Christmas time comes early for us as my daughters can’t wait long to put up the tree. Tree is usually up by 1st week of November with which festive preparations start in home. And first step towards preparations is always: baking, be it cookies or cake. We try various flavors and combinations almond and jam, cashew cookies, orange cranberry etc.

This was one the best cookies we made together and was gone in few days! It has a unique combination of tart (orange) and sweet (cranberry) which also add Christmas feels to it. Recipe is simple and quick with few and simple ingredients most of which are always available in our kitchen pantry.

I recommend using freshly squeezed orange juice instead of store bought as store-broughts usually have preservatives and artificial flavoring which alters final taste and some times disturb baking process too.

You can replace all purpose flour with whole wheat flour/ almond flour or even a mix of two. You can also replace regular sugar with brown sugar or mix in 50:50.

RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS:

• Butter: 1-1/4 cup
• Sugar 1-1/2 cup
• All purpose flour: 2-1/2 cup
• baking soda: 1/2 tsp
• salt: 1/2 tsp
• Freshly squeezed orange juice: 4 tbsp
• Orange zest from 1 orange (appox 2 tsp)
• roughly chopped cranberry: 2 cup

FOR GLAZE:

• Orange juice: 2 tbsp
• icing sugar: 1 cup
• orange zest: 1 tsp

METHOD:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degree C.
2. Take a large bowl/ mixer and mix butter and sugar till creamy texture is achieved.
3. Add orange juice and zest and mix.
4. In a separate bowl mix all the dry ingredients, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and dried cranberries.
5. Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well to form a dough.
6. On an ungreased sheet, place 1 tbsp sized dough balls and chill for 15 minutes.
7. Put in oven and bake for around 15 mins and let it cool.
8. While your cookies are baking, lets make the glaze: mix orange juice, zest and sugar in a bowl until smooth and runny.
9. When the cookies are cooled down, put the glaze and let it set for some time
10. Don’t wait!! Munch in!!!!

Tip: Every oven has different settings and different heating methods. Keep checking your cookies or they may get over cooked.