If you like fruitcake but don't have the patience to make it, these bourbon cookies packed with candied fruit are a great substitute. Bourbon lovers will appreciate the flavor, which is not subtle. If you are interested in the cookies but not quite sure how they'll be received, the recipe halves well.
Here is an updated picture for 2020. I forgot how good these are. I left out the golden raisins for the latest batch and the cookies were fine, though a bit flatter with less fruit plump them up.
Candied Fruit & Bourbon Cookies Notes
- It may seem obvious, but the brand of dried fruit you use will really make a difference. Some brands are better than others, but sometimes we have to go with whatever the stores have because dried fruit is usually only on the shelves around the holidays. Sometimes it appears as early as September so that fruitcake makers can get a head start.
- If you can't find candied fruit, you can order it.
- The cookies improve as they it, so have a tin ready and store your baked cookies at room temperature in a closed tin.
Recipe
Candied Fruit & Bourbon Cookies
Candied Fruit & Bourbon Cookies are like miniature versions of fruitcake with a good bourbon flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 16 oz chopped candied fruit (cherries, pineapples, oranges, citron mix)
- 1 ¼ cups golden raisins
- ⅔ cup Bourbon whiskey
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour (250 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅓ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 7 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, cooled (100 grams)
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten in a separate bowl
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 2 teaspoons water
- 2 ½ cups chopped walnuts & pecans or use all pecans or all walnuts
Instructions
- Mix the candied fruit and raisins in a bowl, then pour in the Bourbon and stir to coat fruit. Cover and let sit overnight at room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment or grease well.
- Mix the flour, salt, cinnamon, cloves and both sugars in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the beaten eggs, cooled melted butter, and baking soda/water mixture to flour mixture and stir until ingredients are mixed. Add the soaked fruit and nuts and stir until blended.
- Scoop batter up by generously heaping teaspoonfuls and place a couple of inches apart on baking sheets – the cookies puff up, but they don’t spread too much. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets and let cool. Store covered and let the Bourbon flavor mellow.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sue
I just finished these cookies and I think once they set for a week they will be very good. Actually, they aren't bad right out of the oven. I was given some candied fruit and searched until I found this recipe. The cookies are easy to make and if you have a stand mixer it is no trouble at all mixing the ingredients.
Anna
Gavin, I think these would do pretty well. I've never mailed them, but they do keep well.
Gavin
These look pretty amazing. I was curious, would these travel well in the mail? I am always looking for things that can go be mailed to others.
Anna
Well, it depends on the recipe. For instance, this recipe isn't one where you'd bother with a substitute because Bourbon is the highlight. If recipes call for small amounts of booze -- like 1/4 cup, then you might swap out another liquid that has a flavor you like. Of course the easiest thing to do it just go with a different recipe. There are so many to choose from which do NOT have alcohol.
nas
Hi there! I saw your page when i was google-ing and thought that i might as well try some of the recipes. They were great!
However, I do have a small question especially in regards to this recipe. You see, I don't consume alcohol. Some of your recipes used them. how can I substitute them?
Thanks! 🙂
Anna
HI Alton,
I'm glad you liked the cookies! This was my first time making the recipe too. Maybe on the second try, I'll add more bourbon. If you splashing a little bourbon over the baked cookies, let me know. I think that might work, but I'm not sure because the cookies are aleady pretty moist.
Alton
Anna, I just made these and they look good. When I put the bourbon in the fruit it really smelled, but after they are cooked I don't taste the bourbon. Maybe after a day or two they will taste more. They are good, though. I was thinking of giving them a little shot like fruit cake!
The recipe was very easy to make but when I was mixing the fruit and nuts in the batter was quite thick. So I put on my gloves (the ones you get with hair coloring are just right for working with dough) and worked the batter with my hands. They don't spread at all. Its a good recipe - thank you.
Louise
Tell Todd that you really shouldn't cook with anything you wouldn't drink. 🙂
C L
Ahh, bourbon! A favorite of mine and my friends. 🙂 They sound like a "must make' and soon! As soon as I buy candied fruit tomorrow...
Alton
These look so good I dashed right out and got the fruit and some 80 proof bourbon. They didn't have 100 proof so I had to settle. I was tempted to use Southern Comfort - its a little sweeter, but I think the first time one should follow the directions.
Would Louise mind sharing her mini-fruitcake recipe? I have the pans and would like to try some.
Kelly
This sounds like a much updated take on fruit cake.
snooky doodle
THESE SOUND AND LOOK SO GOOD AND FESTIVE. hAVE TO TRY THEM HOPE I DON T GET BOOZY BY EATING THEM 🙂
HeartofGlass
I admit it! I like candied fruit!
I don't drink but I like fruitcake--I might use another beverage but these look like a great way to have the taste of fruitcake without the long 'marinating' period, and not quite so heavy.
Amanda
Ooooo my kind of cookie!
Sue
Not being a bourbon or whiskey gal, I have no idea if 2/3 c. is a lot or a little when it comes to the good stuff. I hope you're already forgiven for using it though. 🙂
I hope the food bloggers like them!
Louise
And how much did the baker drink? LOL These look really good. I'd be tempted to try them using the dried fruit mix I use for my mini-fruitcakes (baked in tiny muffin tins). I can't think off the top of my head, but there's no candied fruit. It's cherries, apricots, and all those other things soaked in bourbon for five days before you bake them.