Fruitcake Cookies offer a delightful, modern twist on the classic holiday fruitcake. These chewy sugar cookies are generously studded with an irresistible medley of candied fruits, plump raisins, and crunchy toasted pecans, delivering all the festive flavors without the traditional density. Crowned with a luxurious brandy cream cheese frosting, these exquisite treats are simply irresistible and guaranteed to become a new holiday favorite!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
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Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Assembling Time
15 minutes
Total Time
56 minutes
Servings
36 Cookies
Difficulty
Intermediate, with a rich mix-in dough and a simple frosting finish.
Calories *
165 kcal per serving
Technique
Bake chewy fruit-studded cookies, then top with a smooth brandy cream cheese frosting.
Flavor Profile
Sweet and chewy cookies packed with candied fruit and toasted pecans, balanced by tangy cream cheese frosting with a warm brandy note.
* Based on nutrition panel
I made these because my aunt always brings fruitcake and I wanted a version people could actually pick up and eat. […] I brought them to a family Christmas dinner and even the fruitcake skeptics tried one. Thank you for a holiday that didn’t turn into a debate! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lauren
A Festive Return to Baking Joy: Day 11 of Christmas Cookies!
Welcome back, baking enthusiasts! We’re thrilled to present Day 11 of our “12 Days of Christmas Cookies” series. There’s been a slight pause in our festive baking adventures, mostly due to Mother Nature’s unpredictable whims. As any food blogger knows, getting that perfect natural light for your adorable cookie creations can sometimes feel like an impossible mission!
The anticipation has been almost unbearable as I’ve eagerly waited to share these wonderfully unique and utterly delicious treats with you. For days, these fruitcake cookies have been calling out, begging to be unveiled!
Reimagining a Classic: The Magic of Fruitcake Cookies
Forget everything you thought you knew about fruitcake. These soft, chewy fruitcake cookies capture all the rich, complex flavors of their traditional cake cousins but without the common pitfalls of being dry or requiring months of soaking in brandy. We’ve distilled the very essence of a holiday classic into a delightful, handheld form that everyone will adore.
Each bite of these festive cookies is a symphony of textures and tastes. You’ll encounter the vibrant sweetness of candied fruit, the satisfying crunch of perfectly toasted pecans, and the tender embrace of a sweet, chewy sugar cookie base. But what truly elevates these cookies to extraordinary status is the generous dollop of our signature Brandy Cream Cheese Frosting. Because, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t truly be fruitcake-inspired without that hint of spirited warmth, would it?
Absolutely not! The brandy adds a depth of flavor that complements the fruit and nuts beautifully, making these cookies truly unforgettable.
The Perfect Harmony: Brandy Cream Cheese Frosting
The velvety, smooth, and slightly tangy brandy cream cheese frosting is the pièce de résistance that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cookies. Its rich consistency and subtle hint of brandy round out the complex flavors, creating an indulgence that’s both comforting and sophisticated. This frosting transforms each cookie into a miniature masterpiece, making them utterly irresistible.
You can rest assured, these won’t be the cookies discreetly re-gifted after the holiday season. That’s a promise! These fruitcake cookies are quick to prepare, incredibly soft, and infused with just the right amount of grown-up tang from the frosting, all while evoking a wonderful sense of nostalgic holiday cheer. They truly embody the spirit of festive baking.
A Story of Inspiration: Aunt Nana’s Influence on Our Holiday Baking
Every truly great cookie has a story, and these delightful fruitcake cookies are no exception. Did you really think you’d visit today without a heartwarming tale? You know me better than that!
The journey to these fruitcake cookies began shortly after Thanksgiving. My original plan was to bake Nana’s famous fruitcake, alongside her beloved Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. However, a wonderful twist of fate occurred when a friend of Nana’s, hearing of my fruitcake ambitions, sent her a recipe for these intriguing fruitcake cookies. Fruitcake cookies! It was a revelation! How had I not thought of such a brilliant concept before?
