Cranberry Orange Almond Shortbread Cookies

by Craving Something Healthy

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioner's (powdered) sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped

In a mixer bowl combine the butter, sugar, almond extract and salt.  With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour (sorry no picture for this step)

Then stir in the orange zest, dried cranberries and almonds.

Should look like this when you're done

Remove dough from the mixer bowl and roll it out into a long log (about a foot and a half).  Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours or overnight.

When you're ready to start baking, preheat oven to 325F degrees.

 Remove from refrigerator and cut into 1/4" slices.  It helps that the dough is good and cold all the way through hence the need for refrigeration.

On a cookie sheet covered with a silpat mat or parchment paper, place the cookies one inch apart.

Bake 15 minutes or until edges are slightly golden brown.  Cool.

Wrap and give away as gifts.  Believe you me, anyone would be thrilled to receive these!

I tweeted earlier that I am not a fan of shortbread cookies,  I just always thought they were too bland and boring!  Until I tasted these and POW!  WOW!  I've made about 5 dozen or more so far.  Half I've given away and the other half, well, I'm not going to tell.

The combination of the orange zest and cranberries are tart, sweet and tasty.  A perfect compliment to your hot chocolate drink.  These will definitely become a new tradition every Christmas and any time in between for sure!