Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

There was a patient at the office who used to bring batches of these cookies around Christmastime. They became famous in our office because we couldn’t believe that such a frail, elderly lady had the stamina to stand in front of the oven for days on end as she must have done, baking all of these cookies for her family and friends. She was so slouch either- each one was perfectly shaped, sliced and baked to perfection. This version pales in comparison to hers but it was the closest I could come. Try them for yourself and see why these cookies became such an obsession!

Cranberry, Pistachio and Almond Cookies (yields 10 dozen)

1/3 c. finely crushed pistachios

1/3 c. finely crushed almonds

1/3 c. finely chopped dried cranberries

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (include the baking powder this time!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. In a separate bowl, mix together nuts and cranberries. Incorporate with the cookie dough. Once they’ve been mixed in, divide dough in two pieces. Shape each into a log approximately 10 inches long. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet) until very firm, approximately two hours.

Once dough is set, remove from fridge and unwrap plastic wrap. (Reshape the log if it’s looking a little sad.) Using a clean, sharp knife, slice your log into diagonal pieces, approximately 1/8-inch thick. Place on a cookie sheet approximately 1/2-inch apart. Bake in an oven preheated to 350F on a parchment-lined cookie sheet until firm, approximately 12-14 minutes.

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.