Best 2 Better Than Fruitcake Cookies Recipes

Craving a sweet and festive treat but tired of the same old fruitcake? Look no further than these Better-Than-Fruitcake Cookies! These bite-sized delights offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you wanting more. With their chewy oat base, tangy cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of warm spices, these cookies are the perfect holiday treat to share with family and friends.

This article features two irresistible recipes for Better-Than-Fruitcake Cookies: a classic version and a gluten-free variation. Both recipes use wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, almond flour, and coconut oil to create a healthier alternative to traditional fruitcake. The classic recipe includes dried cranberries, walnuts, and a touch of maple syrup for a sweet and satisfying bite. The gluten-free version uses oat flour and dried cherries for a delightful twist on the classic.

Whether you prefer the chewy texture of the classic cookies or the gluten-free goodness of the alternative version, these Better-Than-Fruitcake Cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a baking journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!

Let's cook with our recipes!

BETTER-THAN-FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Better-Than-Fruitcake Cookies image

Mostly fruit and nuts, these sweet and chewy clusters make excellent gifts, freeze well, can be shipped easily, and most importantly, live up to their name. -Lillian Charves, New Bern, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 30m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 cups raisins
1/4 cup bourbon or unsweetened apple juice
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup pecan halves
3/4 cup red candied cherries, halved
3/4 cup green candied cherries, halved

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine raisins and bourbon. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes., In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until blended. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in the pecans, cherries and raisin mixture., Drop by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 12-15 minutes or until firm. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 40mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

BETTER THAN FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Better Than Fruitcake Cookies image

This recipe makes over 12 dozen small cookies... a great substitution for holiday fruitcake . You can substitute rum-soaked dried apricots and dates instead of glacee'd cherries and figs for an equally tasty cookie.

Provided by Frieda

Categories Desserts Cookies Refrigerator Cookie Recipes

Yield 72

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 cups chopped dried figs
⅔ cup raisins
⅔ cup candied cherries, chopped
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pinch salt
2 ½ cups chopped walnuts
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup super fine sugar
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine fruits, honey, sherry, lemon juice, salt and walnuts. Cover and marinate overnight.
Cream together with butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Add egg and mix well. Combine the flour, salt and cloves; gradually blend into the butter mixture. Blend in the fruit and nut mixture
Lightly flour work surface and divide dough into 2 equal portions. Roll into logs and wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Place dough in freezer for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cut logs into thin rounds and place on cookie sheet spaced at least 1 inch apart.
Bake 10 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 106.7 calories, Carbohydrate 14.3 g, Cholesterol 9.4 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 14.4 mg, Sugar 8.7 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your cookies.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies lighter and more tender.
Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing can make the cookies tough.
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Bake the cookies at a moderate temperature. This will help to prevent them from burning.
Let the cookies cool completely before frosting them. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

These Better-Than-Fruitcake Cookies are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. So next time you're looking for a sweet and satisfying snack, give these cookies a try!