Cranberry - Orange Pinwheels

  

These cookies caught my eye when I saw them on Pinterest because they are so pretty and because they have cranberries in the filling.  And I was pretty sure Hubby would like then too.  They do take a bit of extra work, but its not too bad.  I used the recipe posted by Rachel at Baked by Rachel.  She gives lots of great tips and how-to instructions on making these cookies look so pretty.  Check out her blog, she has lots of wonderful looking treats to try.

Hubby loved them, but since he has a very sweet tooth, he asked if the cranberry filling could be a little sweeter.  I have another batch of dough chilling right now and I will try increasing the amount of brown sugar that goes in the cranberry mixture.

1 cup cranberries

1 cup pecans

1/4 cup brown sugar (I increased to 1/2 cup)

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

2 tsp orange zest (I increased to 2 Tbsp, Hubby likes big flavor)

3 cups flour

• Combine the cranberries, pecans and brown sugar in a food processor.  Chop until only small pieces are left.
• Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add baking powder, salt, eggs, and orange zest.  Beat for 1 minute. Gradually add the flour, mixing on medium speed until all is well combined.  Cover and chill at least one hour.
• Divide dough in half.  Roll out one half on lightly floured surface into a rectangle approx 1/4 inch thick.  Evenly spread half of the cranberry filling over the dough to  1/2 inch from the edges.
• Begin rolling up the dough from one of the short ends.  Pinch to seal the ends when it is rolled all the way.  Transfer the dough to wax paper or plastic wrap.  Gently roll it and then seal the ends.  
• Chill for at least four hours, or even overnight.  Check occasionally for any flat spots and roll gently to keep the log rounded.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Remove wrapping and cut 1/4 inch slices from the log.  Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until just turning golden.  Let rest on tray for 5 minutes before removing.