In all honesty, I am finishing up the 12 Days of Christmas Cookie List after the holidays.
It is January 2nd to be exact. I have been in bed since the 23rd of December with the flu.
Yes we missed the Christmas celebrations, the 7 fishes, hosting our first Christmas dinner in 2 years, Christmas mass and spending time with family.
I am doing this and the next 2 posts so I have a record of what I baked for Christmas 2022 and to have the recipes in one spot.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies. The flavors of Cranberry and Orange are "the" flavors of Christmas for me as Pumpkin Spice is for some people in autumn.
I do not know where I found this recipe but I have been making it for a number of years.
This cookie was a victim of the butter being too warm. problem that I dealt with while baking this year. We won't make that mistake next year.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
2 1/2 dozen cookies
Ingredients-
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup sugar, divided 1/4 c and 1/2 cup
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup butter, cubed and COLD
zest of 1 orange
1 tsp almond extract
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
Method-
Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
Combine cranberries and 1/4 cup of sugar in a food processor and process just until the cranberries are broken down into small pieces. Set aside
Combine the flour and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl.Use a pastry cutter to cut in butter. You want very fine crumbs.
Stir in extract, cranberries and sugar mixture, orange zest and orange juice.
Knead dough until it becomes together and forms a ball. Don't overwrk it
Shape dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter, Wrap in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate 2 hour or more.
Preheat oven to 325˚.
Cut slices of cookie dough about 1/4 inch thick.
Place cookies on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or just until cookies are set.
Do not over bake.
Let cookies cool for several minute on baking sheet before removing to cooling rack.
Store in air container for 3 day or freeze fro up to 3 months.