Chewy Fruitcake Cookies

These are the bottles of rum soak fruit (raisins, currants, mixed peel, cranberries) which I have prepared two years ago! Below picture was taken two years back whereby the dried fruits were freshly soaked in rum. You won't get such vibrant colour after soaking it for two years ok! ^0^ Therefore I've added some freshly chopped dried apricots, glaced cherries into the cookie dough so that they will look prettier! 

Oh we really love this fruity cookies! The cookies are not only eye candy but also extremely tasty. This will be great alternative for gifting besides the usual rich fruit cake!  I believe family and friends will be delighted to receive this festive looking cookies. 

Ingredients (approx. 20 cookies)

• 180gm plain flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 125gm unsalted butter
• 70gm fine sugar
• 50gm brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150gm dried fruits (mixture of rum soaked mixed fruit, dried apricots, glaced red and green cherries)

Method

1. Sift plain flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon powder. Set aside.
2. Using a electric whisk, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 
3. Add in egg and vanilla and beat till well combined.
4. Add in flour mixture, in 3 batches, beat until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
5. Fold in dried fruits. Using a ice-cream or a spoon, drop dollop of batter onto lined baking sheet, leaving 2" space in between as the cookie will spread. Sprinkle some diced apricots, chopped red & green cherries on the top of the cookie dough.
6. Bake in preheated oven at 180 deg cel for 12-15 mins until lightly brown.
7. Cool on baking sheet for 5 mins before transferring onto a wire rack to cool down completely before storing. 

Cranberry Poached Pears

Everywhere is so christmasy now! My family do not celebrate Christmas but I do enjoy the Christmas spirit and feasting. ^0^ So delighted to spot some fresh cranberry at the supermarket, relatively cheap and therefore I've grabbed a few packets. This lovely sweet cranberry poached pears which is alcohol free so that kids can enjoy this dessert too! Very christmasy looking dessert right? A simple and elegant dessert to awe your guest if you are clueless of what to make for your Christmas party. :D 

What you need for making this jewelled cranberry poached pears : 150gm fresh cranberries, 1/8 cup dried cranberries, 1 vanilla pod, 1 small cinnamon stick, 1 fruity tea bag, 1 large orange peel, 1 large lemon peel, 2 tsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp fine sugar ....

 .....and of course the main ingredient fresh pears!! I'm using Belgium conference pear here. 

Peel the pear and slightly shaved off the bottom so that it can stand upright. Place the pears into a pot. Fill in water just enough to submerge all the pears. Slice the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrap out the seeds. Throw the pods and seeds into the pot. Add in cinnamon, peels, honey and sugar. Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 10 mins till pears are tender.  

 Add in fresh cranberries and continue to simmer for another 2 mins. Turn off fire.

Transfer the pears and cranberries syrup into a container. Add in tea bag and dried cranberries. Cool down and chill in fridge overnight. As cranberry has high pectin, the syrup will further thickens as it cool down!

Serve the chilled poached pear with cranberry syrup and of course a dollop of vanilla ice cream! 

Recipe ref : marthastewart.com