Christmas Fruit Cookies

Christmas Fruit Cookies Recipe - Delicious Cookies for the Holidays!

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies

Introduction

Christmas Fruit Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that are packed with festive flavors and textures. These cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones during the holiday season.

History

Christmas Fruit Cookies have been a popular holiday treat for generations. The combination of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices in these cookies is reminiscent of traditional Christmas fruitcake, but in a more convenient and bite-sized form.

Ingredients

0.5 cup of shortening
0.5 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
0.5 tsp of vanilla
0.5 tsp of soda
1.5 tbsp of buttermilk
1 cup of flour
0.25 tsp of allspice
0.25 tsp of nutmeg
0.25 tsp of cinnamon
0.25 cup of bourbon
0.5 lb (227 g) of white raisins
0.5 lb (227 g) of candied cherries
0.5 lb (227 g) of candied pineapple
0.5 cup of flour
1.5 cup of chopped pecans

How to prepare

In a bowl, cream the shortening and sugar together.
Beat in the eggs and add the vanilla.
Dissolve the soda in the buttermilk.
In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of flour and the spices.
Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk and bourbon.
After each addition, beat the mixture well.
Coat the fruit with 0.5 cup of flour.
Stir the coated fruit and nuts into the batter.
Drop teaspoonfuls of the batter onto greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Variations

Swap out the bourbon for rum or brandy for a different flavor profile.
Use different dried fruits such as cranberries or apricots for a unique twist on the classic recipe.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to cream the shortening and sugar together thoroughly to ensure a light and fluffy texture in the cookies.

- Coating the fruit and nuts in flour helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cookies during baking.

- Be sure to beat the batter well after each addition of flour and liquid to ensure a well-mixed and evenly textured dough.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy Christmas Fruit Cookies with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea for a cozy holiday treat.

Cooking Techniques

Creaming the shortening and sugar together helps create a light and tender cookie texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the dough for Christmas Fruit Cookies ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. This allows the flavors to meld together for an even tastier cookie.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange Christmas Fruit Cookies on a festive platter and dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve Christmas Fruit Cookies with a glass of mulled wine or eggnog for a classic holiday pairing.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store Christmas Fruit Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Christmas Fruit Cookies contains approximately 150 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Christmas Fruit Cookies contains approximately 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Christmas Fruit Cookies contains approximately 8 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Christmas Fruit Cookies contains approximately 2 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Christmas Fruit Cookies are a good source of vitamin C from the dried fruits, as well as iron and potassium from the nuts.

Alergens

Christmas Fruit Cookies contain nuts and eggs, so they may not be suitable for those with nut or egg allergies.

Summary

Christmas Fruit Cookies are a delicious holiday treat that provide a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They also offer a variety of vitamins and minerals from the dried fruits and nuts.

Summary

Christmas Fruit Cookies are a classic holiday treat that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, these cookies are sure to become a new holiday tradition in your home.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Christmas Fruit Cookies. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the art of cooking from my grandmother. She was a master in the kitchen, creating delicious dishes and treats that always left us wanting more.

One cold winter day, as the snow fell gently outside the window, I sat at the kitchen table watching my grandmother as she worked her magic. She was in the midst of preparing for the holiday season, and I could see the twinkle in her eye as she carefully measured out ingredients and mixed them together with love.

As she sifted flour and chopped up dried fruits, I couldn't help but ask her about the recipe she was making. With a smile, she began to tell me the story of how she learned to make these special Christmas Fruit Cookies.

"It all started many years ago," she began, her voice warm and full of nostalgia. "I was a young bride, just starting out in my own kitchen. I had always loved baking, and I was determined to create something special for our first Christmas together."

She told me about how she had asked her own grandmother for a recipe for Christmas cookies, hoping to carry on the tradition in her own home. Her grandmother had handed her a worn piece of paper, covered in faded writing and splattered with ingredients.

"This recipe has been passed down through the generations," her grandmother had said. "It's a special treat that we always make during the holidays. I hope you will enjoy making it as much as I have."

With a sense of determination, my grandmother set out to make the cookies. She followed the instructions carefully, mixing the dough and adding in the dried fruits and nuts. The kitchen soon filled with the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon and cloves, as the cookies baked to perfection in the oven.

As she pulled the first batch out of the oven, I could see the pride in my grandmother's eyes. The cookies were a beautiful golden brown, studded with colorful pieces of fruit and nuts. She offered me one to try, and as I bit into it, I was transported to a world of warmth and sweetness.

From that moment on, those Christmas Fruit Cookies became a staple in our holiday celebrations. My grandmother would make them every year, and I would watch in awe as she expertly rolled out the dough and cut it into perfect shapes. She would always tell me stories of her own grandmother, passing down the recipe through the generations.

As I grew older, I began to help my grandmother in the kitchen, learning the secrets of her delicious cookies. I would carefully measure out the ingredients, mix them together, and shape the dough into festive shapes. Together, we would bake batch after batch of cookies, filling the house with the comforting scent of Christmas.

Now, as I sit in my own kitchen, preparing for the holiday season, I can't help but think of my grandmother and the legacy of those Christmas Fruit Cookies. The recipe may have come from a piece of paper, but the memories and traditions that it represents have been passed down through the generations, from one cook to another.

And as I take a bite of a warm, freshly baked cookie, I am filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude for the gift of cooking that my grandmother gave to me. The recipe for those Christmas Fruit Cookies may have come from her, but the love and joy that it brings to my family each year is truly priceless.