Cherry Pineapple Date Cookies are festive & beautiful Oatmeal Cookies that are fantastic for holiday baking & gift-giving. They include pecans, coconut, Candied Cherries, Candied Pineapple & dates along with Almond Extract to increase the flavor. Absolutely delightful for a Christmas Cookie Exchange, tailgating or office party or to enjoy the Holiday Season.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, almond extract, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Blend well with an electric mixer until smooth.
Stir in flour, coconut, dates, oatmeal, candied cherry & pineapple mix, and pecans until thoroughly mixed.
Press cookie dough into a ¼ cup cookie scoop using a scant measure.
Press firmly or the dough will crumble when you drop the scoopfuls of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet.
Space cookies 2 to 3 inches apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake for 17 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned and just set.
Rotate cookie sheets on oven racks after nine minutes of baking time.
Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
NOTE: The secret to making these cookies is to not overbake them. If you overbake they become too crispy. If you bake them just until the liquid texture on top of the cookie is baked, the cookies will be chewy and delicious.NOTE: I used about 7/8 scoop of cookie dough pressed into the scooper.NOTE: My cookies took 18 minutes to bake.
Candied Cherry Pineapple Mix provided courtesy of Paradise Fruit.