Description
Fruitcake bar cookies bring festive cheer straight from your kitchen, packed with sweet dried fruit and warming spices that make holiday baking a delightful adventure. Slice these tender bars into perfect squares and watch your family gather around with smiles and eager hands.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups baking mix
- 1 ½ cups diced candied fruit mix
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
Binding Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Flavor and Texture Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 350°F and coat an 8×8-inch pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Combine 1 cup packed brown sugar, 2 cups baking mix, 1 egg, ½ cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Blend these ingredients until they form a smooth, consistent batter.
- Gently fold 1 ½ cups candied fruit mix, ½ cup raisins, ½ cup almonds, and ½ cup chopped pecans into your prepared mixture. Ensure the fruits and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan, using gentle pressure to spread the batter into an even layer. Avoid compressing the dough too firmly.
- Place the pan in the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and checking with a toothpick for doneness.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature. Cover the pan and allow the bars to rest overnight to enhance their flavor.
- After resting, slice the bars into 16-25 square pieces, ready to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft texture and rich flavor.
- Swap out traditional candied fruits for dried cranberries or chopped dates if you prefer a less classic fruitcake taste.
- Toast the nuts briefly before adding them to intensify their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to your bars.
- For a gluten-free version, replace the baking mix with a gluten-free baking blend and check that your candied fruits are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg