Christmas Cookies (Fruit)
Festive and rich fruit cookies with nuts and candied pineapple, ideal for holiday celebrations and gifting, offering a balanced blend of spices, sweetness, and chewy textures.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 sticks oleo
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons hot water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon soda ⓘ
- 3 cups plain flour ⓘ
- 1 pinch salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1/2 pound walnuts ⓘ
- 1/2 pound pecans ⓘ
- 1/2 pound dates ⓘ
- 1/2 pound red cherries ⓘ
- 1/2 pound green cherries ⓘ
- 2 pounds candied pineapple
- 1 box light raisins ⓘ
Instructions
- Blend oleo, light brown sugar, and eggs together until smooth.
- Add 2 tablespoons of hot water to the mixture and mix well.
- Sift together the dry ingredients: soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing thoroughly.
- Chop walnuts, pecans, dates, red cherries, green cherries, and candied pineapple into small pieces.
- Fold the chopped nuts and fruits into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Drop spoonfuls of the batter onto a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown, approximately 12-15 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using unsalted butter instead of oleo; it will enhance the flavor. You can also substitute dried cranberries for the red cherries or use mixed nuts instead of walnuts and pecans if you prefer. Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for better mixing. If you want to reduce the sweetness, cut back on the candied pineapple slightly.
Serving Suggestions
These Christmas cookies are delightful on their own but pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea. For a festive presentation, arrange them on a decorative platter alongside other holiday treats, such as Kolacky (Czechoslovakia), to create a charming dessert spread. They also make excellent gifts when packaged in decorative tins.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. To enjoy them again, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Cookies (Fruit) contains roughly 1935 calories, with 29g protein, 270g carbohydrates, and 89g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (58% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (55% of the Daily Value), and iron (55% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2428mg per serving (106% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for proper texture. The baking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overbake.
How can I make these cookies chewier?
To achieve chewier cookies, you can try adding an extra egg yolk or substituting some of the granulated sugar with brown sugar. This will enhance the moisture content, resulting in a softer, chewier texture.
What can I use if I don’t have candied pineapple?
If you don't have candied pineapple, you can use dried pineapple or even chopped dried apricots as a substitute. This will maintain the fruity flavor while adding a different twist to the cookies.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).