Try This Old Fashioned Persimmon Cookie Recipe

This recipe for persimmon cookies results in a cookie with a cake-like consistency that makes it hard to stop at just one. Make them with chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts for a flavor-packed sweet treat.

Originally published in October 2013; this post has been updated.

persimmon cookies on a wire rack.

Old-Fashioned Persimmon Cookies

This persimmon cookie recipe is from my childhood. Since I don’t have a persimmon tree anymore, I hadn’t made them in quite awhile. Note that if you’d like to try this recipe but don’t have easy access to persimmons, you can make them with pumpkin puree.

When a friend of mine contacted me to I tell me that her persimmon tree was overloaded, inviting me to come take as many as I could use, of course I jumped at the chance. Preventing those persimmons from going to waste and my favorite persimmon cookies? I was in! (More info on growing your own persimmon tree here.)

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Working With Persimmons

Choose very ripe fuyu persimmons or a custard-like American persimmon for these persimmon cookies. Slice the stem from the top of each persimmon and use a spoon to scoop pulp into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a plastic blade. Pulse until the persimmon flesh is a fairly smooth consistency.

I opted to do this with the seeds intact, then I picked the seeds out of the pulp. I found this easier to do than removing seeds before processing, but that’s me. If you’d prefer, you can remove the persimmon seeds before you process the pulp.

You could also use a sieve or food mill for this.

orange per simmons in a vintage wooden crate

Ingredients

Persimmons — This is a fun fruit you may have passed up at the store. Opt for ripe hachiya persimmons or fuyu persimmons. The flesh is soft and works really well in baked goods. If you have more than you can use in a recipe, freeze persimmon pulp for use later. 

Brown sugar — Sometimes you just need classic flavors in delicious desserts!

Butter — I combine butter and oil in this recipe to achieve just the right texture.

Oil — You could use olive oil or coconut, whichever is your preference.

Flour — When I bake with all-purpose flour I opt for the unbleached version. Bleached flour is very white, but it’s also treated with bleaching agents that I don’t really need in my food.

Add-ins — Chocolate, raisins, nuts. Your call!

4 panels showing the process of baking the cookies.

How to Make Persimmon Cookies

Cream together the butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy.

Stir in remaining ingredients besides your add-ins.

Now mix in those favorite little treats and shape and bake.

uncooked balls of cookie dough on a baking sheet.

FAQs

What if I can’t find persimmons?

If you can’t find them at your local store, or you aren’t feeling adventurous, you can also use canned pumpkin or make your own. One can is just about 2 cups so it’s perfect for using the entire thing.

Can I make these dairy-free?

You can use vegan buttery sticks for the butter, which are meant for baking recipes just like this. Then make sure your chocolate chips are also dairy-free.

persimmon cookies with raisins and chocolate chips on a cooling rack

What mix-ins are good?

Reach for your favorite chocolate for sure. Nuts work well as do dried fruits like raisins or cranberries. Feel free to use 1, 2, or 3 options – just keep your total at about 3 cups for the amount of dough.

How to Store Persimmon Cookies

This recipe produces a cake-like cookie that holds together well. They’re good for packing up as gifts — a little bit of travel won’t do them any harm. They freeze well, too; I like to keep some in the freezer to pull out for unexpected company. Pair these with

persimmon cookie on a wire rack.

 ★ Did you make these persimmon cookies? Don’t forget to give them a star rating below! ★

persimmon cookies on a wire rack.

Old Fashioned Persimmon Cookies

Yield: 48 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Try an unusual fruit in a traditional recipe and see what you think! These persimmon cookies are a favorite here. 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated organic cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup organic brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup extra light olive oil , or coconut oil
  • 2 cups pureed persimmon pulp
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 cups unbleached organic all-purpose flour, (the same amount of oat flour works beautifully if you're avoiding wheat)
  • 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 3 cups add-ins (chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, raisins)

Instructions

  1. Cream together sugar, butter, and oil in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Stir in persimmon pulp, baking soda, and eggs. Add flour and spices.
  3. Once those are combined, stir in your favorite add-ins.
  4. Place cookie dough by the teaspoonful onto baking sheets and bake for 12-14 minutes at 350ºF. Cool on wire racks.

Notes

The resulting cookie is very cake-like and---my family concurs---tasty. Now, what if you don't have persimmons? Pumpkin puree is a very comparable substitute.

**To make persimmon pulp: Slice the stem from the top of each persimmon and use a spoon to scoop pulp into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a plastic blade. Pulse until the persimmon flesh is a fairly smooth consistency. I opted to do this with the seeds intact, then I picked the seeds out of the pulp. I found this easier to do than removing seeds before processing. Don’t have a processor? No worries. Just use a bowl and a potato masher.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 48 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 80mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g

Did you make this recipe?

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About the author: Kris Bordessa is an award-winning National Geographic author and a certified Master Food Preserver. Read more about Kris and how she got started with this site here. If you want to send Kris a quick message, you can get in touch here.

12 comments… add one
  • Alana Bates Nov 27, 2021 @ 16:10

    How can I make these cookies with Fuji persimmons ?

    • AttainableSustainable Dec 21, 2021 @ 9:48

      If you don’t have access to Fuyu persimmons, using pumpkin puree is just as good and your next best bet! 🙂

  • Audrey Dec 15, 2020 @ 4:29

    I picked a bunch of wild persimmons this fall. I tried a few different cookie recipes and this was the best! I did find that cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in place of the pumpkin pie spice gave a better flavor, but it could be that my PPS was old and weak.

    • Kris Bordessa Dec 19, 2020 @ 13:33

      Glad you liked them!

  • 420reap Dec 1, 2019 @ 22:59

    Thank You for sharing this cookie recipe!

  • Michelle Mar 24, 2018 @ 21:53

    Great recipe!
    A fun, easy to make treat.

  • Angi @ SchneiderPeeps Nov 18, 2015 @ 4:11

    My mother in law loves persimmons! If I can ever find some I’ll definitely be making this recipe for her. Thanks for sharing!

  • Carolg Jun 27, 2014 @ 7:22

    I have question about the Persimmon cookie recipe – it says to add the baking soda with the persimmon pulp and eggs. I usually add the baking soda with the dry ingredients so it doesn’t clump up. Is there a reason to add it with the persimmon? Will it come out the same if I make it added to the dry ingredients? Thanks!!  

    • Kris Bordessa Jun 27, 2014 @ 8:18

      I can’t imagine it would make a difference. That’s usually how I do it, too. This is just the way the original recipe came to me.

      • Coral Apr 20, 2017 @ 12:22

        too much sugar!!
        I make mine with 1/4 cup honey to 1/2 cup butter, much healthier, the persimmons are so sweet as it is

        • Kris Bordessa Apr 27, 2017 @ 17:33

          I always encourage people to play with recipes to suit their own tastes.

        • Alice Nov 18, 2020 @ 6:14

          Do you completely eliminated the sugars and replace with the honey for the persimmon cookie recipe?

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