Cranberry Orange Cookies

I make these cookies every year around the holidays. They are some of our favorites and are very easy to make. They are chewy and very flavorful (I upped the orange zest).

CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
zest of 1 orange
3 TBS orange juice
2 cups cranberries (chopped)
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (chopped) 

Glaze
1 cup confectioner's sugar
4 TBS. of orange or lemon juice (or enough to get a runny consistency)

Preheat oven to 375.
Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Cream together the butter and the two sugars. 

Beat in the egg, blending well.

Mix in the orange zest and juice.

Add the sifted flour mixture.

Add the cranberries and nuts (the nuts are optional).

Drop tablespoon sized dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges have turned golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on wire racks.

Prepare the glaze by mixing the confectioner's sugar with the orange juice. Add more juice if needed. You want the glaze to be a bit runny. Drizzle over the cookies after they have cooled.

Store in an airtight container.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy