Cranberry Cherry Icebox Ribbon Cookies

Submitted by grandma2969

"These cookies have a great chewy crisp texture and are loaded with fruit flavor..They keep well, if you can keep people out of the cookie jar..I have made these with alternate fruit flavors..all are winners.. **THE CRANBERRY CHERRY FILLING CAN BE MADE AHEAD AND REFRIGERATED UP TO 4 DAYS BEFORE MAKING COOKIE DOUGH.."

 

• Ready In: 24hrs 9mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 50 3

ingredients

• CRANBERRY CHERRY FILLING

• 3⁄4 cup dried sweetened cranberries (3 oz)
• 1⁄3 cup sour cherry jam or 1/3 cup preserves
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon almond extract

• DOUGH

• 2 cups all-purpose white flour, plus
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose white flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2⁄3 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 1 large egg
• 2 1⁄4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract

directions

1. In a food processor, process the cranberries, jam or preserves, and sugar until coarsely pureed.
2. Transfer the mixture to a small, heavy saucepan.
3. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until it just comes to a boil, immediately remove from the heat.
4. Let stand until cooled slightly. Stir in the almond extract.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until well chilled, or freeze for 30 minutes, to speed chilling.(the filling may be refrigerated for up to 4 days, return to room temperature before using.

6. DOUGH:

7. In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the sugar and butter until well blended and smooth. Add the egg, vanilla and almond extract and beat till well blended. Beat or stir in flour mixture just until evenly incorporated. Let the dough stand for 10 minutes, or until firmed up slightly.
8. Line a 4 1/2"x8 1/2" loaf pan with aluminum foil, letting the foil overhang the long sides by about 3", this will keep the plastic wrap surrounding the dough from sticking to the pan. On top of the foil, line the pan with two long sheets of plastic wrap laid crosswise, overlapping the middle and overhanging the longer sides by almost 4". Divide the dough into 4 portions. Working on a large sheet of wax paper, roughly pat each portion into the shape of the loaf pan. Pat one dough portion firmly into the pan bottom, forming a smooth, even layer. Using a rubber spatula, spread one third of the filling over the dough in the pan, the filling may seem stiff, but spread it as evenly as possible. Repeat the layers, using all four dough portions and all the fruit filling. Fold the plastic wrap over the dough. Freeze until the loaf is cold and very firm, at least 1 1/2 hours and preferably longer.The dough can then be transferred to a plastic bag and frozen for up to one month.
9. Preheat the oven to 350*. Greaze several baking sheets or use nonstick spray.
10. Carefully peel the plastic wrap from the loaf. .using a large, sharp knife, trim off and discard the excess dough so the sides of the loaf are straight up and down, rather than flared; wipe the knife clean between cuts (if the loaf is too hard to cut easily, let stand for a few minutes, don't let it thaw too much, or it will be more difficult to slice cleanly. Carefully cut the loaf crosswise into thirds, forming three 2 3/4x4" blocks. Working with one block at a time, keep others refrigerated, cut each third into 1/4" slices to produce 2 3/4" long ribbons, wipe the knife clean between cuts. Using a spatula, carefully transfer the slices to the baking sheets, placing them cut side up about 2" apart. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time in the upper third of the oven, reversing sheets halfway through baking from front to back to ensure even browning for 9-14 minutes or just until slightly darker at the edges. Using a spatula, immediately transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to one month.

Reviews

[justcallmetoni]

This was a last minute addition t my cookie trays as I wanted something with cranberries. I did not have sour cherry preserves (just sweet cherry) so I opted to use orange marmalade instead. The combination was divine and I think the better choice between the two as it did give the tartness of the original recipe. Found that the filling needed some liquid for the initial cooking and added about 1/4 cup of water, all of which simmered off. The results were delicious both the cookie and the filling. I have never tried using a pan to get even ribbons, having always used a rolling pin with guides, but this was much easier and made making such and attractive cookie a breeze. We tend to make smaller cookies so I sliced the cookies in half before baking giving me close to 4 dozen squares.

 

[crowdjen]

I usually end up adding a little bit of water (a tablespoon at a time) to the fruit filling so that it's easier to spread. This is a labor intensive cookie but SO DELICIOUS. I have been making them at Christmas for quite a few years and they are always a big hit.

 

[Lizzymommy]

I haven't even made these yet, and my mouth is already watering at the different possible combinations! I think the first one I'll try will be orange marmalade with dark chocolate chips instead of dried cranberries, and then I will start cleaning out the spare odds and ends of jams in the fridge (you know how somebody always opens up a new jar when there was 1/4 of a jar left of the "old" jam, and then you find you have 5 or more jams open!)<br/><br/>Thanks so much for this terrific recipe and loaf-pan technique!

 

[Messy44]

Made for a cookie exchange. Was looking for something fruity and a bit different and these were perfect. Easy to make, baked up nicely and quite delicious. Used homemade cherry rhubarb jam, may try marmalade next time as suggested by another reviewer. Will make these again - a big hit. Doubled the recipe without difficulty, just used two large loaf pans. May make one more layer next time. Very very good and so pretty. Thanks for posting. ;]

 

[Debi H]

I made these the first time for this Christmas and was a little worried if they would look good with the layering involved. But the directions were excellent and they were actually quite fun to make and to see they came out so well. And the taste was excellent - followed the recipe exactly and everyone gave them high marks. A definite keeper for my Christmas cookie list. Thanks for posting!