Fall Fruit Drops with Apple-Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup golden raisins, snipped dried apricots, and/or chopped dates
- 1/3 cup apple juice or apple cider
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2/3 granulated sugar
- 2/3 firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup shredded tart green apple
- 2/3 cup chopped hickory nuts or black walnuts
Apple-Cream Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 - 3 oz. package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 Tbsp apple juice or apple cider
Preparation:
In a small mixing bowl, stir together the raisins, apricots, and/or dates and apple juice or cider. Let stand for 15 minutes. Drain fruit, reserving liquid.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with an eclectic mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, brown sugar, apple pie spice, baking soda and salt; beat until combined. Beat in the egg and the reserve liquid. Stir in flour until just mixed. Fold in the raisin mixture, shredded apple and nuts.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls (about 2-inches apart) onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake in a 375° F oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost cooled cookies with Apple-Cream Cheese Frosting. Store cookies in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Frosting Preparation:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 cup of the powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually add remaining powdered sugar and enough apple juice or apple cider to make a frosting of spreading consistency.
Servings: 4 dozen cookiesSource:
Submitted by: Recipe Group Member
Date:
