Spiced Persimmon Delight Cookies
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of these Spiced Persimmon Delight Cookies, a cherished recipe that won Katherine Hakins Armstrong the prestigious Indianapolis Star's 2005 Holiday Cookie Contest. These cookies beautifully balance the natural sweetness of ripe persimmons with a medley of aromatic spices, creating a delightful treat that's perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion. The addition of raisins, dates, and either walnuts or pecans adds texture and richness, enhancing each bite. With a slightly lighter oven temperature recommendation, these cookies promise to bake to a tender, golden perfection, making them a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Enjoy them dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness!
5-6 dozen
Servings
75
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
sugar
1 1/2 cups
shortening
1/2 cup
persimmon pulp
1 cup
egg
1 (beaten)
flour
2 cups (sifted)
baking soda
1 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon
clove
1/4 teaspoon
raisins
1 cup (chopped, if desired)
walnuts or pecans
1 cup (chopped)
powdered sugar
as needed (for dusting)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (reduce from 375°F for a lighter bake). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening until light and fluffy.
3
Stir in the persimmon pulp and beaten egg until well combined.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
5
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the persimmon mixture, blending until just combined.
6
Fold in the raisins and chopped walnuts or pecans, mixing until evenly distributed.
7
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set.
9
Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet, then remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
11.7g
Carbs
0.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Persimmon Delight Cookies?
These are award-winning holiday cookies that combine ripe persimmon pulp with aromatic spices, raisins, and nuts for a warm, comforting flavor.
Who created this recipe?
The recipe was created by Katherine Hakins Armstrong.
Has this recipe won any awards?
Yes, it won the Indianapolis Star's 2005 Holiday Cookie Contest.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 5 to 6 dozen cookies.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F, which is a reduction from the original 375°F to ensure a lighter bake.
How long should these cookies be baked?
Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
What spices are used in the cookies?
The recipe uses a medley of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
What kind of nuts can I use?
You can use either chopped walnuts or pecans.
How much persimmon pulp is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of persimmon pulp.
What is the calorie count for one cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 75 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 3.3 grams of fat per cookie.
What is the carbohydrate content of these cookies?
Each cookie contains 11.7 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein do these cookies provide?
There is 0.8 grams of protein per cookie.
Should the flour be sifted?
Yes, the recipe specifies 2 cups of sifted flour.
Is an egg required for this recipe?
Yes, one beaten egg is added to the persimmon mixture.
What is used to grease the cookie sheet?
The instructions recommend lightly greasing the cookie sheet, though it does not specify a particular grease.
How should the cookies be finished after cooling?
Once cooled completely on a wire rack, dust the cookies with powdered sugar.
How far apart should I place the dough portions?
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.
Can I add other fruits besides raisins?
Yes, the description mentions that dates are a great addition for texture and richness.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 13 ingredients in the recipe.
What type of fat is used in the dough?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of shortening.
How much sugar is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of sugar.
What is the role of baking soda in this recipe?
One teaspoon of baking soda is used as a leavening agent to help the cookies rise.
How much cinnamon is included?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How much nutmeg is included?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg.
How much clove is included?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of cloves.
Should the raisins be chopped?
The recipe suggests using 1 cup of raisins, chopped if desired.
How should the dry and wet ingredients be combined?
Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the creamed sugar, shortening, pulp, and egg mixture, blending until just combined.
What is the best way to cool the cookies?
Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet first, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
What makes these cookies perfect for the holidays?
Their combination of seasonal persimmons, warm spices, and festive powdered sugar dusting makes them a holiday favorite.