Fruitcake Cookies

This will make about 7 dozen..I wrap and freeze them and/or give them as gifts..even people who do not like traditional fruit cake love these I tend to use apple cider or apple juice instead of bourbon..but will type original recipe as it was given to me..

• Ready In: 53 mins
• Yields: 7 dozen

Ingredients

• 4  cups raisins
• 1⁄3 cup Bourbon
• 3⁄4 cup butter, softened
• 1  cup brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄4 cup  loosely packed orange zest
• 5  cups pecans, chopped
• 1  cup  candied cherry, chopped
• 4  large eggs
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 2  tablespoons milk
• 3  cups flour
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 cup Bourbon
• 2 1⁄2 cups  candied pineapple, chopped
• 1  cup  candied cherry, chopped

Directions

1. combine raisins and 1/3 cup bourbon (apple juice) in large bowl.toss.set aside.
2. beat butter at medium speed till creamy, gradually add brown sugar, and beat till fluffy -- add orange zest, and eggs.beat well.
3. dissolve soda in milk, stir into butter mixture.
4. combine flour and next 3 ingredients.add to butter mixture.stirring well -- stir in 1/2 cup bourbon(apple juice) add pecans and candied fruit to raisin mixture -- stir well.
5. add butter mixture and stir until nuts and fruit are thoroughly coated -- drop by tblsful on greased sheets.
6. bake at 375* for 13 minutes or edges are just beginning to brown --
7. immediately remove to wire racks to cool.
8. store in airtight containeras between layers of wax paper and freeze up to 1 month -- .