It turns out that the traditionally ubiquitous red and green candied cherries are a bit of a rarity in New York City. Ever the thoughtful matriarch, Nana graciously mailed me a care package containing all the essential ingredients I would need for her classic fruitcake recipe. I wisely reserved half of these precious candied fruits for the fruitcake itself (which I know you’re eagerly anticipating!) and dedicated the other half to these cookies. It was, without a doubt, a decision I’m incredibly glad I made.
Upon reviewing the recipes, I discovered a striking similarity between the ingredients for these cookies and my grandmother’s iconic fruitcake. To further bridge the gap between the two, I incorporated one key ingredient that was present in Nana’s cake but not initially in the cookie recipe: golden raisins. My reasoning was simple: if they add a wonderful sweetness and chewiness to the cake, they would surely enhance the cookies too. And I was right once again!
Another personal touch I added was toasting the pecans before chopping and folding them into the cookie batter. I have an absolute passion for toasted pecans! There’s a truly magical transformation that happens to their flavor when they’re gently warmed in the oven. Toasting not only intensifies their nutty aroma but also provides a delightful, subtle crunch, adding another layer of complexity to these cookies. While I adore the brandy cream cheese frosting, you could also opt for a classic cream cheese frosting for cookies if you prefer a non-alcoholic version or a different flavor profile.
These cookies aren’t just a recipe; they’re a testament to holiday traditions, family recipes, and the joy of sharing delicious food with loved ones. They’re designed to delight both fruitcake aficionados and skeptics alike, bringing a harmonious close to any holiday debate!
More Festive Favorites: Recommended Christmas Posts
Recipe Roundups
24 Best Christmas Cookies
Cake Recipes
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Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe
Homemade Gift Ideas
Great Gifts for Home Cooks
If you tried this recipe and loved it, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you; your comments make my day!
Fruitcake Cookies with Brandy Cream Cheese Frosting
Chef Lindsey
30 mins
30 mins
15 mins
56 mins
36 Cookies
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Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup candied red cherries
- ½ cup candied green cherries
- 1 cup dried pineapple pieces chopped
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- 2 cups pecans toasted, roughly chopped
For the Brandy Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ¼ cup brandy
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese not low fat, not whipped
- 1¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ half and half or more as needed
Instructions
For the Cookies:
- Pre-heat oven to 300°F (150°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (Silpat).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie texture. (If using a hand mixer, be prepared for it to take a bit longer and require more arm strength!)
- Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Continue beating until the batter appears nicely aerated and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice, beating briefly to combine.
- Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Gently fold in the toasted pecans and dried fruits. If you’re using a hand mixer, switch to a sturdy wooden spoon for this final step to avoid overworking the dough.
- Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or two spoons, drop mounds of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart. These cookies do not spread much during baking.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the bottom edges of the cookies turn a delicate golden brown and you no longer see any raw, shiny dough through the cracks on the tops. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Brandy Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the light brown sugar in the brandy. Stir until the sugar is completely melted.
- In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, the brandy/sugar mixture, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until the frosting is light, smooth, and fluffy. Gradually add the half and half, a little at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. The half and half also helps to mellow out the strong brandy flavor, creating a more balanced taste.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, use a small offset spatula or a butter knife to spread a dollop of the brandy cream cheese frosting on each cookie. For an extra festive touch, top with additional candied cherries, chopped pecans, or both!
- After frosting, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. For the best flavor and texture, allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Since these cookies are quite sweet, you could opt to top them with finely chopped, toasted pecans instead of candied cherries for a slightly less sweet profile and an earthy crunch. I simply enjoy the vibrant pop of color that the candied cherries provide for a true festive look!
Nutrition
Calories:
165kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
22g
|
Protein:
2g
|
Fat:
8g
|
Saturated Fat:
3g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
3g
|
Trans Fat:
1g
|
Cholesterol:
19mg
|
Sodium:
40mg
|
Potassium:
49mg
|
Fiber:
1g
|
Sugar:
16g
|
Vitamin A:
140IU
|
Vitamin C:
1mg
|
Calcium:
16mg
|
Iron:
1mg
Dessert
American
165
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