Chocolate-Dipped Cranberry Cookies

These pretty pink cookies always turn out so tender. They are the hit of my holiday!

Chocolate-Dipped Cranberry Cookies

Average Rating: 4.5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 15 min./ batch + cooling
YIELD: 3-1/2 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 1-1/4 cups chopped walnuts, optional

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Using paper towels, pat chopped cranberries dry; stir into dough.
  • 2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake until lightly browned, 11-13 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  • 3. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip each cookie halfway into the chocolate; place on waxed paper. Sprinkle with walnuts if desired. Let stand until set.
    Freeze option:
    Drop cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets; cover and freeze until firm. Transfer cookie dough balls to a freezer container. May be frozen for up to 3 months. To use, bake frozen cookie dough as directed, increasing time by 3-4 minutes. Proceed with recipe as directed.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 130 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.