If you’ve ever dreamed of combining the rich, comforting flavors of a classic fruitcake with the joyful ease of a cookie, your dreams have come true! This Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe is a delightful twist that takes everything you love about fruitcake—candied fruit, nuts, warm spices—and transforms those traditional tastes into irresistibly chewy, buttery cookies. Perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a cozy treat, these cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and nutty with a texture that’s satisfyingly soft and chewy. They beckon you to savor each bite slowly, making every moment feel special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe lies in its straightforward, wholesome ingredients that blend beautifully to create complexity in every bite. Each element plays a vital role, whether it’s the butter providing richness and chewiness or the cinnamon and nutmeg infusing warmth and depth of flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The foundation for that tender, chewy texture and rich flavor.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness and helps with a lightly crisp edge.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Contributes moisture and gives the cookies a comforting caramel undertone.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add to the softness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A subtle flavor enhancer that complements the spices and fruit.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure so the cookies hold their shape while remaining chewy.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and tenderize.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and deepens the overall flavor.
- 1 cup chopped candied fruit: The classic fruitcake star ingredient, bursting with colorful sweetness.
- 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts): Adds a delightful crunch and earthy note.
- 1 cup raisins: For little pockets of chewy, natural sweetness throughout.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Introduces warm, cozy spice that ties everything together.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle nutty spice that elevates the flavor profile.
How to Make Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and come off cleanly without any sticking. This simple step sets the stage for perfectly baked treats.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This crucial step aerates the fats and sugars, providing the ideal texture and helping the cookies bake up with a wonderful chewiness.
Step 3: Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully mixed in before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract. This gradual blending ensures a smooth, cohesive batter with enhanced flavor depth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This mixture helps ensure even distribution of rising agents and seasoning in the dough, preventing any unwanted clumps of baking soda or salt in your cookies.
Step 5: Blend Dry Ingredients Into Wet
Gradually add your flour mixture into the creamed butter and sugar bowl, mixing gently but thoroughly to create a soft dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so aim for a well-incorporated, balanced dough.
Step 6: Fold in the Fruit and Nuts
Now comes the exciting part: folding in the chopped candied fruit, nuts, raisins, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This colorful and flavorful medley is the heart of your Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe, providing bursts of sweetness and spice that make these cookies so special.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Use a rounded tablespoon to drop dough dollops onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn a soft golden brown. This timing locks in that perfect chewy center while giving you just enough crisp on the edges.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. This helps them firm up without losing their tender chewiness, making every bite simply irresistible.
How to Serve Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra dash of charm and flavor, sprinkle a little finely chopped candied fruit or a dusting of powdered sugar over your cookies before serving. Adding a tiny drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate can also turn these cookies into festive delights that look as amazing as they taste.
Side Dishes
Pair these chewy fruitcake cookies with a steaming cup of spiced tea, rich coffee, or creamy hot chocolate. Their sweet, spiced fruit and nut profile harmonizes beautifully with warm beverages, elevating every moment of indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a rustic wooden board alongside clusters of nuts and dried fruits for an inviting snack platter. You can also layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a decorative tin for gifting. Whatever way you choose, these cookies bring festive cheer and warmth.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They maintain their chewy texture for up to a week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy days or unexpected guests.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies by layering them between sheets of parchment in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen cookies will keep for up to three months and can be thawed at room temperature whenever you’re ready to enjoy that sweet, chewy goodness.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, especially after freezing, warm them gently in a low oven (around 300°F / 150°C) for just a few minutes or microwave briefly for about 15 seconds. This brings back that freshly-baked warmth and soft texture you love.
FAQs
Can I substitute the candied fruit with dried fruit?
Absolutely! Dried fruit like cranberries, chopped apricots, or cherries works wonderfully if you prefer a less sweet, slightly chewier bite. Just make sure to chop them finely so they incorporate evenly.
What type of nuts work best in this recipe?
Pecans and walnuts are fantastic because they have rich, buttery flavors and crunch that complements the soft cookie. However, feel free to experiment with almonds or hazelnuts if you want a slightly different texture or taste.
How do I make these cookies more festive?
Adding a splash of rum or brandy to the dough or soaking the candied fruit beforehand can give these cookies an extra holiday flair. Also, festive sprinkles or a drizzle of colored icing can enhance their presentation for special occasions.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Chilling the dough can even intensify the flavors and help prevent spreading during baking, resulting in thicker cookies.
What makes these cookies chewy instead of cakey or crunchy?
It’s the combination of creamed butter and sugars, the right ratio of flour to fat, and the inclusion of moist ingredients like brown sugar and fruit that all work together to create that satisfying chewy texture you crave in these fruitcake cookies.
Final Thoughts
If you want to impress friends and family or simply indulge yourself, this Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe is a must-try. It captures the spirit of holiday baking with a fresh twist, offering warm spices, sweet fruit, and nutty crunch in every bite. So roll up your sleeves, gather these simple but flavorful ingredients, and start baking – your new favorite cookie is waiting!
Print
Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Decadent Chewy Fruitcake Cookies combine the rich flavors of traditional fruitcake with the familiar comfort of a chewy cookie. Loaded with candied fruit, nuts, and raisins, and scented with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these cookies offer a festive treat perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a deliciously soft, flavorful cookie.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped candied fruit
- 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate them fully, then stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices before adding them to the wet ingredients.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually blend the dry ingredient mixture into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: Stir in the chopped candied fruit, chopped nuts, and raisins until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough, giving each cookie bursts of texture and flavor.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned indicating they are cooked through but still chewy inside.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes to set before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, ensuring they firm up to a chewy consistency without becoming hard.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture.
- You can substitute nuts with your preferred variety or omit for nut allergies.
- For a more intense fruit flavor, soak the raisins and candied fruit in warm rum or orange juice for 30 minutes before adding.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to avoid sticking and for easier cleanup.
- Do not overbake; cookies will continue to set as they cool.
