Cranberry Cordial Cookies
These are my husband's favorites - they store well and make great gifts at Christmas or Valentine's Day. For me the joy of baking cookies is the joy of giving them to loved ones.
Cranberry Cordial Cookies
(Takes a little less than 3 hours from start to finish but only 45 mins of hands on time)
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups Dried Cranberries (Craisins)
¼ cup Kirsch (cherry brandy)
1 ½ cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips or 12 ounces of Bittersweet or Semisweet Chocolate
1/3 cup (5.5 tblsp) Butter
1 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
¼ tsp Baking Powder
3 Large eggs
1 ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
½ tsp Almond Extract
2/3 cup White Flour
1 ½ cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup Almonds, chopped
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, stir together the cranberries & kirsch and let stand for at least 5 minutes
2. Melt together 12 oz (1 1/2 cups) chocolate & butter (microwave or use a double boiler) & mix well, then cool
3. Stir brown sugar, baking powder, eggs, vanilla & almond extract into the cranberry mixture until the sugar dissolves/the mixture is well blended
4. Into that mixture, stir in the chocolate mixture, then the flour, chocolate chips and almonds - mix well
5. Refrigerate the dough for 2 hours or until it firms up
6. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats
7. Drop dough onto the baking sheets using a slightly rounded teaspoon, spacing them 2 inches apart
8. Bake cookies, one sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes or until dry in the center/almost firm when touched
9. Let stand until completely cool – peel from paper - store in airtight containers (can be stored in freezer)
They are rich so a few go a long way!
