Description
Delightful cookies capturing the essence of Christmas with vibrant flavors and festive cheer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 cup (160g) mixed candied fruit peel or glacé fruit mix, finely chopped
- ½ cup (75g) golden raisins
- ½ cup (75g) dried cranberries
- ½ cup (50g) chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for dusting fruit)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons orange juice (for soaking fruit)
- For Glaze: 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
- For Glaze: 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Soak chopped candied fruit, golden raisins, and dried cranberries in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of orange juice for at least 30 minutes.
- Toast chopped pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
- Toss soaked fruit and nuts with 2 tablespoons of flour to coat.
- In another bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups of flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Add dry ingredients gradually and mix until just combined.
- Fold in fruit and nut mixture gently.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets.
- Drop rounded scoops of dough onto baking sheets, leaving space in between.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Prepare optional glaze by whisking powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies or dip one side in it.
- Allow glaze to set for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Notes
For optimal flavor, soak fruit overnight. Toast nuts for added depth and avoid overmixing to keep cookies soft.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, fruitcake, holiday baking, festive desserts, easy cookie recipe