Cherry Christmas Slices

 1 cup butter, softened

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (see note)

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup red candied cherries, halved

1 cup green candied cherries, halved

1 cup pecan halves

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Add flour; mix well. Stir in cherries and pecans. Chill for 1 hour.

Shape dough into three 10-in.-long logs; wrap securely and place in a freezer bag. Freeze until ready to bake, or up to 2 months.

To bake, cut frozen logs into 1/8-in. slices, and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325° until edges are golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks

Note: Dough can be made ahead of time and kept in freezer until ready to bake. I suggest removing the log from the freezer for about 15 minutes before baking to make slicing easier.

Add grated orange, lemon, & lime zest, slivered almonds, & orange extract instead of vanilla.

Use Almond Extract instead of Vanilla

Toast the nuts for extra flavor.

Try rolling the logs in shredded coconut, refrigerate for 1 hour or so and then cut into cookies. Coconut toasts well while baking and gives these cookies more zip.

(Taste of Home)