• Cooking Time: 15
• Servings: (approx.) 30
• Preparation Time: 15
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. orange (or almond) extract
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. orange zest
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt

1. Beat 1 cup softened butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.
2. Gradually add 3/4 cup powdered sugar, beating until smooth.
3. Stir in extracts, cranberries and orange zest until blended.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended.
6. Shape shortbread mixture into 2 logs, 7 inches long.
7. Wrap each log in wax paper and chill 4 hours or overnight before proceeding, OR slip the wrapped logs into a freezer bag and freeze for up to a month.
8. Pre-heat oven to 350F.
9. If frozen, let the dough logs sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
10. Cut each log into 24 slices (NOTE: I didn’t get that many slices; I cut each slice about 1/4” thick, and that worked very well. Cut them too thin, and they fall apart.)
11. Place sliced cookie dough on a lightly greased, or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
12. Place in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges of cookies are slightly golden (mine actually too about 15 minutes).
13. Cool on wire racks before storing in air-tight containers.

I’ve just made these for the first time today, and let me tell you, they are one delicious cookie! Very buttery, with a nice, tender crumb. The original recipe came from a recent issue of SOUTHERN LIVING, and called for 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. I didn’t have any, so I used orange extract instead, and it worked great. The end result was just the right amount of cranberry-orange flavor! Another good feature of these cookies is that they are soooo simple to make, AND you can freeze the dough for up to a month before baking. I’m making another batch today to give as Christmas gifts…the first ones are almost gone!!