Looking for a delicious and festive treat to brighten your holiday season? These Festive Fruit and Nut Christmas Rocks are the perfect blend of sweet fruits and crunchy nuts, brought together with a touch of spice to celebrate the flavors of Christmas. Packed with wholesome ingredients like candied pineapple, dates, and a trio of nuts, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite for the holidays. Whether served with tea, coffee, or as a delightful dessert, these treats add a touch of homemade charm to your celebrations.
Ingredients
- Nuts:
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- Dried Fruits:
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1 cup candied cherries, halved
- 2 cups candied pineapple, diced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- Dry Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 whole egg
- Spices and Flavorings:
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Other:
- Non-stick pan spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Sheet : Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Toss Fruits and Nuts : In a large mixing bowl, combine the walnuts, almonds, pecans, dates, candied cherries, candied pineapple, and dried cranberries. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour over the mixture and toss gently to coat. This helps prevent the fruits and nuts from sticking together.
- Cream Butter and Sugar : In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and baking soda until fully combined.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients : Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour to the butter mixture. Mix until a smooth batter forms. Fold the floured fruit and nut mixture into the batter, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Shape the Rocks : Using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between each drop to allow for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection : Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and Enjoy : Once cooled, serve your festive Christmas Rocks as a snack or dessert. These also make wonderful holiday gifts when wrapped in festive packaging!
Conclusion
These Festive Fruit and Nut Christmas Rocks are a delightful way to bring holiday cheer to your table. Their chewy texture, vibrant colors, and rich flavors make them a standout treat for the season. Share them with loved ones or keep them all for yourself—either way, they’ll become a tradition you look forward to year after year. Enjoy and savor the taste of Christmas!
Festive Fruit and Nut Christmas Rocks
Festive Fruit and Nut Christmas Rocks aredelightful holiday treats packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices,perfect for sharing with family and friends during the festive season.
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped)
- 1/2 cup almonds (chopped)
- 1/2 cup pecans (chopped)
- 1 cup pitted dates (chopped)
- 1 cup candied cherries (halved)
- 2 cups candied pineapple (diced)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (divided)
- 1/4 cup butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Non-stick pan spray
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Sheet : Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Toss Fruits and Nuts : In a large mixing bowl, combine the walnuts, almonds, pecans, dates, candied cherries, candied pineapple, and dried cranberries. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour over the mixture and toss gently to coat. This helps prevent the fruits and nuts from sticking together.
- Cream Butter and Sugar : In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and baking soda until fully combined.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients : Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour to the butter mixture. Mix until a smooth batter forms. Fold the floured fruit and nut mixture into the batter, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Shape the Rocks : Using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between each drop to allow for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection : Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and Enjoy : Once cooled, serve your festive Christmas Rocks as a snack or dessert. These also make wonderful holiday gifts when wrapped in festive packaging!