Fruitcake Bar Cookies

Indulge in the nostalgic flavors of the holiday season with these irresistible Fruitcake Bar Cookies—a modern, bite-sized twist on traditional fruitcake. Bursting with a medley of dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, and apricots, plus crunchy chopped nuts and optional candied cherries, these bar cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet and nutty. With hints of warm cinnamon and soft, buttery cookie dough, each bite delivers festive comfort. Easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, these bars are ideal for holiday parties, homemade gifts, or simply pairing with a cozy cup of tea. Elevate your dessert game with this quick and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of fruitcake!

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cup brown sugar, packed
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 1 unit large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups dried fruit mix (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, etc.)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• 0.5 cup candied cherries, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.

Step 2

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or a wooden spoon, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 4

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6

Stir in the dried fruit mix, chopped nuts, and candied cherries (if using), ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 7

Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 10

Once cooled, lift the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan. Slice into 16 squares or rectangles.

Step 11

Serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1030.6 grams (1030.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4273

Total Fat 175.90g	226%
Saturated Fat 68.80g	344%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 444mg	148%
Sodium 1208mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate 645.10g	235%
Dietary Fiber 29.20g	104%
Total Sugars 434.00g
Protein 48.40g	97%

Vitamin D 41IU	205%
Calcium 444mg	34%
Iron 18mg	102%
Potassium 2849mg	61%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.3%

Protein: 4.4%

Carbs: 59.2%