Description

Holidays are the perfect time to serve these delightful cookies. The hardest part in making them is waiting the 2 hours in the refrigerator before baking!

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. dried cranberries, like Craisins
• ¾ c. sugar, divided
• 2½ c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, not scooped
• 1 c.cold butter cubed
• 1 t. almond extract
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 - 2 T. freshly squeezed orange juice, optional
• additional sugar to coat cookies before baking, if desired

Steps

1. Combine cranberries and 1/4 c. sugar in a food processor; process just until cranberries are broken down into smaller pieces; set aside.
2. Combine flour and remaining sugar in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter to cut in butter until you have very fine crumbs. Stir in extract, cranberries and sugar mixture, orange zest and optional orange juice. Use your hands to knead the dough until it comes together and forms a ball, working the dough until it comes together. Shape dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 72 hours.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.