Cherry Walnut Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups candied red cherries, cut in half
• 1 cup walnut halves, chopped

Directions

1. 1

   In bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla.

2. 2

   Then add flour and salt; stir until blended.

3. 3

   Stir in cherries and walnuts.

4. 4

   Divide dough into thirds; shape each into 10" (25 cm) long log.

5. 5

   Wrap and chill until firm, at least 3 hours.

6. 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. 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. 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. 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. 10

    Makes about 12 dozen cookies (less, of course, if you cut them a little thicker).

11. 11

    These are really delicious cookies, well worth the time it takes to make them!

12. 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. 13

    Note: chill time of 3 hours is not included in prep time.