It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas...

My first festive bakes of the season, Nigella's white chocolate and cranberry cookies, are finally getting me into the Christmas spirit. Not only are they delicious (I thought I'd better post pictures quickly before they all disappear!) but the juicy cranberries always make me think of Christmas. Of course, storing them in my delightful reindeer tin (from Poundland - I kid you not!) helps a great deal.

You can find the recipe below (or in Nigella's Christmas Kitchen cook book) - I always substitute the pecans for extra white chocolate chunks!

Inspired to bring some festive cheer to my kitchen this December I also ventured out to good old Primark to pick up a red tablecloth, Santa oven gloves and Christmas tea towels. It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

Next on the list - decorating the tree! My job for this evening!

Xx

Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies
by Nigella Lawson

Makes 30
Ingredients
150g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
75g rolled oats (not instant)
125g soft butter
75g dark brown sugar
100g caster sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
75g dried cranberries
50g pecans, roughly chopped
150g white chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 180oC/ 350°F/gas mark 4.

Put the butter and sugars into a bowl and beat together until creamy then beat in the egg and vanilla.

Beat in the flour, baking powder, salt and oat mixture and then fold in the cranberries, chopped pecans and chocolate chips (I usually skip the pecans and add extra chocolate...yum!)

Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into a ball with your hands, and then place them on a lined or greased baking sheet and squish the dough balls down with a fork. You will need two baking sheets.

Cook for 15 minutes; when ready, the cookies will be tinged a pale gold, but be too soft to lift immediately off the tray, so leave the tray on a cool surface and let them harden for about 5 minutes. Remove with a spatula to cool fully on a wire rack.