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Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies


Ingredients
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups unsifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest (from 3 oranges)
1 cup demerara sugar or sparkling sugar, as needed for decorating


How to Make It
Step 1
Beat butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Beat in vanilla.

Step 2
Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Beat in cranberries and orange zest until just combined, about 30 seconds.

Step 3
Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a rectangular log about 9 inches long x 2 inches wide x 2 inches tall. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

Step 4
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place demerara sugar in a shallow dish. Unwrap dough logs. Gently press demerara sugar into long sides of both logs.

Step 5
Cut dough into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices 1 inch apart on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Step 6
Working in 2 batches, bake cookies in preheated oven until edges are lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks, and cool completely, about 20 minutes. Store in airtight containers up to 1 week.