Mrs. Will’s Christmas Fruit Cookies

From Joyce Rahe via Bob Wignall.

But there is a story, which we thought you would find interesting. One December Virginia was at Reba’s house and they were rehearsing for a Christmas program. A wonderful aroma came wafting through the house and Virginia asked, “What is that I smell”. Reba told her it was just her mother baking cookies in the kitchen. When the rehearsal was over, Reba gave Virginia some cookies and also the recipe. We have no idea where the recipe came from, but it’s possible it was a “family” recipe. Here goes:

Mrs. Will's Cristmas Fruit Cookies

2 pounds good candied fruit (mixed)
1/4 pound red candied cherries (but in half)
4 tablespoons brandy (to give it a little kick!)
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 pound pecans
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons honey
2 eggs

Cream the butter, sugar, salt, baking powder, flour, brandy, honey and eggs.

Add fruit and nuts and mix well. It will be stiff, with just enough dough (it seems skimpy) to hold the nuts and fruit together.

Use parchment paper and drop the mixture by small spoonfulls, with room to spread to about 2 1/2 inches.

Bake at 350 degrees until nice and brown...about 10-12 minutes (it takes us longer at high altitude...6800 feet).

It looks much like fruitcake, but has a much more pleasing flavor. Virginia doesn’t like fruitcake, but she loves these! I manage to snatch a couple every morning with my breakfast!

We hope you will enjoy this recipe and, like us, think of Reba while you eat them.