For years, fruitcake was a traditional holiday gift welcomed into any home during the holidays. Today, fruitcake simply gets a bad rap, and no one is entirely sure why. Perhaps too many preservatives have spoiled this age-old favorite. We asked Diamond Collection members to share some of their holiday decorating tips, recipes and traditions, which we've begun posting below. This one comes from Doug Breitling at Arsenic and Old Lace in Eureka Springs, Arkansas who tells us about his Fruitcake Cookies that are a complete hit. When asked about these cookies, Doug shared with us, "Now I know some folk will turn their noses up and think that Fruit Cake Cookies would taste like what many people use as door stops but these cookies have been a hit with everyone who tasted them!"
Doug hopes you'll try Arsenic and Old Lace Cookies yourself, and then continue the fruitcake tradition by sharing them with friends and neighbors. We think these cookies will be one gift that will not be re-gifted this year!
Arsenic and Old Lace Fruitcake Cookies
1 Cup Butter
2 1/2 Cups Flour (all purpose)
1 1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Ground cinnamon
2 (8 oz)Pkg Chopped pitted dates
3 Cups Pecans, chopped
1 (8 oz)Pkg Candied yellow pineapple, chopped
1 (8 oz)Pkg Candied red cherries, cut into quarters
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter; gradually add sugar; beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Combine flour; salt; baking soda; and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture; beating well after each addition. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
Drop dough by heaping teapoons onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 13 minutes or lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheets about 1 minute; remove cookies to wire racks and cool completely. Yield: About 7 Dozen.
Here's a step by step photo guide to making Arsenic and Old Lace Fruitcake Cookies. All photos provided by Doug Breitling, Arsenic and Old Lace B&B.
Ingredients for the cookies:
Mixing the Ingredients
Mixing is finished:
Ready for the oven:
Cookies cooling:
Arsenic and Old Lace, 60 Hillside Avenue, Eureka Springs, AR, 866-350-5454.
Nestled on a wooded hillside in the Eureka Springs Historic District, Arsenic and Old Lace is a bed and breakfast inn offering luxurious rooms and suites, with peaceful views of the Arkansas hills and beautiful gardens from its large, wrap-around veranda. Both the garden and veranda are perfect for intimate wedding services.