November 24: Candied Fruit and Bourbon Cookies

Candied Fruit and Bourbon Cookies

Ingredients:
1 pound chopped candied fruit, such as cherries, pineapples, oranges, or citron mix
1 1/4 cups golden raisins
2/3 cup bourbon
2 cups (9 oz) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
7 tablespoons (3.5 oz) melted unsalted butter, cooled
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 2 teaspoons water
2 1/2 cups chopped walnuts and pecans, or all pecans or walnuts

1. Mix the candied fruit and raisins in a bowl. Pour in the bourbon and stir to coat the fruit. Cover and let sit at room temperature overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 and place a rack in the center. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick foil.
3. Mix the flour, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and both sugars together in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add the cooled melted butter, beaten eggs, and baking soda mixture to the flour mixture and stir until all the ingredients are mixed. Add the soaked fruit and the nuts and stir until blended.
5. Scoop up generously heaping teaspoonfuls of batter and arrange 2 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store covered and let the bourbon flavor mellow.

Mixture of candied fruit, raisins and bourbon

Flour mixture

Addition of butter, eggs and baking soda

Addition of candied fruit mixture

Addition of pecans/walnuts mix

Thoughts: I used 1/2 pecans and 1/2 walnuts.I baked them for about 16 mins/batch. They are also really gross.