FRUITCAKE COOKIES - HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

      Title: FRUITCAKE COOKIES - HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
  Categories: Holidays, Cookies
       Yield: 5 Servings
  
       1 c  Mixed diced candied citrus
            Peel
       1 c  Dark seedless raisins
     1/4 c  Chopped mixed dried pears,
            Dried apricots, golden
            Raisins
     1/3 c  Bourbon whiskey
   2 1/4 c  All-purpose flour
     1/2 ts Baking powder
     1/2 ts Baking soda
   1 1/2 ts Ground cinnamon
     3/4 ts Ground cloves
     1/2 ts Ground ginger
     1/4 ts Grated whole nutmeg
       8 tb (1 stick) unsalted butter,
            Slightly softened
     2/3 c  Firmly packed dark brown
            Sugar
     1/4 c  Dark molasses
       1 lg Egg
       1 lg Egg yolk
            Grated zest of 1 large
            Orange
       1 c  Finely chopped pecans
      60    Pecan halves, to garnish
  
   In a large, deep non-aluminum mixing bowl combine candied citrus
   peel, dark raisins, mixed fruits and bourbon. Cover and refrigerate
   overnight, stirring several times.
   
   In medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda,
   cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg, set aside.
   
   In another large bowl beat butter until fluffy. Add brown sugar and
   molasses and beat until smooth. Beat in egg, egg yolk and orange
   zest. Stir in half of the dry ingredients. Stir in fruit mixture and
   chopped pecans, alternately with remaining dry ingredients. Cover and
   chill at least 1 1/2 hours, or until firm enough to shape into balls.
   (Dough may be refrigerated up to 48 hours.)
   
   Form dough into 1-inch balls and place on greased baking sheets,
   spaced about 1 1/2 inches apart. Place a pecan half on each ball and
   press down slightly.
   
   Bake in center of a preheated 375'F oven 9 to 10 minutes, or until
   balls feel almost firm when gently pressed on top. Remove from oven
   and let stand 2 to minutes. Using a spatula, transfer balls to wire
   racks to cool completely. For best flavor, allow balls to "ripen" 24
   hours before serving. Store in airtight container 3 weeks or freeze
   up to 1 month. Makes about
         5    dozen cookies.
   
   House Beautiful Holidays 1993
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