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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free

    5 Of The Best Fruitcake Cookies Recipes For Your Holiday

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    It seems like every family has its own fruitcake cookies recipes. Fruitcake cookies are a delicious traditional holiday treat that has a long and storied history.

    {{This post about fruitcake cookies recipes was made in partnership with California Prunes. We received compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. Thank you for your continued support of our small business!}}

    Dried fruit for fruitcake liquor.

    What is a Fruitcake Cookie?

    Fruitcake cookies recipes vary greatly depending on the baker. Typically they are a type of soft cookie that is made with dried fruit, nuts, and spices. This type of cookie is often referred to as a "drop cookie".

    What is a drop cookie?

    “Drop cookie” is a term applied to cookie recipes where bakers “drop” cookie dough from a spoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheet, rather than roll it out or cut it into specific shapes. Cookies like Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Chip are classic drop cookie recipes.

    What are the origins of Fruitcake Cookies?

    The origins of fruitcake cookies can be traced back to the origins of fruitcake itself in ancient Rome, where fruit and nuts were often mixed into bread and cakes as a way to preserve them for long periods of time. Over the centuries, fruitcake recipes have evolved and adapted to different cultural influences, resulting in a wide variety of fruitcake variations found around the world.

    The Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Fruitcake Recipes

    Want to learn more about Fruitcake?

    Last year I set out on a mission, to embrace my inner fruitcake fan and to develop the BEST gluten-free fruitcake recipe on the internet. You can click here to check out those recipes!

    In the United States, fruitcake cookies are a popular holiday treat, especially during the Christmas season. They are often served as part of a dessert spread or given as gifts to friends and family.

    What are the origins of this Fruitcake Cookie recipe?

    I actually first learned of Fruitcake Cookies, from my biological grandfather. You see, I didn't meet my birth family until I was almost 40 years old which means he and I had a lot of catching up to do!

    I was hungry for knowledge about my roots and he was fully locked and loaded with a lifetime full of stories. And since he was the cook of the family he had quite a few recipes to share with me, including Fruitcake Cookies!

    If you are interested in checking out more of the recipes my grandfather passed onto me you can click here for his recipe for Orange Juice Cake, it is phenomenal!

    What do Fruitcake Cookies taste like?

    Fruitcake cookies have a dense and chewy texture and are bursting with the flavors of dried fruit and nuts. Common ingredients in fruitcake cookies include California prunes, raisins, candied citrus peel, and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans. Some recipes also include spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for added flavor.

    Dried fruit, like California prunes, are a key ingredient in fruitcake cookies and can add a wealth of nutritional value. California prunes, in particular, are a good source of fiber and contain important nutrients like potassium and vitamin K. Prunes are great for bone health, gut health, heart health, and your tastebuds!

    The Most Versatile Fruitcake Recipe Ever; Fruitcake Liquor

    How to prepare the boozy fruit for baking Fruitcake cookies.

    While some Fruitcake cookie recipes will have you soaking dried fruit in rum or brandy for a significant period of time, this recipe for Fruitcake cookies actually uses the leftover boozy dried fruit from making our Fruitcake Infused Liquor for the holidays.

    If you haven't prepared the boozy fruit mixture in advance, no worries you can still make these cookies. I have a solution for you in the notes section of the recipe card below.

    If you are using our boozy dried fruit mixture, it goes without saying that the dried fruit will have absorbed a good amount of liquid at this point and we don't want soggy cookies, so draining the fruitcake fruit is essential before baking.

    It is also important because, in some cases, alcohol like rum can impart a slightly bitter flavor to baked goods if too much alcohol is present.

    How to strain the boozy dried fruit mixture.

    The first step of this recipe will read, 'strain ½ cup boozy dried fruit fruitcake blend.'

    Don't skip this step and do it first so it has adequate time to release the alcohol that has accumulated in and around all of the dried fruit.

    The alcohol that strains out can be used in a Fruitcake Rum & Coke or returned to the container with the rest of the alcohol for a later date.

    More delicious fruitcake-inspired cookie recipes to try next!

    If you're looking for a delicious and festive holiday treat, give some of these fruitcake cookies recipes a try! There are many different fruitcake cookie recipes to choose from, so you're sure to find one that fits your taste preferences. Whether you're a fan of traditional fruitcake or prefer a more modern twist on the classic recipe, there's a fruitcake cookie out there for everyone.

    Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookie recipe

    Sugarplum Shortbread Cookies

    Out of all of our cookie recipes for the holiday season, this Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookie recipe is a tried and true classic! This cookie recipe is laced with the same types of dried fruit that are called for in our fruitcake cookie recipes - so if you love those, you will be a fan of these too!

    Read more

    Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie

    With whole grain oatmeal, four types of dried fruit including California prunes, two types of nuts, and one hearty seed rounding out the ingredient list, these cookies I created for California Grown are actually a better breakfast choice than your sugar-laced bowl of cereal.

    Read more

    Ina Garten's Fruitcake Cookies

    Y'all I love some Ina Garten and her recipes are always so good! I love these slice-and-bake style Fruitcake Cookies she created for the Food Network. They are just colorful and stunning!

    Read more
    A pile of gluten free oatmeal date cookies on a plate

    The Best Gluten-Free Oatmeal Date Cookies

    I know what you are thinking - how are these fruitcake cookies inspired? Well, for one this drop cookie is literally exploding with dried fruit - it's all dates but maybe you're a one-note type of fruitcake cookie eater and this is the recipe for you!
    Buttery, brown sugar-laced oatmeal cookies that are studded with chewy dates, vanilla beans, and cinnamon?! Yes, please!

    Read more

    If you’ve given any of these Fruitcake Cookie recipes a try I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe with a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! 

    I just love hearing from you! Your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours.

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    Fruitcake Cookies

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    Each family's fruitcake cookie recipes are different, ours has boozy rum-infused dried fruit, nuts, and spices.

    • Author: This Mess is Ours
    • Prep Time: 25
    • Cook Time: 12
    • Total Time: 37 minutes
    • Yield: 2 dozen 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Baked
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale

    ½ cup boozy dried fruit fruitcake blend, drained well. If not using our premade-soaked fruit see the note section below.

    coconut or olive oil for greasing the baking sheet.

    ½ cup butter softened

    ⅔ cup dark brown sugar tightly packed

    ½ teaspoon baking powder

    ¼ teaspoon baking soda

    ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

    ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt

    2 eggs

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour

    1 cup rolled oats

    ¼ cup slivered almonds

    ¼ cup finely diced, pecans

    ¼ cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds

    Instructions

    Strain the ½ cup boozy dried fruit fruitcake blend by placing it in a mesh strainer over a measuring cup or bowl. Set aside and allow to drain while you make the cookie dough.

    Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking sheet. Set aside.
    In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
    Add the brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Beat on medium speed until combined.

    Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until incorporated.

    In 2 additions add the flour mixture on medium-low speed until just incorporated.
    Add the oats to the mixing bowl and mix on low until just incorporated.
    Add the drained boozy dried fruit fruitcake blend, nuts, and seeds to the mixing bowl and mix on low until the fruit and nuts are spread throughout the cookie dough.
    Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons full onto the prepared baking sheet.
    Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
    Allow the cookies to stand on the baking sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
    These cookies are best enjoyed the day they are baked but will keep tightly covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.

    Notes

    If not using the boozy dried fruit fruitcake blend you will need to soak dried fruit for a bit in alcohol. Here is what you do:

    2 tablespoons diced California prunes

    2 tablespoons raisins

    2 tablespoons diced apricots

    2 tablespoons dried cranberries

    White or spiced rum, bourbon, or brandy to cover the fruit. 

    Combine all of the dried fruit in a small bowl and cover it completely with the alcohol of your choice. 

    Allow the fruit to absorb the liquid for a few hours at least preferably overnight.  Strain and use as directed in the recipe.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 2 cookies
    • Calories: 272
    • Sugar: 11 g
    • Sodium: 125.6 mg
    • Fat: 14.1 g
    • Carbohydrates: 32.4 g
    • Protein: 4.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 51.3 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @thismessisours on Instagram and hashtag it #thismessisours

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    5 Of The Best Fruitcake Cookies Recipes For Your Holiday

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    About Meg

    Individual Strawberry Crisps

    Life can get pretty complicated, especially around dinner time. Whether you’ve got picky eaters, or bonafide allergy concerns, we’ve got some inspiration that’ll get you excited to bring all of those wants, needs and like-to-have’s around your family table. I’ve put together a couple of quick articles and guides to help you get started on your journey, or maybe just to help you get to know us a little better. So dig in and see what we’re all about. Just don’t judge – because we’re a total mess! More About Us

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