Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup dried fruit mix (chopped candied cherries, pineapple, or apricots)
½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
¼ cup raisins or currants
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions:
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add wet ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Add fruits and nuts: Stir in the dried fruit mix, raisins (or currants), and chopped nuts using a spatula or spoon until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop and shape cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden and the centers are set. The cookies should be slightly soft in the center but firm around the edges.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve: Enjoy your chewy fruitcake cookies with a cup of tea or as a sweet holiday treat!
Tips:
You can adjust the mix of dried fruits to your preference—adding or substituting fruits like dried cranberries or figs for a unique twist.
For extra flavor, you can add a little orange zest or a splash of rum extract to enhance the holiday feel.
These cookies store well in an airtight container for several days, or freeze them for later enjoyment.
Enjoy your Chewy Fruitcake Cookies—they’re the perfect combination of chewy, fruity, and spiced goodness!