Recipe(tried): Coconut Cranberry Chews

This recipe appeared in the Sunset cookie issue in 2001. I believe it comes from a women named Nancy Jamison. These cookies are wonderful and very addicting!!! My husband does not care for coconut, but loves these cookies. Make sure you mix the dough until it comes together. These freezer wonderfully, also. Note: It is not a misprint, there is no egg in this recipe.

COCONUT CRANBERRY CHEWS

1 1/2 C. butter - at room temperature
2 C. sugar
1 T. grated orange peel
2 t. vanilla
3 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 C. dried cranberries
1 1/2 C. sweetened flaked dried coconut

In a large bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat 1 1/2 C. butter, sugar, orange peel, and vanilla until smooth.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating on low speed until dough comes together, about 5 minutes. Mix in cranberries and coconut.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on 12 by 15-inch baking sheets.

Bake in a 350 degree F. oven until cookie edges just begin to brown, 11 to 15 minutes (shorter baking time will yield a chewier cookie, longer baking time will yield a crisper cookie). If baking two sheets at once in one oven, switch their positions halfway through baking. Let cookies cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then use a wide spatula to transfer to racks to cool completely.