🎉 Introduction
Christmas baking isn’t complete without the bright colors and festive flavors of fruitcake — but what if you could enjoy all that classic charm in a soft, buttery cookie? Enter Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies, a delicious twist on tradition that delivers everything you love about holiday fruitcake in a perfectly chewy, sweet bite.
These cookies are bursting with candied cherries, pineapple, and crunchy pecans, all held together in a tender vanilla-almond cookie dough. They’re buttery, aromatic, and decked out in Christmas colors — making them a beautiful addition to any cookie platter or gift box.
If traditional fruitcake feels like too much effort (or too heavy for your liking), this cookie version gives you all the nostalgia with none of the fuss. They’re quick, easy, and downright irresistible — a festive treat guaranteed to make your holiday season extra sweet. 🎅✨
🧰 Equipment Needed
To make these Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies, you’ll need:
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cooling rack
- Small cookie scoop or spoon
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these bright, fruity, and buttery holiday cookies:
🍒 Fruits & Vegetables
- 1 cup candied red cherries, halved
- 1 cup candied green cherries, halved
- 1 cup candied pineapple, diced
- ¼ teaspoon lemon essence (for a light citrus brightness)
🥚 Fresh Ingredients
- 1 large egg
🧂 Baking Aids & Spices
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
🌰 Nuts & Flavorings
- ½ teaspoon almond essence
- 1 cup chopped pecans
🧈 Dairy
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
👩🍳 Directions
Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch of Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies — soft, chewy, and full of festive color!
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Chop the candied fruits and pecans into small, even pieces.
- Set them aside in a small bowl with a spoonful of flour (from your measured amount) — this helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the dough.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the egg and beat until fully incorporated.
- Mix in vanilla essence, almond essence, and lemon essence for that warm, holiday aroma.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Add the Fruits and Nuts
- Gently fold in the candied cherries, pineapple, and pecans with a spatula.
- The dough will be thick and studded with colorful fruit — a real Christmas delight!
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into small balls.
- Place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Slightly flatten each cookie with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Avoid overbaking — these cookies should stay soft and chewy in the center.
- Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy
Once cooled, your cookies will be beautifully golden, dotted with bright red and green fruit, and filled with buttery, nutty sweetness.
Serve with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea for the perfect holiday treat. 🎄🍪
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Cooling Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
Perfect for holiday cookie swaps, edible gifts, or cozy family baking days.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
To Store:
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
To Freeze:
- Freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags.
- Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months — thaw before serving.
To Refresh:
- Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10 seconds for that just-baked softness.
🥄 Variations
Try these fun twists to customize your Fruitcake Cookies to your liking:
- Chocolate Chip Twist: Add ½ cup white or dark chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- Spiced Fruitcake Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a warm flavor boost.
- Tropical Holiday Cookies: Add shredded coconut and dried mango or papaya for a tropical spin.
- Citrus Lovers: Add a teaspoon of orange or lime zest for a bright, fruity aroma.
- Nut-Free Option: Omit pecans or replace with sunflower seeds for crunch without nuts.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for soft, chewy results.
- Frosted Version: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for extra holiday sparkle.
- Mini Cookies: Make bite-sized cookies for party platters — reduce baking time by 2–3 minutes.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What are fruitcake cookies made of?
They’re buttery cookies filled with candied fruit, nuts, and festive flavors — like a bite-sized fruitcake!
2. Can I use different fruits?
Absolutely! Try dried cranberries, apricots, or raisins if you prefer less sweetness.
3. Do I need to soak the candied fruit?
No — since they’re already soft, just chop and mix them into the dough.
4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Chill the dough for up to 2 days before baking. It enhances the flavor.
5. How do I keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread — it keeps moisture locked in.
6. Can I make these without nuts?
Yes, simply leave them out or substitute with more candied fruit.
7. Can I use fresh fruit instead of candied?
Fresh fruit adds moisture, so it’s not ideal — stick with dried or candied for best texture.
8. Can I double the recipe for gifting?
Definitely! The dough doubles easily and freezes beautifully.
9. What’s the best butter to use?
Unsalted butter gives you control over flavor and saltiness.
10. How long do these cookies last?
They stay soft and flavorful for up to a week — perfect for making ahead during the holidays.
🏁 Conclusion
These Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies bring the joy of classic fruitcake to your kitchen — in a simple, modern, and irresistibly delicious way. With their buttery texture, vibrant candied fruits, and toasty pecans, they’re everything we love about the holidays rolled into one perfect bite.
They’re bright, festive, and bursting with flavor — ideal for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, or simply baking with loved ones on a cozy winter afternoon. Even if you’re not a fan of traditional fruitcake, these cookies will win you over with their soft chewiness and sweet holiday aroma.
So gather your mixing bowls, cue up some Christmas music, and get ready to bake the prettiest, tastiest cookies of the season — Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies are your new holiday must-have!
Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies – Soft, Festive & Full of Holiday Flavor
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Method
- Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch of Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies — soft, chewy, and full of festive color!
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Chop the candied fruits and pecans into small, even pieces.
- Set them aside in a small bowl with a spoonful of flour (from your measured amount) — this helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the dough.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the egg and beat until fully incorporated.
- Mix in vanilla essence, almond essence, and lemon essence for that warm, holiday aroma.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Gently fold in the candied cherries, pineapple, and pecans with a spatula.
- The dough will be thick and studded with colorful fruit — a real Christmas delight!
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into small balls.
- Place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Slightly flatten each cookie with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Avoid overbaking — these cookies should stay soft and chewy in the center.
- Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish.
- Once cooled, your cookies will be beautifully golden, dotted with bright red and green fruit, and filled with buttery, nutty sweetness.
- Serve with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea for the perfect holiday treat. 🎄🍪
Notes
They’re buttery cookies filled with candied fruit, nuts, and festive flavors — like a bite-sized fruitcake! 2. Can I use different fruits?
Absolutely! Try dried cranberries, apricots, or raisins if you prefer less sweetness. 3. Do I need to soak the candied fruit?
No — since they’re already soft, just chop and mix them into the dough. 4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Chill the dough for up to 2 days before baking. It enhances the flavor. 5. How do I keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread — it keeps moisture locked in. 6. Can I make these without nuts?
Yes, simply leave them out or substitute with more candied fruit. 7. Can I use fresh fruit instead of candied?
Fresh fruit adds moisture, so it’s not ideal — stick with dried or candied for best texture. 8. Can I double the recipe for gifting?
Definitely! The dough doubles easily and freezes beautifully. 9. What’s the best butter to use?
Unsalted butter gives you control over flavor and saltiness. 10. How long do these cookies last?
They stay soft and flavorful for up to a week — perfect for making ahead during the holidays. 🏁 Conclusion These Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies bring the joy of classic fruitcake to your kitchen — in a simple, modern, and irresistibly delicious way. With their buttery texture, vibrant candied fruits, and toasty pecans, they’re everything we love about the holidays rolled into one perfect bite. They’re bright, festive, and bursting with flavor — ideal for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, or simply baking with loved ones on a cozy winter afternoon. Even if you’re not a fan of traditional fruitcake, these cookies will win you over with their soft chewiness and sweet holiday aroma. So gather your mixing bowls, cue up some Christmas music, and get ready to bake the prettiest, tastiest cookies of the season — Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies are your new holiday must-have!
