FESTIVE RUM FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Festive Rum Fruitcake Cookies image

Provided by Kelly Williams

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 sugar
3/4 cup butter flavor crisco
3 eggs
1/3 cup orange juice, i just use fresh squeezed since it's a small amount , but premade is fine
1 Tbl. rum extract, or butter rum extract
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 cups mixed candied fruit, such as red and green cherries, pineapple, strawberries, apricots, golden raisins, etc.
1 cup nuts, coarsely chopped, such as pecans, walnuts, macadamias, peanuts, pistachios, etc.

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Beat shortening and sugar in mixer bowl til fluffy. Add eggs, orange juice and rum extract. Beat 2 minutes longer.
2. Combine flour, baking powder and soda, and salt in small bowl. I use a whisk, it mixes dry ingredients so much better. Add fruit and nuts. Stir into creamed mixture.
3. Drop by rounded tablespoons full onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 12 minutes +, or til golden. Let cookies stand on cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. *Can drizzle accross with rum-flavored powdered suagr icing, or dip halfway into white chocolate and let harden if desired. *See Icings and Glazes for recipe.