Name: Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 ⅓ cups (8 oz/225 g) candied fruit, finely diced; ½ cup (2 ½ oz/71 g) almonds, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon dry sherry; 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) butter, at room temperature; 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature; 1 ¼ cups (6 ¼ oz/177 g) all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon mixed spice; ⅛ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) granulated sugar; ¼ cup (1 ½ oz/43 g) dark brown sugar; ½ teaspoon lemon zest

There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about my Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe. Imagine buttery shortbread dough packed with bits of candied fruit and nuts—that’s a cookie that brings holiday cheer right to your kitchen. Trust me, these little bites are perfect for sharing or gifting all season long.

Three round cookies with red fruit pieces and light brown nuts are stacked on a white cloth with

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t help but smile every time I make these Festive Fruitcake Cookies. They’re a wonderful twist on classic fruitcake flavors but in a crunchy, buttery, totally snackable cookie form. They’re an absolute hit around my family gatherings and the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to whip up.

Rich, Buttery Texture: The shortbread base melts in your mouth, making these cookies irresistible.
Festive Flavor Boost: Candied fruit, almonds, and a splash of sherry add layers of holiday cheer.
Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: These cookies keep well, so you can bake them early and relax later.
Great for Gifting: Their colorful specks and classic taste make them an instant gift favorite.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe brings together simple, classic ingredients that blend perfectly to create a festive cookie that’s both tender and flavorful. Choosing quality candied fruits and fresh nuts really amps up the taste, and the little splash of sherry adds warmth and depth.

Flat lay of a small pile of finely diced colorful candied fruit, a small heap of chopped almonds, a small white ceramic bowl of clear dry sherry, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl with bright yellow lemon zest, a small pinch of salt crystals, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small pinch of mixed spice powder, a small pinch of salt, a quarter block of creamy butter at room temperature, two small heaps of granulated sugar and dark brown sugar side by side, one large whole egg with a clean shell placed near the center, all arranged symmetrically in perfectly balanced proportions on simple white ceramic bowls and dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Candied Fruit: Finely diced so every bite has a burst of sweet, chewy holiday flavor without overpowering the cookie.
Almonds: Chopped to add a satisfying crunchy texture and subtle nuttiness.
Dry Sherry: Just a tablespoon enhances the fruit flavors and lends a subtle sophistication.
Lemon Juice & Zest: These brighten the cookie, balancing richness and fruit sweetness with a hint of citrus.
All-Purpose Flour: The base that gives these cookies structure—make sure it’s fresh for best results.
Mixed Spice: Adds a gentle warmth and festive touch to the dough.
Butter: The star of the show in this shortbread-style cookie; using room temperature butter helps with a smooth, creamy dough.
Granulated & Dark Brown Sugar: Together, they sweeten the cookie with a layered flavor—brown sugar adds a subtle molasses note.
Egg Yolk: Enriches the dough and helps bind everything together for a tender crumb.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion and pantry ingredients. Feel free to swap fruits or nuts or add your own spices to make these your very own holiday classic.

Variation: One year, I swapped the almonds for pecans and added a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The warm spice combo was a cozy winner, perfect for chilly nights.
Dietary Change: If you need gluten-free, a trusted gluten-free flour blend works beautifully here without sacrificing texture.
Alcohol-Free Version: Just omit the sherry and replace it with an equal amount of apple juice or orange juice for a family-friendly version.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe

Inside a shiny metal mixing bowl attached to a bright red mixer base, there is a thick, crumbly dough with small red bits mixed throughout. The dough is light beige with a slightly rough texture and is clinging in clumps to a white flat beater that is lifted above the dough inside the bowl. The scene is set on a white marbled surface, with the dough looking dense and chunky with noticeable red pieces spread unevenly through it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preparing the Fruit and Nuts

First thing I do is finely dice the candied fruit and chop the almonds. This small detail ensures even distribution and a perfect bite every time. Then I toss them with the dry sherry, lemon juice, and a little lemon zest — this step brightens the fruit and softens those sugary chunks just enough.

Step 2: Mixing the Dough

Next up, I whisk together the flour, mixed spice, salt, and a pinch more lemon zest. Separately, I cream the room temperature butter with both sugars until it’s pale and fluffy—this takes a few minutes and makes the cookies delightfully tender. Adding the egg yolk last brings the dough together smoothly.

Step 3: Bringing It All Together

Gently fold in the spiced flour mix, then stir in the soaked fruit and nuts. I find using a wooden spoon works best here to avoid crushing those beautiful fruit pieces. The dough will be soft but firm enough to scoop.

Step 4: Baking to Golden Perfection

I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets—then scoop tablespoon-sized mounds spaced well apart. They don’t spread too much, which I love, so you get thick, tender cookies. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers stay soft. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack.

Top Tip

After making this Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe dozens of times, a few tricks have always helped me nail that perfect texture and flavor.

Use Room Temperature Butter: It creams better with sugar, helping your cookies stay tender, not tough.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix just enough to combine—overworking makes cookies dense.
Soak the Fruit: The lemon juice and sherry soaking step really lifts the flavor and softens the fruit for a better bite.
Watch the Oven Closely: Your cookies should be a light golden edge with soft centers for the best texture; they firm up as they cool.

How to Serve Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe

Festive Fruitcake Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often dust the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar to give them a snowy, festive look. Sometimes a drizzle of white chocolate adds a nice sweet touch and a bit of visual flair on cookie trays.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cozy cup of spiced tea, mulled wine, or even a glass of milk for the kids. For a holiday party, I like putting them next to cheese and charcuterie boards—the sweet and buttery cookies complement savory bites really well.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these cookies in a wreath shape on a large platter, decorating the circle with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries. It was such a festive centerpiece and made it extra special to share with friends. Wrapping stacks of cookies in parchment paper tied with twine also makes for an easy, charming gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and buttery for up to a week, but honestly, I’ve rarely had leftovers that last that long because they’re so good fresh!

Freezing

If I’m making these ahead for a big event, I freeze the baked, cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag. Frozen, they’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months and thaw in minutes at room temperature.

Reheating

Reheating frozen or stored cookies is simple—just pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to refresh that just-baked crispness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different nuts in the Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for almonds, you can swap in pecans, walnuts, or even hazelnuts based on your preference. Just keep them chopped finely so they distribute evenly.

Is it necessary to soak the candied fruit in sherry and lemon juice?

Soaking the candied fruit is a secret step that boosts flavor and softens the fruit pieces for a better texture. If you prefer no alcohol, replace the sherry with fruit juice, but the soaking is still recommended.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Using a reliable gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour works well. Just make sure the other ingredients are also gluten-free and adjust the baking time slightly if needed.

How long do these Festive Fruitcake Cookies keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for up to a week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet and they retain flavor well.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Fruitcake Cookies Recipe has become one of those warm traditions in my kitchen that friends expect every holiday season. They’re easy to make, full of holiday spirit, and delightful to share. I know you’ll enjoy the process and the cozy results just as much as I do—give them a try and let these cookies bring a little extra joy to your celebrations!