German Fruit Cookies
German Fruit Cookies are rich, spiced treats packed with dried fruits, nuts, and aromatic spices, perfect for festive occasions or cozy gatherings with a delightful glaze.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup seedless raisins ⓘ
- 3/4 cup prunes ⓘ
- 1/2 cup candied cherries ⓘ
- 1/2 cup walnuts ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup butter ⓘ
- 1/2 cup coffee ⓘ
- 1/2 cup molasses ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon anise seed ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
Instructions
- Grind the raisins, prunes, candied cherries, and walnuts together.
- Combine sugar, butter, coffee, and molasses in a 3-quart saucepan.
- Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
- Allow the mixture to cool.
- Blend in the flour and fruit mixture.
- Chill the dough for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls with well-floured hands.
- Place the balls on greased cookie sheets.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Dip the warm cookies in warm glaze.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract or a bit of orange zest to the dough. If you don't have anise seeds, caraway seeds can be a delightful substitute. Be sure to chill the dough as it helps with the shaping process and improves the texture of the cookies. If you're interested in exploring more unique flavor combinations, try pairing these cookies with the flavors in a German Cheese Ball.
Serving Suggestions
These German Fruit Cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat with afternoon tea. They pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or a warm spiced cider. For a festive touch, serve them alongside other holiday favorites like Chocolate Easter Nests or Gingerbread House Construction for a delightful dessert platter.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the baked cookies for up to three months. To reheat, simply place them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes to restore their freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of German Fruit Cookies contains roughly 1053 calories, with 14g protein, 127g carbohydrates, and 60g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (87% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (49% of the Daily Value), and calcium (36% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2089mg per serving (91% 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 other types of dried fruit in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute the raisins or prunes with dried apricots, figs, or dates. Just make sure to chop them into similar-sized pieces to maintain the texture of the cookies.
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough feels sticky, add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a manageable consistency. Chilling the dough longer can also help make it easier to handle.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure to check that the other ingredients, especially the baking soda, are gluten-free as well.
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).