Can a cookie be cozy? It seems like an odd word to describe a food, but it is exactly right. These cookies are cozy. I am a huge fan of chocolate in just about any dessert, but Bryan asked me to create a Christmas cookie that had dried fruit, nuts, and some spices. I’m not sure if this is what he was hoping for, but I was pleased with how it turned out. I’m calling this cookie “Home For The Holidays Winter Cookie” which will never rank on Google or come up in a cookie search, but I don’t care because that’s what this cookie is to me. It reminds me of the coziness of home in the winter, and it incorporates warm spices and comforting ingredients. It is a “no fuss” kind of cookie that doesn’t require any chilling or rolling, and it can be ready in no time.
The recipe allows for some flexibility. While I made these with dried cranberries and cherries because that’s what I had on hand, but you can use whatever dried fruit you prefer. I also chose to use walnuts in the cookie. In keeping with the homey theme, these walnuts are from a McVay family walnut tree. My wonderful mother-in-law harvests walnuts each year from the tree in her backyard; the backyard my husband and his siblings grew up playing in. She dries and shells the nuts and bags them up for me to use. It’s a really great arrangement for me- she does all of the work, and I get the benefit of free walnuts! Anyhow, you can use the nuts that appeal to you.
These cookies will make your kitchen smell amazing, and they keep well. I strongly recommend enjoying them with some coffee or tea or the warm beverage of your choice as you admire the lights on the Christmas tree and enjoy being home for the holidays!
Some Tips For This Recipe
Mix in raisins, chopped apricots, cherries, cranberries… think of fruits you might find in a fruitcake. Walnuts or pecans have a great texture for this cookie, but almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts would all be good
Instant or quick cooking oats just don’t have the same texture.
Winter Cookies
A “cozy” cookie full of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices that will make your kitchen smell amazing, and will remind you of being home for the holidays. Perfect for enjoying with your favorite warm beverage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 1x
- Category: cookie
- Cuisine: dessert
Ingredients
1 cup butter softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 Tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 cup dried fruit
1 cup nuts
1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350
Mix butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add molasses, eggs, and vanilla and mix until blended. Add the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Stir in the oats. Fold in the dried fruit, nuts, and white chocolate chips.
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough balls approximately 2 Tablespoons in size and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Space at least 2 inches apart on the sheet. Bake for approximately 10 minutes until set and golden at the edges. Let cookies rest for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
These cookies store well. I tried them 3 and 4 days after baking and they were still soft and flavorful.
Keywords: dried fruit, nuts, cookie, spices, white-chocolate
Leave a Reply