Christmas Rocks are a traditional holiday treat that is perfect for sharing and gifting during the festive season. These delicious cookies are loaded with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, making them rich in flavor and texture. The recipe is easy to follow, and the cookies can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Get into the holiday spirit with these delightful Christmas Rocks!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
- 1/2 cup chopped candied cherries
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts, almonds, dried cranberries, dried apricots, dates, and candied cherries.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container or gift to friends and family for a festive treat!
Interesting Facts
Christmas Rocks originated in the United Kingdom and have been a popular Christmas treat for centuries.
The combination of dried fruits and nuts in these cookies symbolizes the abundance of the harvest season.
In some regions, Christmas Rocks are also known as Christmas shortbread or Christmas fruitcake cookies.
These cookies can be enjoyed with a warm cup of tea or coffee, or even paired with a glass of eggnog for an extra festive touch.