My Sister's Cookies

My sister brought a plate of these cookies when she visited a couple of weeks ago. She's busy with a full-time job and school in the evenings (kudos to her, at 59, she's training for a new career in Health Information Technology), but I finally wrangled the recipe from her.

These are great cookies. They are nutty, sweet and citrus-y and have a nice glaze over the top. They remind me of autumn, but would also be wonderful for sharing throughout all the winter holidays.


Fall Harvest Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 Tablespoons orange juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in the orange zest and orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in the cranberries and optional nuts until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be placed at least 2 inches apart.

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

Icing:

In a small bowl combine 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice, and approx. 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar until smooth. Drizzle over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.