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Stack of three easy Christmas Fruit Cake Cookies on a cooling rack, showcasing the rich colors of candied red and green cherries, golden raisins, and pecans dusted with powdered sugar.

Easy Christmas Fruit Cake Cookies

Soft, chewy, and packed with festive candied fruit, these Christmas Fruit Cake Cookies deliver all the holiday flavor without the hassle of a traditional fruitcake!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings: 20 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup mixed candied fruit
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans chopped
  • 1/4 cup orange juice natural replacement for rum

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  4. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a separate bowl.
  5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
  6. Fold in candied fruit, raisins, nuts, and orange juice until thick and evenly blended.
  7. Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
  9. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For even more holiday flavor, add a pinch of clove or swap orange juice for apple juice.