Cranberry-Orange Shortbread Cookies with Apricots

Ingredients

• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 cup unsalted butter , softened
• 0.5 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large oranges , zested
• 1 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
• 0.5 cups finely chopped dried apricots

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl; mix together.

2. 2

   Cream butter in a large bowl using an electric blender until fluffy and lightened in color slightly. Add sugar and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, several more minutes. Mix in vanilla and orange zest. Add flour mixture in 3 batches and mix until just combined, kneading the last addition by hand. Knead in cranberries and apricots.

3. 3

   Divide dough in half and roll out into two 1 1/2x7-inch long logs. Wrap each log in parchment paper and refrigerate until dough is chilled, at least 4 hours.

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. 5

   Remove dough from the refrigerator and cut each log into about 16 slices that are 1/3-inch thick. Place slices 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

6. 6

   Bake in the preheated oven until cookies just begin to turn slightly golden on bottom, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.