Spiced Raisin Chews
Spiced Raisin Chews are flavorful, chewy cookies packed with raisins, almonds, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, perfect for a comforting treat or festive occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and black pepper until blended.
- Finely chop raisins, slivered almonds, and chopped apple.
- Add the chopped raisins, almonds, and apple to the flour mixture and mix well with hands.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar until thick and pale.
- Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix well.
- Chill the dough for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease cookie sheets.
- Form the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Place the balls 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Let cool on the sheet for 1 minute before removing.
Tips & Substitutions
For a unique twist, consider substituting walnuts or pecans for the slivered almonds. If you prefer a less spicy flavor, reduce the ground cloves and black pepper. Ensure that you chop the raisins finely to distribute their sweetness evenly throughout the dough. Chilling the dough is essential for better shaping and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delightful chews with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a perfect afternoon snack. They also pair nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet dessert. For a more substantial treat, consider serving them alongside the Microwave Divine Divinity for a delightful dessert spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Spiced Raisin Chews 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-safe bag. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back their soft texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spiced Raisin Chews contains roughly 1175 calories, with 32g protein, 152g carbohydrates, and 67g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (168% of the Daily Value), iron (87% of the Daily Value), and calcium (87% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2432mg 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 use different types of flour in this recipe?
Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blends. However, keep in mind that this may alter the texture and flavor of the cookies slightly. If using whole wheat flour, consider adding a bit more moisture to the dough, as whole wheat can absorb more liquid.
What can I substitute for eggs in this recipe?
If you need an egg substitute, use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water, let sit until thickened) for each egg. This will help bind the ingredients together while keeping the cookies moist.
How can I make these cookies less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness of the Spiced Raisin Chews, you can cut back on the brown sugar by about 1/4 cup. Additionally, using unsweetened applesauce instead of some of the sugar can help maintain moisture without adding extra sweetness.
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).