CRAN-ORANGE ICEBOX COOKIES

Cran-Orange Icebox Cookies image

These are among my family's favorite cookies around Christmas. The cran-orange flavor makes them special. -Nancy Rollag, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 40m

Yield about 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2/3 cup chopped dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
8 to 10 drops red food coloring, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the egg, milk and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well., Transfer 1 cup dough to a small bowl; stir in orange zest and set aside. To the remaining dough, add cranberries, pecans and, if desired, food coloring; divide in half., Line an 8x4-in. loaf pan with waxed paper. Press 1 portion of cranberry dough evenly into pan; top with orange dough, then remaining cranberry dough. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm., Remove dough from pan; cut in half lengthwise. Cut each portion into 1/4-in. slices. Place 1 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets., Bake at 375° until edges begin to brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 90 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 41mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.