Merry Persimmon Holiday Cookies

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From our Publisher Trina Becksted:

“Seasons Greetings! We love introducing you, our readers, to fabulous ideas to perk up your tastebuds in a healthy way. That’s why this persimmon cookie recipe tickled our fancies enough to share it with you. We love Grace O’s anti aging cookbook. This recipe is just in the nick of time to satisfy Old St Nick, if you decide to leave cookies out for him. Exotic, healthy and delicious. Indulge with our blessings. Persimmons are rich in vitamins A, B ‘s and C along with potassium and manganese. Let us know how they turned out. Merry everything!

Joy, wisdom and a great healthy New Year 2023!”

California Persimmon Cookie Recipe

SERVES 12

This recipe comes from FoodTrients’s friend Lisa. It was her grandmother’s recipe and a family favorite. She uses persimmons grown in sunny California. Persimmons were brought there from Asia in the 1800s and can be found in many suburban California backyards. Fuyu persimmons work best in this recipe because they’re softer than Hachiya persimmons. Be sure to use very ripe ones so they’re soft enough and have lost their astringency.

BENEFITS 

Persimmons contain carotenoids, which may help inhibit cancer and tumor growth, reduce the risk of heart disease, and support immune function. The resveratrol in raisins helps protect the heart, helps fight cancer cells, and may even improve blood flow in the brain.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose or gluten free flour (I prefer Cup4Cup)

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

½ Tbs. ground cloves

½ cup vegetable shortening

or butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 cup persimmon pulp

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup raisins

1 cup walnuts or pecans

1 recipe Orange-Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)

Procedure

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour and spices and set aside.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the shortening or butter and sugar.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, persimmon pulp, and baking soda. Add to the butter mixture and combine well.
  5. Add the flour/spice mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the raisins and nuts.
  6. Drop tablespoons of the dough onto ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks.
  8. Top with my Orange-Cream Cheese Frosting.

(GLUTEN-FREE if using gluten-free flour)

Orange-Cream Cheese Frosting (Yields about 1 cup)

Ingredients

3 oz. softened cream cheese

2 Tbs. softened butter

1 tsp. orange zest

1 Tbs. orange juice

½ cup powdered sugar

¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Procedure

  1. In an electric mixer or food processor, beat the cream cheese, butter, zest, and juice until creamy. Add the sugar and beat for a few minutes or until the mix is well blended and smooth.
  2. Spread about 1½ tsp. frosting on each cookie. Sprinkle with the nuts.

Source: Grace O’s new cookbook, Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World, published by Skyhorse Publishing, and FoodTrients.com

Photo source: Pexels.com

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