Cranberry Orange Cookies

I love to be home during a snowstorm.  It's exactly the kind of weather that makes me want to just stay in and bake.  So yesterday I decided to make cranberry orange cookies.

The texture is chewy and flavor is a delicious balance of cranberry, orange, and walnut.

1 c. real butter, softenened
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. grated orange zest
2 TBSP orange juice
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. cranberries, chopped
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped

For the glaze:
1/2 tsp.grated orange zest
3 TBSP orange juice
1 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar


1.Preheat the oven to 375*

2.  In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar
and brown sugar until smooth.

3.  Beat in the egg until well blended.

4.  Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice.

5.  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt;
stir into the orange mixture.

6.  Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed.

7.  Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie
sheets.  Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.

8.  Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges
are golden.  Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

9.  In a small bowl, mix together glaze ingredients and drizzle
over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

I almost cut the recipe in half but then decided to go through with the

full four dozen.  This may not have been the best decision because

now I'm not so sure I trust myself alone in the kitchen with them.

 Yummy!

 

Hint of Coconut Cookies

I want to share this recipe because even my non-coconut eaters raved about these cookies!  It may seem like a lot of coconut but for some reason, the flavor is pleasantly mild and not at all.  And the texture

is just the right amount of chewy goodness!

Here's the recipe:

1 1/4c.  all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. butter

1/2c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/3 c. flaked coconut

 

1.  Preheat oven to 350*

 

2.  In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

3.  In a stand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar on medium speed until smooth.

4.  Beat in the egg and vanilla until light and fluffy.

5.  Gradually blend in the flour mixture, then mix in the coconut.

6.  Roll into 1" balls and place on a cookie sheet a few inches apart.  

7.  Place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator and allow it to chill for about 30 min.

8.  Remove from the refrigerator straight to the oven.  Bake for approximately 12 min. or until lightly toasted.

9.  Cool on wire racks.

My most adamant coconut hater kept trying to sneak cookies while I was making dinner.  :)