Fruit And Nut Cookies
Delicious fruit and nut cookies combine dried apricots, candied fruits, and walnuts for a sweet, chewy treat perfect for snacking or sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, diced ⓘ
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 2/3 cup butter ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon orange rind ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon lemon rind ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 1 cup mixed candied fruit ⓘ
- 2/3 cup walnuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine apricots and boiling water, let sit for 10 minutes, then drain well.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Beat butter, sugar, orange and lemon rinds, eggs, and lemon juice until fluffy.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the butter mixture and sour cream.
- Fold in the drained apricots, candied fruits, and walnuts.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a greased cookie sheet, spacing 1 1/2 inches apart.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Fruit And Nut Cookies, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients. If you don't have walnuts, pecans or almonds can be great substitutes. You can also use other dried fruits like cranberries or raisins in place of apricots for a different twist. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are delightful on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, serve them alongside Chocolate Angel Delight for dessert. You can also offer a side of fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement the rich flavors of the cookies.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag. To reheat, simply pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warm and slightly crisp.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fruit And Nut Cookies contains roughly 146 calories, with 2g protein, 13g carbohydrates, and 10g fat.
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 all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures 1:1. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly, so keep an eye on the dough consistency.
How can I make these cookies less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, you can cut back on the sugar by about 1/4 cup. Additionally, using unsweetened dried fruits or reducing the amount of candied fruit can help achieve a more balanced flavor.
Can I add chocolate to these cookies?
Absolutely! You can fold in chocolate chips or chunks with the dried fruits and nuts for a delicious chocolatey twist. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate would complement the flavors well, creating a delightful combination.
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).