Classic Cup Christmas Cookies

These cookies are very pretty, and tasty. Look great on gift trays during the holidays, with the green and red. If you don't like cherries used sweetened dried cranberries.

• Calories: 427 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
• ½ cup chopped pistachio nuts
• ½ teaspoon orange extract
• 4 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 ½ cups dried cherries
• 4 ounces vanilla flavored confectioners' coating, melted

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners' sugar. Add egg, orange extract, and orange zest; mix until smooth. Sift together the flour and baking powder; stir into the creamed mixture. Then, stir in the dried cherries and chopped pistachios. Roll dough into a 10 inch long log about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, wrap in plastic or wax paper, and freeze for 2 hours. If dough is too difficult to form a log, refrigerate for 1 hour first.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease two cookie sheets.

Step 3

Cut roll into 1/2 inch slices and place onto the cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on the cookie sheet 1 to 2 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack. Use melted candy coating to drizzle a striped pattern on the cookies when they are completely cool.