Looking to add a cheerful touch to your holiday cookie tray? These Cake Mix Fruit Cake Cookies are a wonderful and festive addition! With their vibrant red and green cherries, chewy raisins, and delightful nuts, they encapsulate all the warm flavors of fall in a soft, moist treat. Plus, the simplicity of using a spice cake mix makes them a breeze to whip up. You can even frost them lightly or just dust them with powdered sugar for that lovely snowy effect—perfect for the holiday spirit! Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 package of Spice Cake Mix (15.25 oz.)
• 1 – 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 stick of unsalted butter, melted (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup of assorted chopped nuts (like walnuts, pecans, or pistachios)
• 1/2 cup chopped glazed or maraschino cherries
• 1/4 cup green glazed cherries
• Optional: Additional spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger
• For the frosting: 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter (at room temperature), and water as needed
• Optional add-ins: raisins, coconut, or grated carrot

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, eggs, melted butter, flour, and vanilla. Blend them together until just mixed—don’t overwork the dough!
3. If you want to cater to nut allergies, you can split the dough in half. Add nuts to one half and keep the other half nut-free.
4. Fold in the assorted chopped nuts, cherries, and any additional spices if you’re using them.
5. Using floured hands, roll the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
6. If desired, sprinkle a few more chopped nuts or pieces of fruit on top before baking.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops look set and the edges start to brown slightly.
8. Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Frost the cookies with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and butter mixed with a little water, or dust them with powdered sugar.
10. Serve them to friends and family, or store in an airtight container. Unfrosted cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months!

Doctored Fruit Cake Cookies

These delightful cookies are a lightened twist on traditional fruit cakes, making them festive and airy rather than dense. The vibrant colors from the cherries and the crunch of nuts create a visually stunning and delicious cookie that’s sure to impress at any gathering.

You have the freedom to adapt these cookies with your favorite mix-ins to create your own unique flavor combinations. Regardless of how you customize them, you’re set to enjoy one of the tastiest cookies of the holiday season!

Other Mix-Ins You Can Try

• Raisins
• Craisins
• Dried apricots or figs
• Chocolate chips (white, dark or milk chocolate)
• Chopped dates or apples
• Shredded coconut
• Sunflower or pumpkin seeds (great for nut-free alternatives)
• More spices like cloves or nutmeg for added warmth

Shopping List for Cake Mix Fruit Cake Cookies

• Spice cake mix
• Eggs
• Unsalted butter
• All-purpose flour
• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar
• Optional mix-ins (nuts, fruit, coconut)
• Additional spices (if desired)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix for these cookies?

Yes! While the spice cake mix gives a wonderful flavor, you can certainly experiment with other flavors like carrot cake or even chocolate cake mix.

How do I store these cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that is suitable for baking.

What’s the best way to frost these cookies?

For a simple frosting, mix powdered sugar, softened butter, and just enough water to make a drizzling consistency. You can also dip the tops of the cookies in this icing for a beautiful finish!

Can I leave out the eggs in this recipe?

Yes, if you’re looking for alternatives, you can replace each egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water).