If you love easy Christmas cookies with just a few ingredients, this slice and bake holiday fruit cookie is about to become your new favorite. It has all the cozy flavor of a classic fruitcake, but in a soft, buttery cookie that even fruitcake skeptics love.
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When I am baking during the Christmas season, I always gravitate toward recipes that are simple, reliable, and festive. This cookie fits perfectly into that rotation. It brings all the holiday spirit with very little effort. No rolling pins. No cookie cutters. No royal icing. Just mix, chill, slice, and bake.
This is a true easy holiday cookie recipe made with basic ingredients. It is perfect for cookie plates, Christmas parties, gift tins, and late night sweet tooth cravings.
Why You Will Love These Easy Christmas Cookies
This cookie is built for busy holiday baking days.
- Uses simple ingredients you likely already have.
- A true slice and bake cookie. No rolled out dough. No shaping stress.
- The flavor tastes like Christmas in every bite.
It is the perfect recipe to keep on your list of favorite recipes year after year.
Christmas Flavor in Every Bite
Not everyone is a fan of fruitcake, and that is okay. But a lot of people are missing out on how wonderful candied holiday fruit actually tastes when it is used the right way.
Most holiday fruit blends are made with orange and cherry, and those bright flavors add so much life to this simple butter cookie. Plus, the almond extract brings in that warm, bakery-style aroma that makes your kitchen smell like the holidays.
Easiest Christmas Cookie Ever
This cookie skips all of the complicated steps.There is no rolling out dough, no cookie cutter shapes and no icing or cream cheese frosting to fuss with.
You make one dough. You roll it into one log. You chill it. Then you slice and bake.That is it.
This is the kind of easy recipe anyone could make during the holiday season.
Ingredients for these Simple Cookies
- All purpose flour gives the cookie structure and soft chew.
- Salted butter provides rich flavor and controls sweetness.
- Powdered sugar creates a soft crumb and delicate texture.
- Egg binds the dough and helps the cookies bake evenly.
- Almond extract brings that classic bakery Christmas flavor.
- Candied holiday fruit adds the orange and cherry notes that create true holiday magic.
Other Variations You Can Make
One of the best things about this easy cookie recipe is how versatile it is. You actually do not even have to use the candied fruit.
This dough works as a base for so many cookie flavors. Using the same common ingredients and simple steps, you can turn this into several different cookie varieties. It truly is the perfect way to stretch one batch of dough into several favorite cookies for a christmas party, holiday party, or gift tins during the festive season.
You can substitute the candied fruit with any of these easy mix ins:
- Mini chocolate chips for shortbread flavored chocolate chip cookies
- Chopped walnuts or pecans for a nutty twist
- Crushed candy canes for a minty holiday cookie
- Mini M & M's for a bright, kid-friendly cookie
- A drizzle of white chocolate added with a squeeze bottle after baking
Each variation keeps the cookies in that easy sugar cookie recipe category with fewer ingredients, making this one dough a true workhorse for the best Christmas cookie recipes.
Tools You Will Need
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Parchment-lined baking sheet
- Sharp knife
- Plastic wrap
- Wire rack
How to Make Slice and Bake Holiday Fruit Cookies
Sift the Powdered Sugar
First, sift the powdered sugar into your mixing bowl. This removes lumps and helps the sugar blend smoothly into the butter. It also helps create that soft, even texture in the finished cookie.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
Next, add the softened butter to the sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy. This step builds the base texture of the cookie.
Add the Egg and Almond Extract
When its all incorporated, add the egg and almond extract. Mix until fully combined. Stop and scrape down the bowl and the beaters. This step is important. If butter sticks to the sides and does not mix in, it can create uneven dough and oddly shaped cookies later.
Fold in the Flour on Low Speed
Finally, turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour slowly. Mixing on low keeps the flour from flying everywhere and prevents overmixing. Mix just until the dough starts to come together.
Combine the Holiday Fruit
Next, gently fold in the chopped candied holiday fruit by hand. You can use a mixed fruit blend or all cherry if you prefer larger fruit pieces. If your fruit is not already chopped, cut it into small even pieces so every cookie slice gets fruit. These blends are easy to find in stores during the holiday season in the baking aisle.
Shape a Smooth, Even Log
Now, turn the dough onto parchment paper. Shape it into a log about 2 ½ to 3 inches wide. Roll it gently back and forth on the counter to smooth the sides. A symmetrical log gives you round cookies later.
Chill in the Refrigerator
Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Do not freeze at this stage. Refrigerating keeps the log firm but easy to slice.
Slice Even Rounds
Once chilled, use a sharp knife to slice the log into ¼ inch thick cookies. Try to keep the slices even so they bake at the same rate.
Bake Until Set
These bake best at 325°F for 13 minutes. These cookies should not bake to a deep golden brown. You are looking for set edges and lightly baked bottoms with soft centers.
Let the baked cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
The dough log can be refrigerated for up to four days before baking.
The dough log can also be frozen for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.
Baked cookies freeze well and thaw at room temperature without losing texture.
Slice and Bake Holiday Fruit Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour 295 g
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- or 1 cup unsalted butter plus ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar 115 g
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 8 ounces chopped candied holiday fruit
Instructions
- Beat butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add egg and almond extract and mix until fully combined.
- Add flour on low speed and mix just until a soft dough forms.
- Gently fold in the chopped holiday fruit.
- Shape the dough into a 2 ½ to 3 inch log.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice dough into ¼ inch thick rounds.
- Bake for 13 minutes until edges are set and bottoms are lightly baked.
- Cool five minutes on the pan. Transfer to rack to cool.
Notes
- Logs may be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days before baking.
- Logs may be frozen for up to three months and thawed overnight before slicing.
- Slice thickness affects yield and bake time.
More Easy Christmas Cookies You’ll Love
If you are building your holiday cookie plate, these are perfect to bake alongside this recipe.
No chill cut out sugar cookies
Melt in your mouth snowball cookies
Classic ginger snaps
Or click here to see my full collection of easy Christmas cookie recipes.
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