Iced Cranberry Drop Cookies Image by Author

Cranberry Drop Cookie Ingredients:

• 3 Cups (450g) of Sifted Plain Flour
• 2½ Cups (110g) of Chopped Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
• 1 Cup (125g) of Chopped Walnuts
• 1 Cup (230g) of Caster Sugar
• ¾ Cup (165g) of Firmly Packed Soft Brown Sugar
• ½ Cup (125g) of Softened Butter
• ¼ Cup (60ml) of Milk
• 1 Egg
• 2 Tablespoons of Orange Juice
• 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
• ½ Teaspoon of Freshly Ground Sea Salt
• ¼ Teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda

Icing Ingredients:

• 2 Cups (250g) of Confectioners’ Sugar
• 1/3 Cup (90g) of Softened Butter
• 2 – 4 Tablespoons of Hot Water
• 1½ Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl to cream together the softened butter, the caster sugar and the soft brown sugar until light and fluffy
2. Beat in the egg, milk and orange juice and mix well
3. In another mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and bicarbonate of soda
4. Gradually add the combined dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well
5. Stir in the chopped cranberries and the chopped walnuts
6. Preheat oven to 1800C
7. Drop level tablespoons of cranberry drop cookie mixture about 5cm (2”) apart on greased baking trays
8. Transfer loaded baking trays loaded into a preheated oven and bake at 1800C for 12 – 14 minutes or until golden
9. When cooked remove cranberry drop cookies from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool

Icing Method:

1. Heat softened butter in a saucepan over a low heat until golden (about 5 minutes)
2. Remove from heat and let stand for 2 minutes to cool
3. Transfer melted butter to a small mixing bowl
4. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract all the while stir gently
5. Now beat in water 1 tablespoon at a time until icing reaches desired consistency
6. Ice cooled cookies and let stand for icing to set
7. Once the icing has set transfer the iced cranberry drop cookies to an airtight container to await consumption

Serving:

• These portions will yield around 5 dozen mouth-watering iced cranberry drop cookies
• These iced cranberry drop cookies compliment milk-based beverages such as milkshakes, malted smoothies and hot chocolate as well as coffee and tea etc. very well
• They also make a great addition to a mixed cookie jar/plate or as a lunch box treats.