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This Christmas Rocks cookie recipe is another vintage recipe from my mother’s old recipe box. And – as has been the case with so many of the recipes from my mom that we’ve shared earlier on A Family Feast – Jack and I both get such a kick out of the recipe name!
I really have no idea why these cookies are called Christmas Rocks – because they are soft, sweet, and absolutely delicious! I also think they are very festive and perfect for the holidays – with the colorful dried cranberries and candied cherries and pineapple chunks peeking out through the batter. These cookies are also loaded up with nuts – walnuts, almonds and pecans – so they have a great crunchy texture as well!
My mom loved baked goods filled with dried fruits and nuts (she even liked fruit cake!) – so I can totally see why this Christmas Rocks cookie recipe was in her collection.
These easy cookies bake up in about 20 minutes, and I think they are the absolute best served warm right out of the oven. But you can also make them up to a day or two ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container before serving.
And one last note – although the recipe called for candied cherries and pineapple, plus a mix of walnuts, almonds and pecans, we think any combination of candied fruit and nuts will work well in this recipe. Enjoy!
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Christmas Rocks
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup candied cherries
- 2 cups candied pineapple
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour, divided
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Non-stick pan spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place rack in top one third of oven.
- In a food processor, pulse each nut one at a time until pea sized and place in a large bowl.
- Pulse the four fruits one at a time to same size and add to nuts in bowl.
- Add ½ cup of the flour to the fruit and nuts and toss and mix until combined. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix butter and brown sugar until creamed. (I used a stand mixer with a paddle attachment but this could be done by hand)
- Add the egg and combine.
- Add remaining flour, cinnamon, baking soda and vanilla and combine.
- Pour this mixture over the fruit and nuts and combine by hand.
- Line four cookie sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with non stick pan spray.
- Divide mixture into 48 one ounce drops using a small scoop placing 12 per pan.
- Bake two pans at a time in top third of oven for 20 minutes but watch that bottoms don’t get too browned. Rotate pans after ten minutes.
- Remove to a rack to cool.
- Seal and an airtight container.
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Lori says
These sound awesome! Definitely making them this year. Has anyone tried to make these as cookie bars (in 9×13 pan)? If so, what was the bake time? Or has anyone tried to get them to be softer/chewy so they’re less “rock” after a few days?
Martha says
Hi Lori – Sorry – We haven’t tried baking these in a 9×13 pan. The “rock” in the name refers to the fruit not the texture of the cookie.
Christa says
These are fabulous!
Martha says
Thanks Christa!
Mary says
I love all the fruit
Martha says
Thanks Mary!
Ros says
Great festive recipe. Thanks to your mum and you 🎄
Martha says
You’re welcome Ros!
Roxane Ragazzo says
This is a real winner!
Martha says
Thanks Roxane!
Shelley Baxter says
The Christmas Rocks look so good similar to fruitcake cookies
Martha says
Yes – agree Shelley!
Kitty says
What a wonderful page. What a privilege do you have to share your mom recipes with other people.
Martha says
Thanks Kitty – We don’t have to, but want to, especially if other people are enjoying the recipes!
Rosanne Schmidt says
I imagine they are called “rocks” because they dry out fairly quickly and become hard as rocks if left for too long.
Martha says
Maybe Rosanne!
Janet says
Can you make the dough ahead of time and keep it in refrigerator until ready to bake?
Martha says
We haven’t tried doing so Janet, but I think that would work.
Janet says
Can you make this into a fruit cake?
Martha says
I’d suggest looking for a specific fruit cake recipe instead Janet – I think this cookie batter would be too dense for a cake.