Cherry Walnut Cookies

Elly in Canada's Note:

A delicious and pretty cookie to add to your Christmas cookie tray. Anna's recipe was one passed down for two generations in her family. Source: Canadian Living Magazine, from Anna OIson's - Anna and Michael Olson Cook at Home..

• Total Time: 23 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 dozen

• 1 cup butter , softened
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups candied red cherries , cut in half
• 1 cup walnut halves , chopped

Directions:

1. In bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla.
2. Then add flour and salt; stir until blended.
3. Stir in cherries and walnuts.
4. Divide dough into thirds; shape each into 10" (25 cm) long log.
5. Wrap and chill until firm, at least 3 hours.
6. Cut logs into 1/8th" or 3 mm thick rounds and place about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, on parchment lined baking sheets.
7. Bake in top and bottom thirds of 325 deg F oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, just until edges begin to colour, 8-10 minutes.
8. These cookies brown even faster than shortbreads, so keep a close eye on them! I start checking early, and they're usually done around the 8 minute mark.
9. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and let cool completely before storing. Store layered with waxed paper in airtight container for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to one month.
10. Makes about 12 dozen cookies (less, of course, if you cut them a little thicker).
11. These are really delicious cookies, well worth the time it takes to make them!
12. Hint: If you want to use red and green cherries do not mix the cherries in same batch, they look better if made separately!
13. Note: chill time of 3 hours is not included in prep time.

Reviews

[andypandy]

Made these for my dad just last week, nice tender cookie .I Just packed dough into a lined loaf pan and when well chilled almost frozen just sliced into squares. Baking time in my oven was right on. Enjoyable cookies.