Cranberry White Chocolate & Walnut Cookies

My friend Gina from Oklahoma sent me Most Loved Cookies cookbook for Christmas and this is one of my favorite recipes. I love the combination of chewy cranberries, smooth white chocolate and the crunch of toasted walnuts.

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 3/4 cups brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup cooking oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped

1. Beat eggs and brown sugar in a large bowl until thick and pale. Add cooking oil and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

2. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add to brown sugar mixture in two additions, mixing well after each addition until no dry flour remains.

3. Add cranberries, white chocolate chips and walnuts. Mix well.

4. Cover and chill in fridge for at least an hour. Roll into balls, using 1 tablespoon dough for each. Arrange about 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet or ungreased baking stone.

5. Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 -12 minutes until golden. Let stand on cookie sheets for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.

6. Makes about 4 dozen (48 cookies). Store in tightly covered tin or container.

English Tea Squares

This is another recipe from my Aunty Win in Canada. We made this together that Christmas so long ago when I was far from home and missing the holiday baking with my mother and sisters. This is still one of my favorite cookies which makes an appearance every Christmas without fail. I cut it into fingers rather than squares.

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. Allspice

1 cup toasted almond/walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup strawberry jam, warmed up

Confectioners sugar for dusting

1. Beat butter until light. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

2. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.

3. Stir in flour, allspice and almonds or walnuts.

4. Spoon about half of mixture into a lightly greases 9-inch square pan or rectangular dish. Spread strawberry jam on top of mixture.

5. Top with remaining dough. The process works well if you use a teaspoon and drop bits of dough until the top is completely covered.

6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 - 35 minutes or until delicately brown.

7. Cool on baking rack. When completely cool dust with confectioners sugar and cut into small squares or fingers.