Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies Recipe Old-fashioned oats, dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butterThis comforting Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies recipe is a chewy dessert cookie that takes about 30 minutes to make and serves up to 18 people.

Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 cups old-fashioned oats
• ¾ cup dried cranberries
• ¾ cup chopped dried apricots

Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies Instructions

1. Put the oven on 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Put the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl, and cream together until smooth (about 2–3 minutes).
3. Add the eggs in one at a time beating well after each addition Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Separately whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in another bowl.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix and mix only until combined.
6. Combine flour, old-fashioned oats, dried cranberries, and chopped apricots in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth.
7. Place rounded tablespoons of dough in each baking sheet (with cookie scoop or spoon) and place about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is just set.
9. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe tips

Chill the Dough for Chewier Cookies : If you have a couple of minutes, put the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking. That will help it not spread out which will give your cookies that wonderful chewy texture we all love with a cold glass of milk.

Try a Touch of Orange Zest : It’s a light brightness from a little zest of fresh orange in the dough that goes great with the winter fruit and reminds me of holidays, in my mother’s kitchen — sweet and citrusy!

Make It Easier with Pre-chopped Fruit : Chop up dried apricots if you ‘re baking with very little helpers / not a lot of time – makes things easier and allows the grandkids to get more involved in the fun part — scooping the dough!

How To Store Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies

Refrigerate: Allow Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then transfer them to an airtight container (separate between layers, if stacking) and keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days, or until they’re soft and chewy.

Freeze: To store the cookies longer, freeze them after they cool. Place the cookies on a baking sheet in one layer and freeze them individually for 1–2 hours. Then cover with plastic wrap and transfer to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag (with parchment between layers). They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Use the cookies when they are warm (at room temperature) or microwave them for a few seconds to get that baked flavor.

How To Reheat Leftover Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies

In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Put the cookies on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil without over-browning them (if you’re using them). Allow to reheat for 8 – 10 minutes or until they’re warm and slightly soft in the center.

In The Microwave: Put a single or two cookies on a plate that ‘s microwave safe. Cover them with a damp paper towel (to hold the moisture in) and microwave for 10 – 15 seconds. Don’t overheat because the cookies may get too soft or rubbery.

In The Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 300°F (150°C) Place the cookies in a single layer in the basket. Heat for 2–4 minutes (check halfway through to make sure they’re warm but don’t get too crispy).

What to serve Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies

Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies Recipe is also good to eat with hot apple cider, spiced chai tea, warm milk and vanilla yogurt. Still ideal to be served with fresh orange slices, handful of mixed nuts, bowl of warm oatmeal and cinnamon-dough toast to help experience the full taste of this meal better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

No, but remember it will affect the texture a little. Quick oats will make the cookies softer and less chewy. I’ve always found Clara to recommend old-fashioned oats for the greatest amounts of hearty bite.

Can I substitute other dried fruits?

It’s totally customizable! You can replace the cranberries and apricots with raisins, dried cherries, chopped dates or dried blueberries – but all the fruit sizes should be equal (about 1 1/2 cups) for the best texture.

How do I stop the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for 30 min before baking can help with the spread and give you a chewier center on the cookies. Clara does it when little Luna is napping: ) she has time to clean it up and enjoy the peace!

More cookie recipes:

• The Great American Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Oreo Recipe
• Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe