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Welcome to Simple Fare, Fairly Simple. This is a place for me to post recipes of all kinds...along with other miscellaneous fodder from my so-called life here in the south. Who knows what you will find here. Could be anything from my husband...known as IT Guy...to my kids and beautiful grandbabies that are growing up way too fast right before my eyes. But...mostly this will be a place for food. I hope you'll see something you like and if you decide to try something from the list...leave me a comment and let me know!



Thursday, December 12, 2013

Fruitcake Cookies

Every year I make a fruitcake for my dad. My grandma made them every year but I never got her recipe so I had to go with my own. I've been making it for over 30 years. I love fruitcake just as much as my dad does but sometimes it's a little much. Sometimes a cookie is just what I'm looking for and now I have to look no further than my own little kitchen. These are outstanding! Switch up the fruits if you're not a fan of candied fruit (which I am, by the way). Really a good...and easy cookie. This recipe makes about 6 dozen cookies but you can certainly freeze the dough and bake them as needed.
Fruitcake Cookies

1 cup butter ~ room temp
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs ~ beaten
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup candied green cherries
1/2 cup candied red cherries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup candied pineapple
1/2 cup chopped pecans

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, and cream of tartar with a whisk. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until well blended.

Add eggs. 

Add flour mixture.

Add fruit and nuts. 

Divide dough in thirds.  Wrap in wax paper to form three logs.

Store in the refrigerator overnight.

Slice into 1/4 inch slices.

Bake on greased cookie sheet in 350 degree oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until golden in color.

Here's the line up. Oops. Left out the cinnamon.
Here's the line up. Oops! Left the
out of the picture.


Whisk the dry ingredients.
Whisk the dry ingredients.


In a separate bowl, combine the butter and brown sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine 
the butter and brown sugar.


Add the eggs.
Add the eggs.


Stir in the dry ingredients.
Stir in the dry ingredients.


Add the fruit and nuts.
Add the fruit and nuts.


Pretty dough!
Pretty dough!


Plop about 1/3 of the dough onto some waxed or parchment paper.
Plop about 1/3 of the dough onto 
some waxed or parchment paper.


Fold the paper over the dough a few inches.
Fold the paper over the dough a few inches.


With a dough scraper or even a ruler...or your hand, push the dough against the paper while holding the free edge of the paper.
With a dough scraper or even a 
ruler...or your hand, pull the 
scraper toward you against the paper 
while holding the free edge of the paper.


See what happens? A pretty dough log!
See what happens? A pretty dough log!


This recipe will make three logs. Chill them overnight before baking. Or freeze for later use...thaw in the fridge before slicing.
This recipe will make three logs. 
Chill them overnight before baking. 
Or freeze for later use...thaw in the 
fridge before slicing.


Slice into 1/4 inches slices for baking.
Slice into 1/4 inches slices for baking.


Yummyyyyy!!!!!
Yummyyyyy!!!!!