Christmas Fruit Drops
Festive and flavorful, these Christmas Fruit Drops combine sweet sugars, rich nuts, and candied fruits for a delightful treat perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine white sugar, brown sugar, shortening, eggs, and vanilla; mix well.
- Gradually add flour, salt, and soda; blend until dough forms.
- Stir in fruit, coconut, and pecans until evenly distributed.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool slightly before transferring to wire racks.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider substituting half of the shortening with unsweetened applesauce to reduce the fat content while keeping moisture. If you're out of pecans, walnuts or almonds can work well too. To enhance the flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the dough. Make sure not to overmix when adding flour to keep the cookies tender.
Serving Suggestions
These Christmas Fruit Drops are delightful on their own but can be paired with a warm cup of spiced tea or coffee for a cozy treat. They also make a wonderful addition to holiday cookie trays alongside other festive delights like Coconut Pecan Chess Pie. For a fun presentation, serve them on a decorative platter with some seasonal fruits.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Christmas Fruit Drops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be reheated in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes to regain their freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Fruit Drops contains roughly 2076 calories, with 17g protein, 148g carbohydrates, and 153g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (68% of the Daily Value), protein (34% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1854mg per serving (81% 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 use fresh fruit instead of candied fruit in this recipe?
While fresh fruit can be used, it has a higher moisture content, which may affect the texture of the cookies. If you choose fresh fruit, it's best to dry it out first or reduce other liquids in the recipe to maintain the right consistency.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make Christmas Fruit Drops gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. This will help ensure that the cookies hold together well and have a similar texture to the original recipe.
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough is too sticky to handle, try chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will firm up the dough and make it easier to scoop onto the baking sheets. You can also sprinkle a little extra flour on your hands while forming 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).