MRS. CLAUS' FRUIT & NUT COOKIES

Mrs. Claus' Fruit & Nut Cookies image

Provided by Anne Bruscato Nunez

Categories Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 c butter flavor shortening
2 1/4 c brown sugar, firmly packed
3 eggs
1 Tbsp half and half
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 c nuts, chopped
2 c raisins
5 oz package dried cherries
1 c dried cranberries
8 oz package pitted dates, chopped
8 oz candied pineapple, chopped
7 oz package sweetened, flaked coconut

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine coconut, fruit and nuts in LARGE bowl. Toss with 1/2 cup of flour until evenly coated. Set aside.
3. Whisk 4 cups of flour with baking soda in medium bowl. Set aside.
4. In mixer, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add half & half and vanilla and mix well. Stir in flour mixture until combined. Scrape the cookie batter into the large bowl containing the fruit and nut mixture. Using a large wooden spoon (or clean hands) stir until the fruit and nuts are evenly mixed into the cookie batter.
5. Drop by ice cream scoop* about 3 inches apart onto baking pan (I fit 6 cookies on each pan). Bake 20 minutes, (rotating pan after 10 minutes) or until set. Leave on the pan for a few minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. *Baking time will depend on the size of your scoop. Watch carefully.