Easy & Healthy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies
These Easy & Healthy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies are the perfect festive treat for the holidays! Packed with colorful candied fruits and crunchy pecans, these cookies are simple to make and ideal for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped red candied cherries (about 1/4-inch pieces)
- 1 cup chopped candied pineapple
- 1 cup chopped green candied cherries
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted for enhanced flavor)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/4 tsp lemon extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Get Ready to Bake: Start by preheating your oven to a gentle 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to make cleanup super easy.
- Cream the Goodness: In a mixing bowl, blend the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is wonderfully light and fluffy. Next, beat in the egg, vanilla, almond, and lemon extracts until everything is smoothly combined.
- Whisk and Combine Dry Mix: In a separate bowl, quickly whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together and all the flour is incorporated. Remember, don't overmix to keep your cookies tender!
- Fold in Festive Flavors: Gently fold in the colorful chopped candied fruits and the crunchy toasted pecans. Make sure they're evenly distributed throughout the dough so every cookie is packed with flavor and texture.
- Shape & Bake: Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 to 4 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn a lovely golden brown. The centers might still look a bit soft, but they'll firm up perfectly as they cool.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days – their flavors actually deepen and get even better! For longer storage, you can refrigerate or freeze them.
Notes
Nutrition Information (per cookie): Calories: ~112 kcal, Total Carbohydrates: ~14.2g, Fats: ~7g, Protein: ~1.1g. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or refrigerate/freeze for longer storage. These cookies are perfect for your holiday celebrations! #ChristmasCookies #HealthyHolidayTreats #EasyBaking #FruitcakeMagic
