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
Ingredients
- 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
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!