Fruit and Spice Rounds

Chewy and spicy, these frosted fruit cookies make good Christmas cookies.

• Calories: 217 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 5 teaspoons milk
• ¾ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1 cup dried figs

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

In a food processor or with the fine blade of a food grinder, process or grind raisins, figs, dates and walnuts.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs and beat well.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl stir together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Add flour mixture and beat until well mixed.

Step 4

Stir in ground fruit mixture. Divide dough in half; cover and chill several hours or overnight.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheet.

Step 6

On a well floured surface roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut into rounds with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minute or until done. Cool on cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes, then remove and cool thoroughly on rack.

Step 7

Combine 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon softened butter or margarine, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and enough milk (4-5 tsp) to make icing of drizzling consistency.