Chewy Fruitcake Cookies – Festive & Delicious Holiday Cookies

If you’re looking for a way to bring the nostalgic, festive flavors of a classic fruitcake into bite-sized, chewy cookies, this recipe is for you! With hints of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and a variety of colorful dried fruits, these cookies are bursting with holiday warmth. They’re quick to make, delightful to eat, and they make wonderful homemade gifts or treats for gatherings. Plus, they bake up beautifully chewy—a holiday favorite in every bite!

Ingredients

• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups chopped mixed dried fruit (such as a fruitcake mix with orange and lemon peels, red and green cherries, pineapple, or your favorites!)

How to Make Chewy Fruitcake Cookies – Step-by-Step

1. Preheat Your Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars
   In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is essential for the perfect chewy texture!
4. Add Wet Ingredients
   Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until fully combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
   Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently, being careful not to overmix.
6. Add the Dried Fruits
   Fold in the chopped dried fruits until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Form and Bake
   Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are just slightly golden. Don’t overbake—this keeps them nice and chewy!
8. Cool and Enjoy
   Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dig in and enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Choose Your Dried Fruits
  The fruitcake mix is a quick option, but feel free to personalize your cookie flavors! Dried apricots, cranberries, raisins, or even diced dried apples all make wonderful substitutes.
• Avoid Overmixing
  Overmixing the dough can lead to tougher cookies. Mix just until the ingredients come together for the best chewy texture.
• Perfect Baking Time
  For chewy cookies, stick to the recommended 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Overbaking will make them crispier.

Substitutions and Variations

• Spice It Up
  Add a hint of ground ginger for an extra kick or replace the nutmeg with allspice if that’s what you have on hand.
• Fruit and Nut Combo
  Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
• Vegan Option
  Substitute butter with coconut oil and the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) to make them vegan-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruit?
Dried fruit works best for these cookies since fresh fruit adds too much moisture and will alter the texture.

How can I make these cookies more festive?
For a festive touch, drizzle white chocolate on top or sprinkle them with powdered sugar once they’re cool.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough up to 2 days in advance, store it in the fridge, and bake fresh when you’re ready.

Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature
  Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• Freezing
  These cookies freeze well! Place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.

Give these a try, and let’s keep the holiday baking spirit going!

Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe

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• Author: Zakia
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Chewy Fruitcake Cookies bring classic holiday flavors to a deliciously soft and chewy cookie. Packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and a mix of colorful dried fruits, these festive treats are perfect for holiday baking or gifting. Quick to make and even quicker to disappear, they’re a cookie everyone will love!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups chopped mixed dried fruit (fruitcake mix or your favorites)

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
• In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, blending until combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the dried fruit.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart, and bake for 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
• Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For extra flavor, add a touch of ground ginger or allspice.
• Make sure not to overbake to keep cookies soft and chewy.
• These cookies freeze well; store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Holiday, American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 110
• Sugar: 7g
• Cholesterol: 15mg