themselves!

Storage

Once baked, the fruitcake cookies can keep in an airtight covered container on the counter for 3-4 days.

You can freeze the baked cookies for 2-3 months in a freezer-safe bag.

The best way to freeze baked cookies is to place them on a large baking tray in the freezer for about 35-40 minutes so they become solid. Then the cookies can be placed in a freezer safe bag. They will not stick together because the cookies were pre-frozen.

Defrost by removing them from the freezer and placing them in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.

Make-ahead instructions

Uncooked cookie dough, (not formed into cookies) can be wrapped well with plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe bag for 2 months. I form the dough into a log to freeze for later.

Defrost overnight in the fridge and continue with Step 7 in the recipe.

Expert Tips

Expert Tip: Be sure to have the unsalted butter and egg at room temperature so it blends easily.

• Don't overbake the cookies. They will golden brown when baked through.
• Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies on your dessert table. Milk is always a go-to choice to serve with cookies. Some other drinks to add to the dessert table could be a copycat Caramel Macchiato! A fantastic cold drink loved by all.

Instant Pot Hot Chocolate is always requested!

For the over 21 crowds, my Dad's famous Irish Coffee is always a hit.

Looking for something hot and soothing, try our Hot Toddy!

Serve them up with all of your favorite Holiday Sweets and Treats.

Similar recipes

• Italian Rainbow Cookies, these cookies have become a favorite of mine.
• Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, so decadent and so delish.
• Pecan Sandies a classic cookie recipeand a family favorite.
• Crispy Gingersnap Cookies, another tasty classic.
• Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies, is a fun cookie loaded with peanut butter flavor.
• Neiman Marcus Cookies are another winner loaded with flavor.
• Looking for a super easy cookie recipe, try our Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies, yum!

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If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

Eileen xo

📖 Recipe