Christmas Fruit Cookies

{Guest Post} – Christmas Fruit Cookies by Nandita of ‘PAAKA-SHAALE’

Christmas Fruit Cookies – aren’t these beauty? Who can resist these melt in mouth, dried fruits loaded cookies by Nandita of ‘Paaka-Shaale‘. These make the best homemade food gifts for Christmas and New Years.

About Nandita,

Nandita is one gem virtual friend I came across through blogging. When I asked her to do a guest post for my event ‘Christmas and New Year Bakes‘, she happily agreed. Nandita’s blog Pakka Shaale is loaded with beautiful pictures and yummylicious recipes. Thank you Nandita for being part of this event and bringing these awesome Christmas Fruit Cookies.

Nandita of Paaka-Shaale says,

First of all I wish to thank Lubna for having me on her beautiful space. Kitchen flavors was one of those blogs that I “grew up” following and emulating. So you can imagine delight when Lubna asked me to do a guest post for her.

Lubna is one of those people who needs no introduction. She is the face behind the awesome blog called Kitchen Flavors. She is an amazing cook and whips up some mouth watering dishes. Lubna is also an extremely talented photographer. Her photographs often take by breath away. She is a very passionate blogger and a very generous friend. Once, when I was facing an issue with my blog, Lubna helped me out. Although we have never met, I did get a chance to speak to her a couple of times. There is something about Lubna, that we have been friends ever since.

So when she asked me to do a guest post for her, I was filled with a wild enthusiasm. I knew I had to bake something special for her. With a spring in my step, I decided to bake these delicious Christmas fruit cookies for her. These cookies are inspired by Ina Garten’s Fruit Cake Cookies. But I have made so many changes to the recipe that I am not even sure if there is any ingredient that remains unchanged.

These fruit cookies are made using all the ingredients that are used in making traditional fruit cake. It has a whole lot of dried fruits, mixed peel and nuts. It also has the richness of butter and the goodness of the spices. In short, these cookies are packed with all the “awesomeness” of a fruit cake. So if you are one of those people who hates fruit cake. Or for some reason you are not able to bake one, then cookies are just for you. You can enjoy the holiday flavor with a crisp and chewy texture. Try making these cookies this year. This is surely an enticing treat!!

Course: Dessert Cuisine: Continental Yields: 36 Pieces Calories: 102 Cal 

Prep Time: 30 Minutes Inactive Time: 10-12 Hours Baking Time: 20 Minutes 

INGREDIENTS:

• 350 g of mixed dried fruits (I used a mixture of dark raisins, dates, golden raisins)
• 4 tbsp. Candied cherries
• 4 tbsp. Mix peel
• 1 tbsp. Orange marmalade
• 2 tbsp. strong brewed Tea
• 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed Lemon juice
• 8 tbsp. of chopped Nuts (I used almonds and cashews)
• Salt- a pinch
• ½ a pound of unsalted Butter at room temperature
• 1/2 a tsp. of Chai masala
• ½ a cup of Icing sugar
• 1/3 cup of Brown sugar
• 2-1/3 cups of All purpose flour
• 1/3 cup of Corn starch

How to make Christmas Fruit Cookies

PREPARATION:

• In a large bowl, combine the dates, dark raisins, golden raisins, candied cherries and peel and mix well. Add the tea, marmalade, salt and lemon juice and  mix well. Cover the bowl with a cling film and allow the mixture to stand at room temperature for 6-8 hrs or overnight.
• Combine the butter, Icing sugar, Brown sugar and Chai masala in another bowl and whisk till light and fluffy. Slowly add the flour, corn starch, marinated fruits (along with any liquid that is left over) and the chopped nuts and mix well to form a dough.
• Divide the dough into two halves and roll each half into a long log. Wrap the logs in parchment paper or aluminum foil and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hrs.
• Cut the chilled dough into quarter inch slices with a sharp knife. Place the slices 1/2 inch apart, on a greased, parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 160 C for 15-20 mins or until slightly golden brown.

• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Store these cookies in air-tight container and these stay fresh for 12-14 days.