Cranberry Tarts

Whether they’re baked into bread, cooked in sauce, or strung with popcorn and hung on the Christmas tree, cranberries are an integral part of holiday celebrations. Their mouth-puckering flavor is the perfect counterpoint to a menu of rich holiday food and their ruby-red color is just so festive—two good reasons why we keep finding more ways to enjoy them. In this week’s cookie recipe, dried cranberries are simmered with orange juice until tender, then chopped fine and sealed between two layers of orange-scented cookie dough. Because the filling is tart and the cookies only lightly sweetened, they get a drizzle of glaze. These cranberry tarts are just the right size for a snack or small dessert. Try them—I’m sure you’ll love them.

Ann
Ann Clark, Ltd.

Cranberry Tarts
Makes about 12
To make these cranberry tarts, first make 1 recipe of dough for Sugar Cookies, replacing the vanilla with 1/2 teaspoon orange extract if you like. While the dough chills, make the cranberry filling (below). Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, roll the dough out 1/8 inch thick and cut with your favorite Ann Clark cookie cutter shapes (I used the Snowflake cutter). Place a generous tablespoon of filling on the center of half the cookies and press down gently to flatten and spread the filling. Place the remaining cookies on top of the filled cookies and press all around the edges with your fingertips to seal. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until light golden brown at the edges. Let cool completely, then glaze if desired.

Cranberry Filling
Makes about 1 cup
This makes a lightly sweetened, yet still tart filling. If you prefer a sweeter filling, add the greater amount of sugar. This recipe can easily be doubled; any leftovers can be swirled into coffee cake or muffin batter.

1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
Water

Place cranberries in medium saucepan; add sugar and orange zest. Pour juice into measuring cup and add enough water to measure 1 1/2 cups. Add juice mixture to cranberries, stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, then pulse in food processor until finely chopped, 8 to 10 pulses. Let cool completely.

Glaze
Place 1 cup confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl and whisk in 2 tablespoons cream, half-and-half, or milk, adding more if needed to achieve a smooth, thick, yet just pourable consistency. Use immediately.

My favorite shapes for Cranberry Tarts include the Snowflake cutter, the Tree cutter, and the Sleigh cutter.