Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven & Baking Sheets
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Mix Wet & Dry
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix or the cookies will be tough.
5. Fold in the Fun Stuff
- Gently fold in candied fruit, nuts, and optional add-ins. You want an even distribution of festive goodness in every bite.
6. Form the Cookies
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Optional: lightly press the tops so they bake evenly.
7. Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Methods & Tips
- Soft vs. Crunchy: For softer cookies, bake closer to 12 minutes. For a slightly crisp edge, go 14–15 minutes.
- Fruit Prep: Dice larger candied fruits small to prevent uneven baking.
- Mixing Method: Use the creaming method for the butter and sugars — it traps air and creates a light, tender cookie.
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